Understanding how lymph nodes influence cancer spread
Official title: Project 2 Human Tumor Analysis
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-10931495 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the surroundings of lymph nodes might help cancer spread in people with head and neck or lung cancer, with the hope of finding new ways to treat these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $482,856 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA274511-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10931495 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma or lung adenocarcinoma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers not related to the lymph node environment or those without metastatic disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the environment of lymph nodes can affect the spread of cancer throughout the body. By examining changes in lymph nodes that may promote metastasis, the study aims to identify new biomarkers and potential drug targets. Using advanced imaging techniques and single-cell RNA sequencing, researchers will analyze tumor microenvironments in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma. The goal is to uncover the interactions between cancer cells and their surrounding tissues to develop better treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new ways to prevent or treat metastatic cancer, improving survival rates for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding tumor microenvironments and their role in cancer progression, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Plevritis, Sylvia Katina — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Plevritis, Sylvia Katina
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Multimodal AI to predict CAR-T patient response and guide safer, smarter cell design
A Stanford team is building AI tools that use patient and CAR-T cell data to predict how well a CAR-T therapy will work and what design changes might boost effectiveness and safety for people with cancer.
-
Community-driven model to reduce overdose deaths through smarter resource use
A Stanford-led project uses a data-driven model to help counties pick the best ways to prevent opioid and stimulant overdoses and save lives.
-
Center for Dissemination and Implementation at Stanford: Research Core
A Stanford-based program is advancing how evidence-based addiction treatments are implemented across settings to help people with substance use disorders receive better care.
-
Center for Dissemination and Implementation At Stanford (C-DIAS)
A center-based program at Stanford aims to speed people who need addiction treatments to get evidence-based care.
-
Mitochondrial structure and neuron health in Alzheimer's and ALS
This grant studies how mitochondrial cristae structure in neurons is controlled and how its disruption may contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS.
-
Pediatric EMS seizures: simpler age-based midazolam dosing
A nationwide trial at EMS agencies tests whether using fixed, age-based dosing of midazolam for seizures in children improves treatment speed and safety.
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.