NIH R01 · 2025
Targeting the metastasis initiating cell in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma
Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is a soft tissue sarcoma, with one of the worst prognosis. We will build on our discovery that UPS contains a small subpopulation of metastasis initiating cells (MCs) that are enhanced for their ability to form metastasis. Our proof of principle data showed that targeting genes differentially expressed in the MC population inhibits metastasis in UPS tumors established as xenografts in mice. In our preliminary data, we show that epigenetic changes distinguish the MC from the rest of the UPS cell populations. Furthermore, we found that individual cell populations in UPS produce secreted factors that influence behavior of other cell UPS cell…
From the public funding record at NIH RePORTER. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.