Targeting the bone tumor environment to slow breast cancer spread
Leveraging the metastatic tumor stroma to limit breast cancer progression
This project tries to change the cells and signals in bone that help breast cancer grow to slow or stop cancer spread in people whose breast cancer has reached the bone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11294336 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study the non-cancer cells that surround breast tumors in bone — such as fat cells, immune cells, and senescent (aged) cells — to understand how they help cancer survive and grow. They will use laboratory models, animal models, and analysis of human tumor or bone samples to test ways to block the supportive signals from those stromal cells. The team aims to identify targets that could be turned into new therapies to limit bone metastases. Findings would guide future clinical trials if promising approaches are found.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with breast cancer that has spread to bone, or patients willing to donate tumor or bone tissue for research, would be the most relevant candidates to connect with this work.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage breast cancer that has not metastasized to bone or those needing immediate standard treatments are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this preclinical research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new treatments that slow or prevent breast cancer growth in bone and improve survival and quality of life for patients with metastatic disease.
How similar studies have performed: Related lab and animal studies have shown that targeting stromal or senescent cells can slow tumor growth, but this approach has not yet produced widely proven treatments for patients.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stewart, Sheila a — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Stewart, Sheila a
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.