How disrupted body clocks relate to colorectal cancer
Circadian Clock Disruption and Colorectal Cancer
This project looks at whether disruptions to the body's daily clock can promote colorectal cancer, with attention to early-onset cases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11227155 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using a genetically engineered mouse model to mimic circadian clock disruption in the intestinal lining. They will examine how losing normal daily rhythms alters cell division, metabolism, and immune signaling in the gut that could encourage tumor growth. Experiments include tissue analyses and molecular assays in the lab alongside comparison to human data linking shift work and early-onset colorectal cancer. The team aims to map the signaling pathways that connect circadian disruption to cancer progression so timing-based prevention or treatments can be explored.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with colorectal cancer—especially those diagnosed before age 50 or with a history of night-shift work or chronic sleep disruption—would be the most relevant group for these findings.
Not a fit: Individuals without colorectal cancer or those seeking immediate changes to their current care are unlikely to receive direct, near-term benefits from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal why disrupted sleep or shift work raises colon cancer risk and point to timing-based prevention or treatment strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Epidemiological studies link night-shift work and circadian disruption to higher cancer risk, but detailed mechanistic and translational evidence in colorectal cancer is still limited, so this approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Masri, Selma — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Masri, Selma
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 below.