Improving advanced colon cancer treatment with tiny drug carriers

Nanodelivery of FP polymers to improve treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer

NIH-funded research Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11124810

This project explores new ways to deliver a promising drug, CF10, using tiny particles to better treat advanced colon cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Winston-Salem, United States)
Project IDNIH-11124810 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: 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.

Not a fit: Patients with early-stage colorectal cancer or other cancer types would likely not directly benefit from this specific treatment approach.

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 performed: 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

Winston-Salem, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cancer ModelCancerModel
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.