Understanding How Breast Cancer Cells Become Dormant and Reactivate
Epigenetic and metabolic bottlenecks of tumorigenesis
['FUNDING_R01'] · H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CTR & RES INST · NIH-11131273
This project explores how breast cancer cells can 'sleep' after treatment and then 'wake up' later to cause new tumors, aiming to find ways to stop this process.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CTR & RES INST (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (TAMPA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11131273 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Recurrent metastasis, where breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body, is the leading cause of death for patients. After successful initial treatment, some breast cancer cells can enter a dormant state, meaning they are present but not actively growing. These dormant cells can later reactivate, leading to new tumors that are often resistant to standard therapies. Our work focuses on understanding the changes in the cell's genetic material that allow these cells to switch between dormant and active states. By uncovering these mechanisms, we hope to develop new strategies to prevent breast cancer from returning.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who have been treated for breast cancer and are at risk for recurrence, particularly those whose cancer has a tendency to spread, might ultimately benefit from this research.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage breast cancer that has not spread or those without a risk of recurrence may not directly benefit from this specific research focus on dormancy and metastasis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that prevent dormant breast cancer cells from reactivating, thereby stopping the recurrence and spread of the disease.
How similar studies have performed: While the concept of cancer dormancy is known, this specific approach of targeting histone H3.3 deposition and the HIRA complex as a regulator of dormancy is a novel and promising area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
TAMPA, UNITED STATES
- 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
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.
Conditions: Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Cell, Breast Cancer Patient