How LRG1 helps colorectal cancer grow and spread to the liver
Role of LRG1 in colorectal cancer tumorigenesis
This project looks at whether a protein called LRG1 from liver blood vessel cells turns on HER3 and helps colorectal cancer grow and spread to the liver to help people with metastatic colorectal cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11257296 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my point of view, researchers are studying a protein called LRG1 that liver blood vessel cells release and how it may make colorectal cancer grow and spread in the liver. They will use lab tests with cancer cells, molecular binding studies, and mouse models of liver metastasis to see how LRG1 binds and activates HER3. The team will also examine tumor and blood samples to connect the lab findings to human disease. They will test whether blocking LRG1 slows tumor growth in animals and map the signaling steps involved.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with colorectal cancer, especially those with or at high risk for liver metastases, are the population most likely to benefit from therapies developed from this research.
Not a fit: Patients without colorectal cancer or whose tumors do not rely on HER3/LRG1 signaling are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that block LRG1-HER3 signaling and slow or prevent liver metastases in colorectal cancer patients.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical mouse experiments reported by the team showed that blocking LRG1 reduced tumor growth and improved survival in models, but human testing of LRG1-targeting therapies is still new.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Case Western Reserve University — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Rui — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Wang, Rui
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.