Understanding how aging affects breast cancer spread in the lungs
Official title: Adaptations of breast cancer metastasis to the aging lung
Funded at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst · NIH-10910135 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how breast cancer cells grow in the lungs of older women and aims to find new ways to treat them better by understanding how aging affects this process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $252,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AG083720-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10910135 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older women diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly those experiencing metastasis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger or do not have breast cancer may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how breast cancer cells adapt and thrive in the lungs of older women, particularly focusing on the unique challenges posed by aging. It aims to uncover the biological mechanisms that allow these cancer cells to metastasize in the lungs, which is crucial for developing more effective treatments. By studying the interaction between cancer cells and the aging lung environment, the research seeks to identify potential therapeutic targets that could improve outcomes for older breast cancer patients. The approach combines cellular biology and aging research to address a significant gap in current cancer treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options specifically tailored for older women with breast cancer, potentially reducing mortality rates.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research on breast cancer metastasis, the specific focus on aging and its effects on metastasis in the lungs is relatively novel and underexplored.
Where this research is happening
-
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Da Silva Gomes, Ana — H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Da Silva Gomes, Ana
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Prolactin signaling and brain metastasis in HER2-positive breast cancer
Researchers are studying how prolactin signals help HER2-positive breast cancer cells grow in the brain, with the goal of finding new ideas to prevent brain metastases.
-
ER+ Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis in a Real Body Environment
This grant aims to understand why estrogen receptor alpha–positive breast cancer often spreads to bone and how the bone environment and immune system affect treatment resistance.
-
Stable, ultra-tight peptides to block EphB4 and stop TNBC spread
A new peptide-based approach aims to block a cancer molecule called EphB4 to prevent metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer, especially in African American women.
-
How an immune signal in brain support cells helps breast cancer spread to the brain
This project looks at whether a specific immune signal in brain support cells (astrocytes) helps breast cancer cells grow in the brain, aiming to help people with breast cancer that has spread to the brain.
-
How brain support cells' recycling affects breast cancer spread to the brain
This project looks at whether blocking a cell-recycling process in brain support cells can prevent or slow breast cancer that spreads to the brain in people with breast cancer.
-
Understanding how chemotherapy affects breast cancer spread and liver immunity
A research project looks at how standard breast cancer chemotherapy may change the immune system and cancer spread, especially to the liver, in people with aggressive breast cancer.
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.