Creating a 3D model to test treatments for colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver
Official title: 3D Engineered Model of Microscopic Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis for Adjuvant Chemotherapy Screens
Funded at Texas Engineering Experiment Station · NIH-10746101 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a special 3D model of the liver to help find better treatments for colorectal cancer that has spread there, using real patient cells to test different chemotherapy options that could target hidden cancer cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Engineering Experiment Station NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $303,546 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA269224-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10746101 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are colorectal cancer patients who have developed liver metastasis and are undergoing treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with colorectal cancer who do not have liver metastasis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a three-dimensional engineered model that mimics the liver environment affected by colorectal cancer metastasis. By using patient-derived cells and specialized scaffolds, the researchers aim to create a platform that can accurately replicate microscopic residual disease that often goes undetected. The goal is to screen various adjuvant chemotherapy treatments to find effective options that can eliminate these hidden cancer cells. This innovative approach may lead to more effective therapies for patients with colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for colorectal cancer patients, potentially reducing recurrence rates after surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using engineered models for cancer treatment testing, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Engineering Experiment Station
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Raghavan, Shreya — Texas Engineering Experiment Station
- Study coordinator: Raghavan, Shreya
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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3D lab model of tiny colorectal cancer spots in the liver to test post-surgery chemotherapy
The project creates 3D liver models with tiny colorectal cancer metastases to test which chemotherapy drugs might help prevent recurrence after surgery.
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CHD1Li-enhanced Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer
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-
Understanding how chemotherapy affects breast cancer spread and liver immunity
A research project looks at how standard breast cancer chemotherapy may change the immune system and cancer spread, especially to the liver, in people with aggressive breast cancer.
-
Fibroblasts in brain metastases help cancer grow and hide from treatment
In people with cancer that has spread to the brain, researchers are studying how lung cancer–driven fibroblasts in the brain help cancer cells grow, resist standard therapies, and dampen the immune response.
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How the LIN28B protein affects colorectal cancer cell behavior and spread
Researchers are learning how the LIN28B protein changes cell identity and helps colorectal cancer cells spread, with the goal of helping people with colorectal cancer.
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Finding the tumor cells that start colorectal cancer spread
Researchers will look for the specific tumor cell populations that seed liver metastases in people with colorectal cancer who have surgery.
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.