Understanding how breast cancer cells interact with their surroundings to grow
Contributions of FGFR-Mediated Tumor-Stromal Interactions to Breast Cancer Growth and Progression
This project explores how certain signals in breast cancer cells help them grow and spread, aiming to find new ways to stop this process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11095853 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on understanding how signals called Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) and their receptors (FGFR) in breast cancer cells change the area around the tumor, known as the microenvironment. Researchers believe these changes help the cancer grow and progress, contributing to its resistance to current treatments. They are particularly interested in how these signals might affect cholesterol production within tumor cells and how that, in turn, influences immune cells nearby. By understanding these complex connections, we hope to discover new targets for future breast cancer treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational work is for patients interested in the underlying biology of breast cancer and the development of future treatment options.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical trial participation would not directly benefit from this early-stage laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new medications that specifically target the ways breast cancer cells interact with their environment, potentially slowing or stopping tumor growth and progression.
How similar studies have performed: While the FGF/FGFR pathway is known to be involved in cancer, the specific link between FGF/FGFR, cholesterol metabolism, and the immune environment in breast cancer is a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwertfeger, Kathryn L — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Schwertfeger, Kathryn L
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.