Blocking NR4A1 to slow down colorectal cancer and boost immune response
Official title: NR4A1 Antagonists Inhibit Colorectal Cancer Growth and Enhance Immune Surveillance
Funded at Texas A&m University · NIH-11003348 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a new type of medicine can help slow down the growth of colorectal cancer and boost the body's ability to fight it, with the hope of finding better treatment options for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $571,380 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA269580-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003348 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer, particularly those with advanced stages of the disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage colorectal cancer or those without a diagnosis of colorectal cancer may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how NR4A1 antagonists can inhibit the growth of colorectal cancer cells while enhancing the body's immune surveillance against these tumors. The approach involves testing these antagonists in various models to understand their effectiveness in slowing cancer progression and improving treatment outcomes. Patients may benefit from new therapeutic strategies that could be integrated into existing treatment regimens for colorectal cancer. The study aims to identify how these antagonists can work alongside current therapies to provide a more comprehensive treatment plan.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for colorectal cancer, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting similar pathways in cancer treatment, suggesting that this approach could yield significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m University
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Safe, Stephen H. — Texas A&m University
- Study coordinator: Safe, Stephen H.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving colorectal cancer screening and follow-up care.
This study is working to help more people get screened for colorectal cancer and receive the follow-up care they need, especially those who haven't been screened much before, so that everyone can have better access to important health checks and improve their overall health.
-
Colorectal cancer prognosis through a broad, collaborative study
A large, multi-center study follows people newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer to find biomarkers and patterns that predict outcomes and guide future care.
-
Ceramides and how they affect metabolism and colorectal cancer in adults
A study in adults with obesity-related health issues will explore how a fat-related molecule called ceramide influences metabolic problems and colorectal cancer risk.
-
Automated point-of-care DNA methylation test for colorectal cancer in LMICs
A fast, affordable blood test using DNA markers to help identify people at higher risk of colorectal cancer in low- and middle-income countries.
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Rewiring Colorectal Cancer to Harness Therapeutic Hyperactivation
A Yale team is exploring brain-storming new ways to treat colorectal cancer by safely boosting certain cancer signaling pathways to kill cancer cells and by reshaping cancer cell states to improve responses to existing therapies.
-
Comparative modeling to guide colorectal cancer screening and care
A researcher team will use computer models to study how access to care, risk, and new screening options affect colorectal cancer outcomes and costs for adults in the US.
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.