ColoCare: following people with colorectal cancer to find blood and microbiome signs
Official title: Transdisciplinary Team Science in Colorectal Cancer Prognosis: the ColoCare Study
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11388062 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project follows people newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer and collects blood, stool, urine, and tumor samples to find markers that help predict outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2016 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $91,144 |
| NIH project number | 3U01CA206110-10S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11388062 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are people newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer who can provide clinical information and biospecimens and agree to regular follow-up visits or sample collections.
✕Less likely to help
People without colorectal cancer, those diagnosed long ago, or those unwilling/unable to give biospecimens or participate in follow-up are unlikely to get direct benefit from joining.
What this research studies
You would be enrolled soon after a colorectal cancer diagnosis and asked to provide medical information and biospecimens (tumor tissue, blood, stool, urine) at several time points while researchers track your health over years. The study combines lifestyle and behavioral data with lab analyses of blood and microbiome samples to look for molecular signs tied to recurrence, survival, and patient-reported outcomes. It is a multi-center effort that has already enrolled over 3,000 participants and routinely follows them for clinical events. Findings are intended to guide treatment choices, follow-up care, and the development of new interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to tests that better predict who is at higher risk of recurrence and help personalize follow-up and treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous cohort studies have found some prognostic markers, but combining detailed lifestyle data with serial blood, stool, and tissue samples across many centers is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ulrich, Cornelia M — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Ulrich, Cornelia M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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Body fat, muscle, and clot-related inflammation in colorectal cancer outcomes
This project uses AI analysis of CT scans plus blood and tumor tests to link patterns of fat and muscle with clotting-related inflammation that may change outcomes for people with colorectal cancer.
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ColoCare: colorectal cancer survivorship and prognosis
This project follows people newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer to find blood, tissue, stool, and lifestyle markers that help predict outcomes.
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ColoCare: tracking health and recovery after colorectal cancer
This project follows people with colorectal cancer over time to find blood, stool, and tissue signs that predict recovery and long-term outcomes.
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Investigating how body fat affects colorectal cancer outcomes
This study is looking at how being overweight might affect the outcomes of colorectal cancer by using special technology to get a better picture of body fat and muscle, and it hopes to find new ways to help treat patients based on their unique needs.
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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.
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.