Mild heat plus targeted drugs for colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver
Assessment of hyperthermia-based multimodal approach for hepatic colorectal metastases
Testing whether adding mild heat to two agents (a protein called TRAIL and the drug artesunate) can better kill colorectal cancer cells that have spread to the liver.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171643 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver, researchers are developing a treatment that combines mild heat with two cancer-killing agents, TRAIL and artesunate. They will first test this combination in lab-grown tumor models made from human cells and in humanized mouse models to see how the treatments work together. The team will study how the combo triggers cancer cell death pathways like apoptosis and ferroptosis to explain why it may be more effective. These are preclinical experiments at Cedars‑Sinai to build evidence before any human testing begins.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver whose liver tumors cannot be removed surgically.
Not a fit: Because this is a preclinical project, patients looking for immediate treatment or those with operable liver metastases or non-colorectal cancers should not expect direct benefit now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could more effectively destroy liver metastases from colorectal cancer while reducing systemic toxicity and possibly make unresectable tumors treatable.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory and animal xenograft work by the team showed enhanced tumor killing with hyperthermia plus TRAIL and artesunate, but this exact combination has not yet been tested in people.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Yong Jun — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Lee, Yong Jun
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 below.