Developing a special hydrogel to understand how the tumor environment affects colorectal cancer
Official title: A 4D-tunable hydrogel for the study of the impact of the tumor microenvironment on the development of colorectal cancer
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10856294 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a special gel that mimics the environment around tumors to better understand how colorectal cancer develops, which could help improve prevention and treatment for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $512,478 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA289291-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10856294 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for colorectal cancer, particularly those with adenomas or polyps.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced colorectal cancer or those not at risk for developing colorectal cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a unique hydrogel that mimics the tumor microenvironment (TME) to investigate how changes in this environment contribute to the development of colorectal cancer. By using advanced biomaterials and 4D-tuning techniques, researchers aim to replicate the physical and chemical conditions that influence cancer initiation from adenomas or polyps. The project involves a collaborative team of experts in various fields, including materials science and oncology, to optimize this hydrogel for studying cancer progression. Patients may benefit from insights gained about the TME's role in colorectal cancer, potentially leading to improved prevention and treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and new strategies for preventing and treating colorectal cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using biomaterials to study cancer environments, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Allbritton, Nancy L. — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Allbritton, Nancy L.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Ceramides and how they affect metabolism and colorectal cancer in adults
A study in adults with obesity-related health issues will explore how a fat-related molecule called ceramide influences metabolic problems and colorectal cancer risk.
-
Automated point-of-care DNA methylation test for colorectal cancer in LMICs
A fast, affordable blood test using DNA markers to help identify people at higher risk of colorectal cancer in low- and middle-income countries.
-
Rewiring Colorectal Cancer to Harness Therapeutic Hyperactivation
A Yale team is exploring brain-storming new ways to treat colorectal cancer by safely boosting certain cancer signaling pathways to kill cancer cells and by reshaping cancer cell states to improve responses to existing therapies.
-
Comparative modeling to guide colorectal cancer screening and care
A researcher team will use computer models to study how access to care, risk, and new screening options affect colorectal cancer outcomes and costs for adults in the US.
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.