How metabolites affect immune cells in colorectal cancer
Official title: Metabolites regulating macrophage function in colorectal cancer
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10875586 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain substances in colorectal cancer tumors affect immune cells, especially those that help fight off cancer, to find new ways to boost the immune system in patients with this type of cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $74,274 |
| NIH project number | 5R03CA282844-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10875586 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer who may not be responding to current immune therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with colorectal cancer who have already shown a strong response to immune checkpoint inhibitors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how specific metabolites found in colorectal cancer (CRC) tumors influence the behavior of immune cells, particularly macrophages. By analyzing tumor samples, the study aims to understand how these metabolites can create an immune-suppressive environment that hinders effective immune responses. The researchers will explore the relationship between these metabolites and the polarization of macrophages, which may lead to new therapeutic strategies that enhance immune responses in CRC patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve immune responses in colorectal cancer patients, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of existing therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that targeting the tumor microenvironment can improve immune responses, suggesting that this approach may hold promise.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Subramanian, Subbaya — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Subramanian, Subbaya
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving colorectal cancer screening and follow-up care.
This study is working to help more people get screened for colorectal cancer and receive the follow-up care they need, especially those who haven't been screened much before, so that everyone can have better access to important health checks and improve their overall health.
-
Colorectal cancer prognosis through a broad, collaborative study
A large, multi-center study follows people newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer to find biomarkers and patterns that predict outcomes and guide future care.
-
Ceramides and how they affect metabolism and colorectal cancer in adults
A study in adults with obesity-related health issues will explore how a fat-related molecule called ceramide influences metabolic problems and colorectal cancer risk.
-
Automated point-of-care DNA methylation test for colorectal cancer in LMICs
A fast, affordable blood test using DNA markers to help identify people at higher risk of colorectal cancer in low- and middle-income countries.
-
Rewiring Colorectal Cancer to Harness Therapeutic Hyperactivation
A Yale team is exploring brain-storming new ways to treat colorectal cancer by safely boosting certain cancer signaling pathways to kill cancer cells and by reshaping cancer cell states to improve responses to existing therapies.
-
Comparative modeling to guide colorectal cancer screening and care
A researcher team will use computer models to study how access to care, risk, and new screening options affect colorectal cancer outcomes and costs for adults in the US.
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.