Understanding how cancer cells change and interact in tumors
Official title: Single-Cell, Spatial and Functional Dissection of Cancer Cell States, Co-Evolving Ecosystems, and Vulnerabilities During Tumor Progression and Metastasis
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11171865 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cancer cells behave and interact with their surroundings in tumors, which could help us understand why some cancers grow and resist treatment, ultimately aiming to create better, personalized therapies for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $349,808 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA274506-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11171865 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with aggressive cancers that show limited response to current therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancers or those that are easily treatable may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex behaviors of cancer cells within tumors, focusing on how these cells can exist in different states and how they interact with their environment. By using advanced techniques to analyze these interactions at a single-cell level, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that lead to cancer progression and resistance to treatment. Patients may benefit from insights gained about the tumor microenvironment, which could lead to more effective therapies tailored to individual cancer profiles.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment strategies that improve outcomes for patients with aggressive cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding tumor microenvironments and their impact on treatment resistance, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Izar, Benjamin — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Izar, Benjamin
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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.