Understanding how breast cancer cells spread and resist treatment
Vimentin Phospho-Malleability is Critical for Maintaining Stemness and Metastatic Properties
This research aims to understand how breast cancer cells become more aggressive, spread throughout the body, and resist current treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11128524 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Breast cancer often becomes difficult to treat when it spreads to other parts of the body, a process called metastasis. This happens when cancer cells change their properties, becoming more like stem cells, which helps them move and resist therapies. Our team is looking closely at a specific protein called vimentin within these cancer cells. We want to learn how changes to vimentin help these cells become more aggressive and maintain their stem-like qualities. By understanding this process, we hope to find new ways to stop breast cancer from spreading and recurring.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for future patients with metastatic breast cancer who might benefit from new treatment strategies.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancer has not spread or who are not seeking new treatment options for metastatic disease may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new therapies that target aggressive breast cancer cells, potentially preventing metastasis and recurrence.
How similar studies have performed: While the general role of vimentin in cancer cell changes is known, the specific impact of its "phospho-malleability" in hybrid cancer stem cells is a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
Providence, United States
- Brown University — Providence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mani, Sendurai Ayyavoo — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Mani, Sendurai Ayyavoo
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.