How stem cells and nearby tissues drive cancers of the stomach, esophagus, colon, and pancreas
Official title: The role of stem cells and the microenvironment in gastrointestinal cancers
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11175365 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at how stem cells and surrounding tissues, including nerves, change during long-term inflammation and lead to gastrointestinal cancers so people with conditions like gastritis, Barrett's esophagus, colitis, or pancreatitis might benefit from better prevention or early detection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | January 7, 2016 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $986,058 |
| NIH project number | 5R35CA210088-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11175365 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with chronic gastrointestinal inflammatory conditions or known precancerous changes—such as chronic gastritis, Barrett's esophagus, inflammatory bowel disease, or chronic pancreatitis—who could provide samples or join related clinical efforts.
✕Less likely to help
People without chronic GI inflammation or those with widely metastatic, end-stage disease are unlikely to see direct benefit from this basic-science work in the near term.
What this research studies
This Columbia lab follows how chronic inflammation changes stem and progenitor cells in the gut and pancreas and how nearby stromal cells and nerves influence that process. They use genetic lineage tracing, 3‑D organoid models, and single‑cell RNA sequencing combined with advanced bioinformatics to map which cells transition from normal repair to persistent cancerous growth. The team focuses on preneoplastic conditions such as chronic gastritis, esophagitis (Barrett's), colitis, and pancreatitis to capture early events. A special emphasis is on how the peripheral nervous system (sensory, sympathetic, parasympathetic nerves) modulates both epithelial and stromal behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent, detect, or target early-stage gastrointestinal cancers by interrupting harmful stem-cell or nerve-driven changes.
How similar studies have gone: Organoid systems and single-cell sequencing have already produced important insights into early GI cancer biology, while the specific role of nerves is a newer area with promising but less-established results.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Timothy Cragin — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Wang, Timothy Cragin
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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.