How the immune protein IL-27 affects the tumor environment and spread of colorectal cancer
Official title: Cytokine-mediated regulation of immunity and microenvironment in colorectal cancer metastasis
Funded at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-11254894 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether blocking the immune protein IL-27 can help the body's immune system fight metastatic colorectal cancer and slow its spread.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | January 9, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $681,537 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA287786-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11254894 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer (for example liver or peritoneal metastases), especially those with disease not helped by current immunotherapies.
✕Less likely to help
People with early-stage colorectal cancer, other cancer types, or whose tumors do not show IL-27–related changes are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
Researchers will measure IL-27 levels in human colorectal tumors and in laboratory models to see where and when it is elevated. They will use mice lacking the IL-27 receptor and give agents that neutralize IL-27 to observe effects on tumor growth and metastasis. Teams will examine tumor tissues with imaging, cell-type analysis, and advanced gene-expression tests to see how immune cells change when IL-27 is blocked. Human tumor samples will be studied alongside mouse experiments to guide approaches that might translate to future treatments for people with metastatic disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that boost immune attack against metastatic colorectal cancer and reduce tumor spread.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data suggest blocking IL-27 can reduce tumor growth in models, but translating this approach to patients is relatively novel and not yet established.
Where this research is happening
-
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grivennikov, Sergei I — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Grivennikov, Sergei I
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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.