Asparagine and why colorectal tumors may grow differently in women
Role and Regulation of Asparagine in Colorectal Cancer
This work looks at whether high levels of the nutrient asparagine help colorectal tumors grow faster in women and if stopping its production could slow those tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251546 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will compare tumor samples from men and women to measure asparagine and the enzyme that makes it (ASNS). They will run lab experiments in colorectal cancer cells and use mouse models to see what happens when ASNS is turned off. The team will study how estrogen signaling through the GPER1 receptor might drive higher asparagine production in female tumors. Together these approaches aim to explain sex differences in advanced colorectal cancer and point to possible treatment targets for women.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women with advanced (stage III–IV) colorectal cancer, especially those whose tumors show high ASNS or asparagine levels, would be the most relevant group.
Not a fit: Men, people with early-stage disease, or patients whose tumors do not rely on asparagine/GPER1 signaling may not gain direct benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to treatments that block asparagine production or estrogen-linked signals to slow tumor growth in women with advanced colorectal cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work has shown that reducing ASNS can slow tumor growth in mice, but linking this pathway to poorer outcomes specifically in women with advanced colorectal cancer is a new finding.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Caroline Helen — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Caroline Helen
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.