NIH Reporter #1R01CA304246-01A1

Modeling Bone Breast Tumor Cell Interactions to Predict and Prevent Metastasis

This award funds the development of 3D in vitro bone models to study breast cancer metastasis to bone, aiming to predict and prevent bone metastasis through biomimetic modeling and therapeutic evaluation.

Description

The project aims to establish a tunable in vitro 3D osteoconductive bone niche to analyze breast cancer cell-bone interactions and assess early interventions to prevent bone metastasis. The bone models will be developed using biomaterials such as PETG, hydroxyapatite, and collagen, with features mimicking healthy and osteoporotic bone conditions. The study will optimize and validate these models against in vivo parameters, including mineral turnover and tumor progression. It will also evaluate the effects of therapeutic modulations on bone density and tumor growth, using mouse models for calibration. The goal is to create biomimetic 3D bone models that support bone homeostasis, cancer cell homing, and proliferation, ultimately aiding in predicting and preventing bone metastasis.

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