Understanding how brain cells affect cancer cell dormancy
Defining and characterizing microenvironmental drivers of disseminated tumor cell dormancy in brain
This study is looking at how certain brain cells help keep breast cancer cells that have spread to the brain in a resting state, which is important for preventing them from growing again, and it aims to find new ways to help keep these cancer cells dormant for longer in patients with breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10821383 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain brain cells, specifically astrocytes, influence the dormancy of breast cancer cells that have spread to the brain. The researchers aim to understand the microenvironment of the brain and how it keeps these cancer cells in a dormant state, which is crucial for preventing the development of brain metastases. By analyzing clinical specimens and conducting experiments, they hope to identify mechanisms that could be targeted for new therapies to maintain this dormancy indefinitely. This work could lead to significant advancements in the treatment and management of breast cancer patients with brain metastases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with breast cancer who are at risk of developing brain metastases.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers that do not metastasize to the brain or those who are not diagnosed with breast cancer may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that prevent the growth of breast cancer cells in the brain, improving outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in understanding dormancy mechanisms in different metastatic sites, but this specific focus on the brain is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ghajar, Cyrus M — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Ghajar, Cyrus M
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.