Understanding how cancer cells change metabolism to spread to other organs
Mathematical modeling of metabolism rewiring in cancer eco-evolution and metastasis tropism
This study is looking at how breast cancer cells change their energy use to spread to other parts of the body, like the lungs and bones, in hopes of finding new ways to stop this from happening and improve treatment options for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11003296 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing mathematical models to explore how cancer cells, particularly those from breast tumors, alter their metabolism to successfully spread to other organs like the lungs, brain, and bones. By examining the metabolic changes in both the primary tumor and its metastatic cells, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that allow these cells to thrive in different environments. The approach includes analyzing metabolic gradients and how they influence the behavior of cancer cells, potentially leading to new insights into preventing and treating metastatic cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with breast cancer who may be at risk of metastasis to other organs.
Not a fit: Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those whose cancer has already metastasized extensively may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating metastatic cancer by targeting the metabolic adaptations of cancer cells.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in understanding cancer metabolism, but this specific approach using mathematical modeling is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xavier, Joao — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Xavier, Joao
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.