BVES protein in colorectal cancer: stopping tumor spread by stabilizing cell junctions
Official title: Modulation of junctional signaling by BVES in colorectal carcinoma.
Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-11412317 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how BVES, a protein at cell junctions, prevents colorectal cancer cells from becoming more aggressive and how restoring BVES could lead to new ways to stop tumor growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 2I01RD001496-13A2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412317 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with colorectal cancer or those at risk who may benefit from future diagnostics or treatments targeting BVES-related pathways.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without colorectal cancer or those not influenced by BVES-related mechanisms may not benefit.
What this research studies
Colorectal cancer affects many patients in the U.S., including those treated within the VA system. The project studies BVES, a junctional protein, and its role in suppressing malignant traits in colorectal cancer cells. Researchers are using 3D cell culture and other advanced models to understand how BVES coordinates signaling to keep cells from growing uncontrollably and invading surrounding tissues. The goal is to identify new targets for diagnosis or therapy based on BVES-related pathways. This work builds on prior findings that BVES loss increases tumor burden in animal models, suggesting a tumor-suppressor role that could be leveraged clinically.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new biomarkers or therapies that strengthen cell junctions to slow or prevent colorectal cancer progression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show BVES loss is linked to worse colorectal cancer phenotypes and BVES restoration reduces tumor-like behavior in cells.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Health Administration
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Williams, Christopher S. — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Williams, Christopher S.
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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.