Common stem cell origin in Barrett's-related cancers
Official title: Common Stem Cell of Origin for Junctional and Gastric Adenocarcinoma
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11416592 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at whether a single stem cell type drives both esophageal and gastric cancers that arise from Barrett’s esophagus, with the aim of finding shared clues to prevent or treat these diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $935,434 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA272906-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416592 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with Barrett’s esophagus or related precancerous changes who may progress to esophageal or gastric cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without Barrett’s esophagus or related precancerous lesions may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how Barrett’s esophagus and its progression to cancer share a common cell origin and genetic pathways, using models that mimic human disease. The project brings together cancer doctors, stem cell experts, and proteomics scientists to map early changes and test potential interventions. By understanding the earliest steps that lead to cancer, the team hopes to identify targets for earlier detection and more effective treatments for patients with Barrett-related cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to earlier detection methods and new therapies tailored to the root cause of these cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has suggested common origins for these cancers, but this project seeks to confirm and expand on that concept with advanced models and proteomics.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mckeon, Frank D. — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Mckeon, Frank D.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how CDH1 loss drives aggressive stomach cancer and how to target it
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Shared stem cell source for lower esophagus and upper stomach cancers
This project looks at whether the same type of stem cell drives cancers that start in Barrett's esophagus and the nearby stomach, with implications for people who have Barrett's esophagus or gastric intestinal metaplasia.
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-
Investigating the common origin of esophageal and gastric cancers
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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.