Understanding how cancer cells spread and remain dormant before forming metastases
Official title: Investigating disseminated cancer cell clonal cooperation and immune control in dormancy and metastasis
Funded at Albert Einstein College of Medicine · NIH-11092792 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain cancer cells can hide out in the body before they start to grow again, especially in the lungs, and it aims to understand how these hidden cells interact with other cancer cells and the immune system, which could help find new ways to stop cancer from spreading.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project start | May 21, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $693,712 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA284085-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11092792 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with early-stage cancer who may be at risk of metastasis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced metastatic cancer or those who are not currently undergoing treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the behavior of cancer cells that can spread from the primary tumor and enter a dormant state before potentially forming metastases. It aims to uncover how these early disseminated cancer cells (eDCCs) interact with later arriving cancer cells and the immune system, particularly in the lungs. By utilizing advanced techniques like genetic lineage tracing and single-cell RNA sequencing, the study seeks to identify the mechanisms that allow these cells to evade immune detection and remain dormant for extended periods. The findings could lead to new strategies for targeting dormant cancer cells and preventing metastasis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments that prevent cancer metastasis and improve patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding cancer cell dormancy and immune evasion, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aguirre-Ghiso, Julio a. — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Aguirre-Ghiso, Julio 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.