Improving advanced colon cancer treatment with tiny drug carriers
Official title: Nanodelivery of FP polymers to improve treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11124810 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores new ways to deliver a promising drug, CF10, using tiny particles to better treat advanced colon cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $579,073 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA284083-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11124810 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have not responded well to standard 5-FU based chemotherapy regimens might be ideal candidates for future treatments based on this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage colorectal cancer or other cancer types would likely not directly benefit from this specific treatment approach.
What this research studies
Advanced colon cancer remains very challenging to treat effectively with current chemotherapy drugs like 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Our team has developed a new drug called CF10, which has shown better anti-cancer activity and fewer side effects compared to 5-FU. This research aims to make CF10 even more powerful by packaging it into special lipid nanoparticles or attaching it to targeting molecules. These advanced delivery methods are designed to help the drug stay in the body longer, protect it from breaking down, and specifically guide it to cancer cells, including those that have spread to the liver. The goal is to overcome drug resistance and provide a more effective treatment option for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing side effects compared to current therapies.
How similar studies have gone: While the drug CF10 has shown promise in early tests and lipid nanoparticle delivery is a proven strategy for other drugs, this specific combination and targeting approach is new.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gmeiner, William H. — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Gmeiner, William H.
Related research
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Nanodelivery of FP polymers to improve treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer
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Targeted nanoparticles combining chemotherapy and immune stimulation for advanced colon cancer
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Researchers will follow adults with metastatic colorectal cancer over time to learn what symptoms and quality-of-life issues they experience during treatment and survivorship.
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.