Pan-RAS Inhibitors from Natural Products to Stop Colorectal Cancer Early
Official title: Novel pan-RAS Inhibitors from Natural Products: A Safer Approach for Colorectal Cancer Interception
Funded at Auburn University at Auburn · NIH-11353545 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team will screen natural product libraries to find compounds that block mutant RAS activity in early colorectal cancer, with the goal of preventing progression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Auburn University at Auburn NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Auburn, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 9, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $317,704 |
| NIH project number | 1UG3CA311486-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11353545 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk for colorectal cancer with a tendency toward RAS-related early lesions or those with premalignant adenomas.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without premalignant colorectal lesions or non-RAS-related risk may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at Auburn University will use a high-throughput, cell-based screening approach to test natural product fractions for selective stopping of cancer cell growth based on RAS mutation status. The project combines advanced analytics and computer tools to identify promising compounds from natural sources, followed by validation in isogenic colorectal cancer cell lines. If successful, this could point to new preventive strategies that stop premalignant lesions from becoming invasive cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a safe, broadly effective preventive option for colorectal cancer by targeting early mutational events.
How similar studies have gone: Prior efforts with mutant-specific KRAS inhibitors show promise but do not address prevention; this pan-RAS approach is an innovative extension.
Where this research is happening
-
Auburn University at Auburn
Auburn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Piazza, Gary a — Auburn University at Auburn
- Study coordinator: Piazza, Gary a
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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.