How BRAF changes spark serrated colon cancer, from stem cells
Official title: Mechanisms of Serrated Colon Tumor Suppression
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-11473235 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how a BRAF mutation affects colon stem cells to understand what triggers serrated colon cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | June 8, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $86,048 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA190558-09S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11473235 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with serrated colon lesions or risk factors linked to BRAF mutations could potentially benefit from future diagnostic or preventive advances.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without serrated colon lesions or BRAF-related risk factors may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study the immediate effects of BRAFV600E mutations in colon stem cells to see how tumors start in serrated colon cancer. They will use mouse models and human data to map changes in chromatin and gene regulation driven by pERK and transcription factors like CDX2 and SMAD4. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that could help with earlier detection and better prevention strategies for patients at risk. This work builds on prior findings that BRAF mutations can alter cell identity and tumor suppression, aiming to translate those signals into actionable insights for humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to better ways to detect serrated colon cancer early or identify patients who might benefit from targeted prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed BRAFV600E mutations affect stem cell differentiation and interact with CDX2/SMAD4 to influence tumor development, guiding this continuation.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Verzi, Michael P. — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Verzi, Michael P.
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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.