Better ways to find colon and esophagus cancers early
Biomarkers for optimizing risk prediction and early detection of cancers of the colon and esophagus
This project develops and validates biological markers to find colorectal and esophageal cancers earlier in people at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11167425 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers are looking for patterns in blood, stool, and tissue that signal high-risk colon polyps and Barrett's esophagus changes that can lead to cancer. They will compare samples from people with and without precancerous changes to identify markers linked to greater risk. Promising markers will be tested in certified CLIA labs and combined into risk tools to guide who needs closer surveillance or earlier colonoscopy. The aim is to reduce missed cancers and avoid unnecessary procedures by making screening and follow-up more precise.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates include people with Barrett's esophagus, a personal history of adenomas, a strong family history of colorectal cancer, or other reasons to be in GI surveillance programs.
Not a fit: People without GI symptoms or risk factors who are not undergoing screening are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help catch colorectal and esophageal cancers earlier and tailor surveillance so fewer cancers are missed and fewer people undergo unneeded tests.
How similar studies have performed: Previous approaches such as stool DNA tests, fecal immunochemical tests, and circulating tumor DNA have shown promise but are still imperfect, and this project aims to build on and improve those methods.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grady, William Mallory — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Grady, William Mallory
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.