Understanding how bladder cancer changes as it becomes more aggressive
Official title: Investigating mechanisms of tumor plasticity in human bladder cancer
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10980870 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how bladder cancer changes from a less serious form to a more aggressive one, and it aims to understand how these changes affect how well treatments, like a drug called enfortumab vedotin, work; if you're a patient, your tumor samples could help us learn more about this process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $476,991 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA282785-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10980870 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with bladder cancer, especially those whose disease has progressed to a muscle-invasive stage.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancerous bladder conditions or those with very early-stage bladder cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the molecular changes that occur in bladder cancer as it progresses from a non-invasive to a muscle-invasive form. By analyzing tumor samples and using patient-derived organoids, the team aims to uncover the mechanisms behind tumor plasticity, which is the ability of cancer cells to change their characteristics. The study focuses on specific proteins that influence this plasticity and how these changes can affect treatment responses, particularly to a drug called enfortumab vedotin. Patients may be involved in providing tumor samples that help researchers understand these processes better.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for bladder cancer patients, particularly those with advanced disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding tumor plasticity and its implications for treatment, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shen, Michael M. — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Shen, Michael M.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Molecular clues to bladder cancer cell changes and therapy response
This NIH grant looks at how bladder cancer cells change their identity and how that affects response to treatment, with a focus on aggressive neuroendocrine variants.
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Repurposing spironolactone to treat bladder cancer inside the bladder
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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.