NIH-funded research R01 grant

Investigating how sex differences affect colon cancer spread

Official title: Sex specific epigenetic regulation of colon cancer metastasis

Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-10698017 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how a gene called KDM5D affects colon cancer differently in men and women, with the goal of finding new treatments that could help improve survival for all patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIndiana University Indianapolis
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Indianapolis, United States)
Project startSeptember 6, 2022
Project endAugust 31, 2028
Funding year2023
Award (this year)$395,576
NIH project number5R01CA262798-02
Project IDNIH-10698017 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include male and female patients diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Less likely to help

Patients with early-stage colorectal cancer or those without the specific genetic markers being studied may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding the role of a specific gene, KDM5D, in the progression of colon cancer, particularly how it differs between male and female patients. By using both laboratory and animal models, the researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms by which KDM5D influences cancer metastasis. The study seeks to identify potential new therapies that could target this gene to improve outcomes for patients with colon cancer. This research is particularly important as it addresses the observed differences in prognosis between male and female colon cancer patients.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new targeted therapies that improve survival rates for colon cancer patients, especially males who currently have worse outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting epigenetic regulators in cancer treatment, suggesting that this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

  • Indiana University Indianapolis
    Indianapolis, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Wang, Y. Alan — Indiana University Indianapolis
  • Study coordinator: Wang, Y. Alan

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Targeting CLDN1 to overcome chemoresistance and curb metastasis in colon cancer

    A new drug candidate that blocks CLDN1 may help people with colon cancer respond better to chemotherapy and reduce spread.

    NIH research University of Kansas Medical Center · Kansas City, United States · NIH-11324005

  • How blocking a specific protein may help treat colon cancer

    This study is looking at a protein called claudin-1 that helps colon cancer spread, and it’s testing a new treatment that might make chemotherapy work better and stop the cancer from spreading further, all to help people with advanced colon cancer feel better and live longer.

    NIH research University of Kansas Medical Center · Kansas City, United States · NIH-11291157

  • Stopping colon cancer from spreading to the liver with a new drug approach

    Researchers are trying drugs that activate the dopamine D4 receptor, alone or with standard chemotherapy, to stop colon cancer from spreading to the liver in people at risk of liver metastases.

    NIH research Ohio State University · Columbus, UNITED STATES · NIH-11289460

  • How the PTPRT gene affects colon cancer growth and spread

    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.

    NIH research Case Western Reserve University · Cleveland, United States · NIH-11137753

  • New treatment approach for liver cancer spread from colon cancer

    This study is looking at a new way to help prevent liver cancer spread in people with colon cancer by testing a special treatment that works with certain receptors in the body, and it aims to see how well this treatment works alone or with other cancer medicines.

    NIH research Ohio State University · Columbus, UNITED STATES · NIH-11133691

  • Investigating how a specific protein affects colon cancer growth and spread

    This study is looking at a protein called PTPRT and how changes in it might affect the growth and spread of colon cancer, using special mice to help find new ways to understand and treat the disease.

    NIH research Case Western Reserve University · Cleveland, United States · NIH-10893342

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.