Stopping the interactions between cancer, nerves, and immune cells that let tumors grow in the brain
Official title: Deconvolution and interruption of the cancer-neuro-immune axis facilitating brain metastases
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11174229 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program aims to find and block the signals between cancer cells, brain cells, and the immune system that let cancers spread to and grow in the brain, to help people with cancers at risk of brain metastases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,479,602 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA261717-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11174229 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with cancers known to spread to the brain or patients who already have brain metastases, especially those receiving care at or willing to travel to participating centers.
✕Less likely to help
People with cancers that very rarely spread to the brain or those seeking immediate approved therapies may not see direct benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This consortium brings together brain and cancer experts to collect and study human brain tumor tissue and related samples, and to share those specimens and technologies across labs. Researchers use advanced lab models, CRISPR-based screening, and immune and nervous system analyses to pinpoint what helps cancer cells colonize the brain. Core facilities make patient samples and cutting-edge tools widely available so findings can move toward new treatments. The overall goal is to discover targets that can be blocked to prevent or treat brain metastases and improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat brain metastases, improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Related work targeting tumor microenvironments and immune interactions has shown promise, but this integrated human-focused approach combining CRISPR screens and neuro-immune studies is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hayden Gephart, Melanie — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Hayden Gephart, Melanie
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding and interrupting brain metastasis in cancer patients
A national research effort at Stanford aims to understand why cancer spreads to the brain and to develop ways to interrupt it, with the goal of improving survival and quality of life for people with cancer.
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Understanding how brain metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer is shaped by tumor-immune interactions
A patient-focused program aims to learn why TNBC spreads to the brain and how the immune system interacts with those cancer cells, with a focus on women of African ancestry.
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AI-driven automatic treatment planning for brain metastases radiotherapy
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Aims to understand how hormone therapy and radiation together help the body fight breast cancer that has spread to the brain, especially in younger women.
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Personalized brain metastases risk map to guide radiotherapy
A new approach uses personal MRI data to predict where brain metastases might develop so radiation can target high-risk areas and spare healthy brain tissue.
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.