How LIF (a signaling protein) helps colorectal cancer grow
The role of leukemia inhibitory factor in colorectal cancer
This project asks if the protein LIF helps intestinal cancer stem cells grow and makes colorectal cancer harder to treat in people with the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11285379 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I take part, researchers will study LIF, a protein often found at higher levels in colorectal tumors, to understand how it supports tumor-initiating stem-like cells. They will work with patient tumor samples and blood plus laboratory cell models and mouse models to track how LIF changes lipid metabolism and stem cell behavior. The team will also examine how LIF interacts with the tumor suppressor p53 and the intestinal stem cell niche. The aim is to find mechanisms that let some cancer cells survive and resist treatment so future therapies can target them.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with colorectal cancer who can provide tumor tissue or blood samples or who receive care at sites collaborating with Rutgers.
Not a fit: People without colorectal cancer or whose tumors do not show elevated LIF are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets or biomarkers to block LIF-driven cancer stem cells and help prevent tumor growth or treatment resistance.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and clinical studies have linked high LIF levels to worse outcomes and stem-cell support in colorectal cancer, but therapies that directly target LIF in patients remain largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Wenwei — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Hu, Wenwei
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.