Cholesterol changes in an aggressive form of colorectal cancer
Cholesterol metabolism in mesenchymal colorectal cancer
The team will explore whether cutting off tumor cholesterol production reveals new treatment targets for people with aggressive mesenchymal colorectal cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235118 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers found that loss of certain proteins drives a mesenchymal, hard-to-treat form of colorectal cancer and is linked to increased cholesterol production in tumors. They will use lab models, metabolic tracing in animals, and analysis of patient tumor samples and gene data to track cholesterol pathway activity. The goal is to find tumor weaknesses caused by this cholesterol addiction that could be targeted with drugs. If promising targets are found, the work could guide future clinical tests aimed at patients with this subtype.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with colorectal cancer whose tumors show a mesenchymal/CMS4 signature or high activity of cholesterol-making pathways, typically microsatellite-stable tumors.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors are a different subtype (for example, MSI-high tumors) or who do not show elevated tumor cholesterol pathway activity are less likely to benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that slow or shrink aggressive mesenchymal colorectal tumors by targeting tumor cholesterol pathways.
How similar studies have performed: Early laboratory and preclinical studies have linked cholesterol metabolism to cancer growth and the investigators' preliminary data support this approach, but targeting cholesterol in mesenchymal colorectal cancer is still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moscat, Jorge — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Moscat, Jorge
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.