Characterization of IL-33–responsive mucosal cells linked to colitis-associated cancer
Official title: Characterization of uniquely-positioned IL-33-responsive mucosal cells in colitis-associated cancer.
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-11371798 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small study will look at how a specific immune signal (IL-33) inside the gut might influence cancer risk for people with ulcerative colitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $403,686 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA305308-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11371798 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
UC patients or UC-associated tissue donors and related animal model studies.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals or UC patients without involvement in the mucosal IL-33/ST2 pathways may not benefit from this work.
What this research studies
This project focuses on ulcerative colitis patients and the gut tissue environment to understand how IL-33 interacts with mucosal cells that could promote or prevent cancer. Researchers will use animal models and tissue samples to explore how ST2, the IL-33 receptor, is expressed in gut cells like myofibroblasts, mast cells, and eosinophils, and how these interactions relate to colitis-associated cancer risk. The findings could reveal targets for preventing progression from chronic inflammation to cancer and may guide future therapies for UC patients. The work emphasizes mechanisms in the colon mucosa that bridge inflammation and tumor development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could identify new ways to reduce colorectal cancer risk in people with ulcerative colitis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show IL-33/ST2 signaling has complex roles in gut inflammation and cancer, with both pro- and anti-tumor effects observed in models.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pizarro, Theresa Torres — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Pizarro, Theresa Torres
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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.