Understanding how cancer cells change metabolism to spread to other organs
Official title: Mathematical modeling of metabolism rewiring in cancer eco-evolution and metastasis tropism
Funded at Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11003296 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $575,679 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA266068-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003296 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with breast cancer who may be at risk of metastasis to other organs.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those whose cancer has already metastasized extensively may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xavier, Joao — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Xavier, Joao
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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.