Understanding how breast cancer spreads to the brain and spinal cord
Official title: Identifying and exploiting therapeutic vulnerabilities of tumor-host interactions that drive bone-to-meninges breast cancer metastasis
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10931600 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how breast cancer cells can spread to the brain and spinal cord, and it's trying to find new ways to stop this from happening, which could lead to better treatments for patients facing this challenge.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $494,502 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA287772-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10931600 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients with breast cancer who are at risk of developing leptomeningeal metastasis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage breast cancer or those without any signs of metastasis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which breast cancer cells spread to the brain and spinal cord, a process known as leptomeningeal metastasis. The team has discovered a pathway that allows cancer cells to migrate from the bone marrow to the central nervous system, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. By studying this pathway, researchers aim to identify potential therapeutic targets that could prevent or treat this aggressive form of cancer spread. Patients may benefit from new treatments developed from this understanding.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that prevent or treat brain and spinal cord metastases in breast cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding similar metastatic pathways, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sipkins, Dorothy a — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Sipkins, Dorothy a
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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.