Understanding cancer cell states and tumor ecosystems to inform treatment
Official title: Single-Cell, Spatial and Functional Dissection of Cancer Cell States, Co-Evolving Ecosystems, and Vulnerabilities During Tumor Progression and Metastasis
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11415685 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how cancer cells and their surrounding environment evolve together to find better ways to treat aggressive tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $304,521 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA274506-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415685 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with aggressive brain or other solid tumors under care at participating centers may contribute samples or data.
✕Less likely to help
Not all patients will directly benefit; the research is primarily aimed at understanding mechanisms to inform future treatments.
What this research studies
This project looks at how cancer cells change states and how the surrounding tumor environment supports or hinders treatment, using advanced multi-omics and spatial analysis. By mapping these states and their interactions, researchers aim to identify why some cancers resist therapy and progress to metastasis. The work will involve analyzing patient samples and data to uncover actionable patterns that could guide future therapies. The goal is to translate complex biology into strategies that help patients with aggressive cancers respond longer to treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to more effective, personalized therapies and strategies to delay metastasis for patients with aggressive cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous multi-omics and spatial analyses have revealed distinct tumor states and microenvironment interactions that correlate with therapy resistance, supporting the potential of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Izar, Benjamin — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Izar, Benjamin
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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.