Understanding how mechanical signals in tumors affect cancer growth and treatment.
Official title: Methods for characterizing mechanobiology of the tumor microenvironment landscape
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10990122 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the environment around tumors reacts to physical signals, which is important for keeping tissues healthy, and it aims to help cancer researchers develop better treatments and find ways to predict how patients will respond to those treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $222,027 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA289340-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10990122 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with various types of cancer who are undergoing treatment or monitoring for disease progression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those not currently receiving cancer treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how cells in the tumor microenvironment respond to mechanical signals, which is crucial for maintaining healthy tissue. By developing a new algorithm that combines advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to characterize the mechanical properties of tumors in detail. This could help cancer biologists create better drug treatments and assist clinicians in identifying markers that predict cancer risk and treatment response. The approach focuses on analyzing tissue samples at a very fine resolution to uncover insights that are currently lacking in cancer research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cancer treatments and better prediction of cancer outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using mechanical properties of tumors to inform treatment strategies, indicating that this approach could be a valuable advancement in cancer care.
Where this research is happening
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University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Uttam, Shikhar — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Uttam, Shikhar
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.