Why some small tumors switch from dormancy to active growth
Official title: Instability of Cancer Cell States in Tumor progression (ICCS)
Funded at Institute for Systems Biology · NIH-11174440 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The team looks at whether changes in gene activity in individual cancer cells can signal when a small or dormant tumor is about to start growing, which could help people with early-stage or dormant cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Institute for Systems Biology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $507,800 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA255536-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11174440 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with very small, early-stage, or previously dormant tumors or those being monitored for recurrence would be the most relevant candidates for future tests based on this work.
✕Less likely to help
People with advanced, widespread, or rapidly progressing metastatic cancer are unlikely to see direct benefit from this basic, early-stage research in the near term.
What this research studies
Researchers are measuring gene activity in single cancer cells (single-cell transcriptomes) to find signs of “cell state instability” that might warn a tumor is poised to start growing. They combine mathematical theory about “critical transitions” with lab experiments using cultured cells and animal models to change tumor cell density and test whether a computed signal (called IC) rises before escape from dormancy. The work focuses on tiny lesions that may either stay dormant or begin steady growth and seeks a measurable early-warning marker in the cells' gene expression. If successful, these markers could guide monitoring or early interventions for people with small or dormant tumors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help doctors detect which small tumors are likely to start growing so patients could get closer monitoring or earlier treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Applying critical-transition theory to single-cell cancer data is a relatively new, theory-driven approach with some supporting observations but limited clinical proof so far.
Where this research is happening
-
Institute for Systems Biology
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Sui — Institute for Systems Biology
- Study coordinator: Huang, Sui
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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.