Understanding how breast cancer cells spread
Mechanisms of tumor cell clustering in breast cancer metastasis
This research explores how breast cancer cells stick together to spread throughout the body, especially in aggressive forms of the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11144438 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
When breast cancer spreads, cells from the original tumor travel through the bloodstream and form new tumors elsewhere. These traveling cells often clump together, which makes them much more likely to cause new tumors. While we know some ways these cells stick, aggressive breast cancers often use different methods. This project aims to discover these new ways breast cancer cells cluster, focusing on a substance called hyaluronic acid.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for future patients with breast cancer, especially those with aggressive forms where the cancer has a high chance of spreading.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancer has not spread or who have already responded well to existing treatments may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that stop breast cancer from spreading, particularly for aggressive types like triple-negative breast cancer.
How similar studies have performed: While some ways cancer cells stick together are known, this project explores new, alternative mechanisms, suggesting a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheng, Chonghui — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Cheng, Chonghui
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.