What makes lung adenocarcinoma cells invade: the role of Tenascin‑C and ERK
Cancer invasion: reciprocity between the extracellular matrix and intrinsic ERK signaling
This project looks at how the molecules Tenascin‑C and ERK help lung adenocarcinoma cells break away and invade nearby tissue, with the aim of helping people with lung adenocarcinoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319769 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You will hear about lab work that follows tumor cells and the nearby support cells to find who makes Tenascin‑C and what turns it on in early lung adenocarcinoma. The researchers will test whether surrounding fibroblasts make Tenascin‑C when they are stretched and whether Tenascin‑C activates cell surface integrins and ERK inside tumor cells to promote invasion. They will also study ERK targets such as LOK and Ezrin to see how these proteins drive a mesenchymal invasion mode. The experiments use tumor cells, supporting stromal cells, and tissue samples to map the molecular steps that let cancer cells invade.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with lung adenocarcinoma who can donate tumor tissue or enroll in a tissue‑collection or biospecimen protocol at the research site.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers that are not lung adenocarcinoma or those unable to provide tissue samples are unlikely to directly benefit from participation in this grant's activities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets to block tumor invasion and reduce spread in lung adenocarcinoma.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked Tenascin‑C and ERK to tumor invasion, but the specific signaling interactions and downstream effectors proposed here are relatively novel and build on preliminary data.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mendoza, Michelle Christine — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Mendoza, Michelle Christine
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 below.