Understanding how stress affects cancer spread
Official title: Defining brain-body feedback loops mediating stress-induced metastasis
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10973834 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how long-term stress might affect the spread of cancer in the body, especially in breast and pancreatic cancer, to help us understand how stress hormones can change the way our immune system works and possibly influence cancer growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $665,155 |
| NIH project number | 1U01CA293470-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10973834 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients experiencing chronic psychological stress, particularly those with breast or pancreatic cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a cancer diagnosis or those not experiencing significant stress may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between chronic psychological stress and the spread of cancer, particularly focusing on how stress signals are processed in the brain and affect the body's response. By using mouse models of metastatic breast and pancreatic cancer, the team aims to uncover the biological mechanisms that link stress to cancer metastasis. The study will explore how stress hormones influence immune responses, specifically the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps, which may play a role in cancer progression. This interdisciplinary approach seeks to bridge gaps in understanding how stress impacts cancer outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing cancer metastasis by managing stress in patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that stress can influence cancer outcomes, but this specific approach to understanding the mechanisms is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Egeblad, Mikala — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Egeblad, Mikala
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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.