extracellular RNA in colorectal cancer: how RNAs travel between cells and impact tumors
Official title: exRNA in colorectal carcinoma: biogenesis and function
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-11265208 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A broad research program at Vanderbilt is studying how extracellular RNAs travel between cancer cells in colorectal cancer and influence tumor growth and treatment response.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | January 22, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,051,494 |
| NIH project number | 2P01CA229123-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11265208 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with colorectal cancer or preclinical models of the disease may benefit from future therapies arising from these findings.
✕Less likely to help
People not affected by colorectal cancer or without related tumor biology may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
This grant explores how RNAs released by cancer cells are packaged and sent to neighboring cells and how these messages affect tumor behavior, immunity, and drug resistance in colorectal cancer. Researchers will map the pathways that control RNA packaging into extracellular vesicles and other carriers and test how these signals alter gene expression in recipient cells. The work uses colorectal cancer as a model to understand fundamental cell-to-cell communication and its impact on disease progression and therapy. Through a mix of molecular biology, cell models, and tumor studies, the team aims to identify new points that could be targeted to improve treatment outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal new biomarkers and therapeutic targets tied to extracellular RNA communication in colorectal cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that extracellular RNA and vesicle-mediated communication can influence tumor behavior, but the specific mechanisms in colorectal cancer are still being clarified.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weaver, Alissa M — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Weaver, Alissa M
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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.