Understanding how cancer cells change and spread
Official title: Deciphering molecular mechanisms of Epithelial Plasticity
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11229906 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cancer cells can change and adapt, which affects how they grow and respond to treatment, and it aims to find new ways to improve cancer therapies by understanding the signals in their environment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $5,577 |
| NIH project number | 3K00CA253718-06S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11229906 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with high-grade breast cancer or other cancers exhibiting features of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancers that do not exhibit EMT characteristics may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how cancer cells can change their characteristics, a process known as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which affects their ability to survive, migrate, and resist treatment. By examining the signals in the tumor microenvironment, the study aims to determine how these signals influence whether cancer cells undergo EMT or revert to their original state. The research utilizes advanced lineage-tracing technology to track the behavior of cancer cells in real-time, providing insights into their movement and survival strategies. This could help identify new therapeutic targets for improving cancer treatment outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer therapies by targeting the mechanisms that allow cancer cells to survive and spread.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding cellular plasticity and EMT can lead to significant advancements in cancer treatment, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baker, Emily Arner — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Baker, Emily Arner
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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.