Blocking alcohol-linked spread of colorectal cancer to the liver
Official title: Novel targeting mechanisms for alcohol-enhanced liver metastasis of colorectal cancer
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-11279481 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tries new nanoparticle medicines to stop colorectal cancer from spreading to the liver in people with heavy alcohol use or alcohol-related liver damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | May 4, 2026 |
| Project end | January 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $368,551 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA032842-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11279481 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with colorectal cancer who have a history of heavy alcohol use or evidence of alcohol-associated liver disease and who are at risk for liver metastases are the most likely candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without colorectal cancer, those whose liver disease is unrelated to alcohol, or patients with widespread, advanced liver metastases may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
The team is developing tiny nanoparticles designed to interrupt signals in the liver that alcohol and cancer cells use to help tumors grow. They will target how the tumor marker CEA activates liver immune cells (macrophages) and stellate cells that remodel liver tissue to favor metastasis. The nanoparticles will be tested and refined in lab experiments and animal models to find formulations that best reduce these prometastatic signals. If those steps work, the researchers will prepare the most promising nanoparticle candidates for future safety testing in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that prevent or slow liver metastases in colorectal cancer patients with alcohol-related liver disease, potentially improving survival and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research shows CEA can drive macrophage-mediated liver metastasis and nanoparticles have shown promise in other cancer settings, but targeting alcohol-driven CEA signaling in the liver is a novel approach not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcvicker, Benita L. — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Mcvicker, Benita L.
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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.