Thursday, January 22, 2026 1/22/2026

Characterizing CAFs in Metastasis as a Function of Breast Cancer Cell Phenotype

Award Number: K00CA264734
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/02/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2026

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Characterizing CAFs in Metastasis as a Function of Breast Cancer Cell Phenotype - Project Summary Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. In addition, metastatic BC has a 5-year survival rate of only 27% and metastases are associated with the vast majority of cancer-related deaths. Recent research has highlighted a complex dynamic between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment as essential for the formation of macrometastases. Within this field, tissue stiffening through matrix accumulation and altered matrix organization were recently linked with sustained proliferation and increased migration of tumor cells. Elevated levels of the glycoprotein fibronectin (FN) have been correlated to poor patient survival in BC and are linked to enhanced seeding of disseminated tumor cells at metastatic sites. My previous work has indicated several mechanisms through which accumulated FN impacts the metastatic potential of BC cells. Foremost, I helped identify a transient increase in extracellular FN in the lungs, which peaked before overt metastasis, coupled with a non-transient increase in total lung volume. I further found that cyclic mechanical force acted as a suppressor of cancer cell growth in a biomimetic lung model, implicating the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) as an attempt by the cancer cells to alter the mechanical properties of the lung tissue and resist entering dormancy. However, my results showed that BC cells could not organize FN into ECM independently. Instead, BC cells altered the accumulation and architecture of FN by conditioning resident fibroblasts through soluble factors and extracellular vesicles. I observed that the FN produced by conditioned fibroblasts varied not only based on the phenotype of the BC cell, but also from the method of conditioning which tested paracrine and endocrine signaling. These preliminary results indicate that unique subtypes of cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) may develop based on the BC cell conditioning mechanism, where unique subtypes may be associated with the specific needs of the various stages of the metastatic cascade. Therefore, Aim 1 of the proposed studies during my Ph.D. research will define the contribution of cyclic strain on BC cell phenotype and dormancy using our novel actuating platform. Aim 2, which I will undertake during my postdoctoral research, will seek to better define the varied roles of CAFs in metastatic progression through the development of a foundation of subtypes after conditioning with media, isolated extracellular vesicles, and contact from BC cancer cells, including metastatic and non-metastatic BC cells with epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes. These findings will enable advanced interaction studies and promote the development of novel targets for fibroblasts, which may be a more consistent target than genetically unstable cancer cells and lead to more effective treatment. In addition, the proposed studies and training plan will expand my current tissue engineering skillset to include advanced understanding of mechanotransduction pathways and CAF formation as well as improve my communication, mentoring, and teaching. Together, these skills will place me as a competitive candidate for an independent principle investigator position in a research university at the intersection of cancer biology and engineering.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $95,477 )
2026	2026	WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY	6100 MAIN ST	HOUSTON	TX	77005	HARRIS	USA	Cancer Research Manpower	000	7	12/9/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$95,477
														Subtotal = $95,477

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $100,656 )
2025	2025	WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY	6100 MAIN ST	HOUSTON	TX	77005	HARRIS	USA	Cancer Research Manpower	000	6	11/27/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$100,656
2025	2024	WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY	6100 MAIN ST	HOUSTON	TX	77005	HARRIS	USA	Cancer Research Manpower	002	5	4/10/2025	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$943
2025	2024	VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY	110 21ST AVE S	NASHVILLE	TN	37203	DAVIDSON	USA	Cancer Research Manpower	001	4	4/10/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$943
														Subtotal = $100,656

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $116,733 )
2024	2024	VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY	110 21ST AVE S	NASHVILLE	TN	37203	DAVIDSON	USA	Cancer Research Manpower	001	4	9/9/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$34,161
2024	2024	WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY	6100 MAIN ST	HOUSTON	TX	77005	HARRIS	USA	Cancer Research Manpower	002	5	9/9/2024	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$62,199
2024	2024	VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY	110 21ST AVE S	NASHVILLE	TN	37203	DAVIDSON	USA	Cancer Research Manpower	000	4	11/16/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$88,695
														Subtotal = $116,733

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $85,860 )
2023	2023	VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY	110 21ST AVE S	NASHVILLE	TN	37203	DAVIDSON	USA	Cancer Research Manpower	000	3	12/1/2022	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$85,860
														Subtotal = $85,860

Grand Total All Awards = $398,726

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Characterizing CAFs in Metastasis as a Function of Breast Cancer Cell Phenotype

Award Number: K00CA264734

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/02/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2026

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer