How blocking a specific protein may help treat colon cancer
Official title: Impact of CLDN1 inhibition on chemoresistance and metastasis of colon cancer
Funded at University of Kansas Medical Center · NIH-11291157 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a protein called claudin-1 that helps colon cancer spread, and it’s testing a new treatment that might make chemotherapy work better and stop the cancer from spreading further, all to help people with advanced colon cancer feel better and live longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | February 12, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $474,168 |
| NIH project number | 7R01CA250383-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11291157 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer who are experiencing resistance to current chemotherapy treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage colon cancer or those who are not resistant to chemotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of claudin-1, a protein that is linked to the spread of colon cancer, and how inhibiting it could reduce resistance to chemotherapy and metastasis. The study involves extensive laboratory work, including tests on cancer cell lines and mouse models, to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed small molecule inhibitor called PDS-0330. By understanding the mechanisms behind claudin-1's influence on cancer progression, the research aims to develop targeted therapies that could improve outcomes for patients with advanced colon cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment options that enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy for colon cancer patients, particularly those with metastatic disease.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in targeting similar pathways in cancer treatment, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dhawan, Punita — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Dhawan, Punita
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeting CLDN1 to overcome chemoresistance and curb metastasis in colon cancer
A new drug candidate that blocks CLDN1 may help people with colon cancer respond better to chemotherapy and reduce spread.
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Stopping colon cancer from spreading to the liver with a new drug approach
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-
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This study is looking at a new way to help prevent liver cancer spread in people with colon cancer by testing a special treatment that works with certain receptors in the body, and it aims to see how well this treatment works alone or with other cancer medicines.
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Investigating how a specific protein affects colon cancer growth and spread
This study is looking at a protein called PTPRT and how changes in it might affect the growth and spread of colon cancer, using special mice to help find new ways to understand and treat the disease.
-
Investigating how sex differences affect colon cancer spread
This study is looking at how a gene called KDM5D affects colon cancer differently in men and women, with the goal of finding new treatments that could help improve survival for all patients.
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.