Metabolic-driven stem cells and inflammatory niches in early-onset colorectal cancer
Official title: Metabolic aberrant stem cell and niche inflammation in obese and non-obese EO-CRC
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11445548 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how metabolic changes from obesity and diet may fuel early-onset colorectal cancer by linking stem cell biology and inflammation in patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 14, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $597,110 |
| NIH project number | 1R37CA306888-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11445548 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with early-onset colorectal cancer or individuals at risk due to obesity/diet-related metabolic factors may be appropriate for related translational studies and organoid models.
✕Less likely to help
The study may involve analyses using patient-derived data and samples; individuals not connected to EO-CRC or obesity-related metabolic risk may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at why colorectal cancer can start earlier in life by focusing on how metabolic stress from Western diets and obesity affects stem cells and their inflammatory environment. The team will combine human patient data, organoid models from patient tissue, and diet-based experiments to map the molecular pathways that drive tumor initiation. They plan to create signatures of abnormal stem cells and inflammatory niches, and test dietary interventions in high-fat and fiber-supplemented models to see if they can modulate risk. A cross-species data integration approach will ensure findings are relevant to people with EO-CRC and can be translated to clinicians.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets to prevent or slow EO-CRC and inform dietary strategies that reduce risk for younger patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown links between metabolism, inflammation, and cancer, and organoid models are increasingly used to study EO-CRC, though the exact mechanisms are still being unraveled.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheng, Chia-Wei — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Cheng, Chia-Wei
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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.