Understanding how brain cells contribute to breast cancer spreading to the brain
Official title: Roles of Glial Autophagy in Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis
Funded at University of Cincinnati · NIH-11045766 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells help breast cancer spread to the brain, hoping to find new ways to stop or treat this issue for patients with breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $392,409 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA273586-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045766 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are breast cancer patients who are at risk of or have developed brain metastasis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with breast cancer who do not have any brain involvement or metastasis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of glial cells and their autophagy processes in the spread of breast cancer to the brain. By using mouse models, the study examines how these brain cells react to breast cancer cells and how their behavior may influence the progression of brain metastasis. The researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms behind increased autophagy in astrocytes, which are crucial for the growth of breast cancer in the brain. This could lead to new insights into potential therapeutic targets for preventing or treating brain metastasis in breast cancer patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that prevent or reduce the spread of breast cancer to the brain, improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on glial autophagy in breast cancer brain metastasis is novel, related research has shown promising results in understanding cancer metastasis mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Chenran — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Wang, Chenran
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.
-
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.
-
Enhanced Viro-Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis
A study testing a virus-based cancer therapy to help treat breast cancer that has spread to the brain, with focus on boosting the body’s immune response to fight the tumors.
-
NRG3 and breast cancer brain metastasis: what drives spread to the brain and how to stop it
This grant explores how the NRG3 protein helps breast cancer cells spread to the brain and whether this knowledge can lead to new treatments.
-
A shortened GLI1 protein and tiny RNA signals linked to breast cancer spread to the brain
This project looks at whether a shortened form of the GLI1 protein and certain microRNAs help breast cancer cells move to and grow in the brain.
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.