Understanding and stopping osteosarcoma spread
Targeting cooperative mechanisms of metastatic colonization in osteosarcoma
This research aims to understand how osteosarcoma cancer cells spread to the lungs and find new ways to stop them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126581 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
When osteosarcoma cells travel to the lungs, some 'anchor' cells survive by pausing their growth and releasing signals that change the lung tissue. These signals create a 'wound-like' environment that helps other 'growth' cancer cells rapidly multiply and form new tumors. We want to understand how these anchor cells prepare the lungs for cancer growth and if current chemotherapy treatments might accidentally leave these anchor cells behind, allowing the cancer to return. Our goal is to find better ways to target both types of cancer cells to prevent the disease from spreading.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for future patients with osteosarcoma, particularly those at risk of or experiencing metastatic disease in the lungs.
Not a fit: Patients with other types of cancer or those whose osteosarcoma has not spread may not directly benefit from this specific research focus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that prevent osteosarcoma from spreading to the lungs or stop it from returning after initial therapy.
How similar studies have performed: This approach explores a novel hypothesis about how different types of cancer cells cooperate to establish new tumors, building on early data from this research team.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, United States
- Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roberts, Ryan D. — Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
- Study coordinator: Roberts, Ryan D.
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.