Small cell lung cancer interactions with liver blood-vessel cells
Dissecting reciprocal interactions between cancer cells and endothelial cells in SCLC liver metastasis.
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · NIH-11257728
This work looks at whether contact between small cell lung cancer cells and liver blood-vessel cells changes both cell types and points to new treatment targets for people whose cancer has spread to the liver.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11257728 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers will grow cancer cells and blood-vessel (endothelial) cells together in advanced 3D lab models and use a fluorescent tagging tool called G-baToN to record when and how the cells physically touch. They will combine this with genetically edited mouse models and high-throughput tumor barcode sequencing to track how cancer cells spread to and grow in the liver. The team aims to identify the molecular signals exchanged between the two cell types that help tumors survive and expand in the liver. Those signals could become targets for drugs to prevent or slow liver metastases in small cell lung cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a diagnosis of small cell lung cancer—especially those with liver metastases or who can provide tumor or blood samples—would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients without small cell lung cancer or without liver involvement are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this preclinical research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could reveal new molecular targets to stop or slow small cell lung cancer spread to the liver, enabling development of therapies that reduce metastatic growth.
How similar studies have performed: Work in other cancers has shown that endothelial cells influence metastasis and that anti-angiogenic approaches can help, but applying the G-baToN contact-recording method to SCLC liver spread is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES
- WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY — SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: TANG, RUI — WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: TANG, RUI
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.