NIH-funded research U01 cooperative agreement

Investigating colorectal cancer risk factors among Alaska Native people

Official title: Building a Cancer Epidemiology Cohort to Investigate Factors Associated with Higher Risk of Colorectal Cancer among Alaska Native People

Funded at Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium · NIH-10894545 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking to find out why Alaska Native people have higher rates of colorectal cancer, and it will involve 1,000 participants who will get screened with colonoscopies to help discover new ways to prevent this cancer and better understand its risks for everyone, especially younger people in the U.S.

More Colorectal Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionAlaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Anchorage, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2024
Project endJuly 31, 2029
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$447,686
NIH project number1U01CA290673-01
Project IDNIH-10894545 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for participation include Alaska Native individuals aged 21 and older who are scheduled for colonoscopy screening.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not Alaska Native or those who are not eligible for colonoscopy screening may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research aims to understand the reasons behind the high rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) among Alaska Native people, who experience significantly higher incidence and mortality rates compared to other populations. The study will establish a cohort of 1,000 individuals who will be enrolled before undergoing colonoscopy screening at various locations, including Anchorage and regional Tribal hospitals. By identifying new risk factors for CRC, the research seeks to inform prevention strategies and improve risk prediction for this population. The study will also explore broader implications for understanding CRC risk in younger individuals across the U.S.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies and risk assessment for colorectal cancer among Alaska Native people.

How similar studies have gone: This research is novel as it is the first cohort study specifically investigating colorectal cancer risk factors among Alaska Native people, although similar epidemiological studies have shown success in other populations.

Where this research is happening

  • Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
    Anchorage, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Redwood, Diana — Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
  • Study coordinator: Redwood, Diana

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Improving colorectal cancer screening and follow-up care.

    This study is working to help more people get screened for colorectal cancer and receive the follow-up care they need, especially those who haven't been screened much before, so that everyone can have better access to important health checks and improve their overall health.

    NIH research Research Triangle Institute · Research Triangle Park, United States · NIH-9627071

  • Colorectal cancer prognosis through a broad, collaborative study

    A large, multi-center study follows people newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer to find biomarkers and patterns that predict outcomes and guide future care.

    NIH research Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · Salt Lake City, United States · NIH-11590756

  • Ceramides and how they affect metabolism and colorectal cancer in adults

    A study in adults with obesity-related health issues will explore how a fat-related molecule called ceramide influences metabolic problems and colorectal cancer risk.

    NIH research Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · Salt Lake City, United States · NIH-11535283

  • Automated point-of-care DNA methylation test for colorectal cancer in LMICs

    A fast, affordable blood test using DNA markers to help identify people at higher risk of colorectal cancer in low- and middle-income countries.

    NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11531863

  • Rewiring Colorectal Cancer to Harness Therapeutic Hyperactivation

    A Yale team is exploring brain-storming new ways to treat colorectal cancer by safely boosting certain cancer signaling pathways to kill cancer cells and by reshaping cancer cell states to improve responses to existing therapies.

    NIH research Yale University · New Haven, United States · NIH-11505210

  • Comparative modeling to guide colorectal cancer screening and care

    A researcher team will use computer models to study how access to care, risk, and new screening options affect colorectal cancer outcomes and costs for adults in the US.

    NIH research Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · Salt Lake City, United States · NIH-11495363

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.