Understanding how tumor cell clusters contribute to breast cancer spread
Official title: Role of tumor cell cluster-induced signaling in breast cancer metastasis
Funded at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-10880136 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how groups of breast cancer cells work together and resist treatment, with the goal of finding new ways to fight metastatic breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $362,340 |
| NIH project number | 4R37CA234488-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-10880136 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, particularly those with circulating tumor cell clusters.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage breast cancer or those without evidence of tumor cell clusters may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of tumor cell clusters in the spread of breast cancer, focusing on how these clusters behave and communicate with each other. By studying the molecular mechanisms that allow these clusters to resist treatment and proliferate, the researchers aim to identify new therapeutic strategies to combat metastatic breast cancer. The approach includes analyzing the behavior of tumor cells in laboratory models and examining their interactions to uncover potential targets for therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that specifically target and eliminate tumor cell clusters, improving survival rates for breast cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding tumor cell behavior and targeting metastasis, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheung, Kevin Jon — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Cheung, Kevin Jon
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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.