NIH-funded research R01 grant

New treatments for colorectal cancer using BET degraders

Official title: BET degraders for improving colorectal cancer therapy

Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11074634 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is exploring new treatments for colorectal cancer by using special drugs that target certain proteins to help kill cancer cells better, especially for patients whose current treatments aren't working well.

More Colorectal Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Southern California
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES)
Project startOctober 9, 2023
Project endMarch 31, 2026
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$438,915
NIH project number5R01CA248112-06
Project IDNIH-11074634 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer who have not responded to standard therapies.

Less likely to help

Patients with early-stage colorectal cancer or those who have not yet undergone treatment may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing innovative therapies for colorectal cancer (CRC) by targeting specific proteins that contribute to cancer progression. The approach involves using small-molecule inhibitors that degrade BET proteins, which have shown promise in preliminary studies for their ability to enhance cancer cell death. By understanding how these agents work, the research aims to improve treatment outcomes for patients with advanced CRC who have not responded well to existing therapies. The study will involve laboratory experiments and patient-derived models to evaluate the effectiveness of these new agents.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for patients with colorectal cancer, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.

How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results with similar approaches targeting BET proteins, indicating potential for success in this area.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Southern California
    Los Angeles, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Zhang, Lin — University of Southern California
  • Study coordinator: Zhang, Lin

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.