How the PTPRT gene affects colon cancer growth and spread
Official title: Role of PTPRT in colon cancer progression and metastasis
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-11137753 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at whether changes in a gene called PTPRT change how colon cancer grows and spreads, which could help people with colorectal cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | August 24, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $881,958 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA260629-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11137753 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with colorectal cancer—especially those with advanced or metastatic disease or tumors that carry PTPRT mutations—would be most relevant to this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without colorectal cancer or whose tumors do not involve PTPRT-related changes are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
This project studies a gene called PTPRT that can change cancer cell proteins by removing a chemical group called a nitro-group. The team found that loss of PTPRT’s 'denitrase' function raises tumor risk in mice and that PTPRT mutations are more common in metastatic human colorectal cancers. Researchers will use mouse models, cell experiments, and analyses of human tumor data to see how PTPRT-controlled changes to ERK and paxillin affect tumor growth and spread. The work aims to clarify whether these molecular changes could be markers or targets to slow or stop metastasis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new markers or drug targets to help prevent or treat spread of colorectal cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Laboratory and mouse studies support the role of PTPRT denitrase activity in tumor development and some bioinformatics analyses link PTPRT mutations to metastasis, but clinical treatments targeting this pathway are not yet available.
Where this research is happening
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Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Zhenghe — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Wang, Zhenghe
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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.