Immune regulation in colon cancer and its spread to lymph nodes and liver
Official title: Project II: Immune regulatory circuits in primary colon cancer and lymph node and liver metastases
Funded at Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11415153 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly look at how immune system circuits in colorectal cancer and its metastases may influence treatment responses and outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $743,400 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA274492-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415153 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with mismatch repair-proficient colorectal cancer, especially those with primary tumors and metastases in lymph nodes or liver, may be eligible for related future studies or targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-CRC cancers or those not suitable for immune-based approaches may not benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This project studies how immune cells in colon tumors and metastatic sites interact to drive cancer progression and resistance to immunotherapy. Researchers will map immune cell states, especially regulatory T cells and Th17 cells, and how they fit into the tumor’s surrounding environment. They will compare primary tumors with nearby lymph node metastases and distant liver metastases, using human samples and a new mouse model that mimics metastasis. The study combines experimental work and computer analysis to understand why some colorectal cancers don’t respond to current therapies and what could be targeted next.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these immune circuits could lead to new ways to overcome immunotherapy resistance and improve outcomes for colorectal cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows immune cell interactions can influence therapy response, and this project extends that to metastatic sites with advanced models.
Where this research is happening
-
Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rudensky, Alexander Y — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Rudensky, Alexander Y
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Immune cell circuits in primary colon tumors and their lymph node and liver metastases
This project looks at how immune cells and their neighborhoods behave in people with the common pMMR form of colon cancer to find ways to make immunotherapy work better.
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Understanding immune interactions in colon cancer and its spread to lymph nodes and liver
This study is looking at how certain immune cells behave in colon cancer and its spread to lymph nodes and the liver, to help understand why some patients don’t respond well to treatments, and it’s for people with colorectal cancer.
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Colon Cancer Family Registry Cohort study for smarter prevention and care
A large international group is following thousands of people with colorectal cancer and their relatives to better understand risk, causes, and outcomes so future patients can get better guidance and treatment.
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Bioengineered Networking Microbes for Targeted Colon Cancer Therapy
A project tests a engineered bacteria-based therapy designed to target colon tumors and boost the body’s immune response in people with colon cancer.
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TREM2+ macrophages and liver metastases in pancreatic cancer
Researchers are studying immune cells in liver metastases from pancreatic cancer to understand how they influence the cancer’s spread and more effective treatments.
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How DNA methylation patterns are kept in colon cancer and what happens when they’re disrupted
Researchers are studying how the molecular marks that control gene activity are maintained in colon cancer and how breaking these marks affects cancer growth and treatment response.
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.