Pathways and Molecules to Prevent Early-Onset Colorectal Tumors
Official title: PROSPECT: Pathways, Risk factors, and mOleculeS to Prevent Early-onset Colorectal Tumors
Funded at Broad Institute, INC. · NIH-11514460 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project at the Broad Institute aims to understand why colorectal cancer is increasing in people under 50 and identify ways to prevent it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Broad Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $778,290 |
| NIH project number | 3OT2CA297578-01S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11514460 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk for early-onset colorectal cancer or with a family history, who may participate through future prevention studies or biomarker research.
✕Less likely to help
People without risk factors or those not involved in related prevention trials may see limited direct benefits.
What this research studies
This project looks at the lifelong factors that destabilize biology and raise the risk of early-onset colorectal cancer, using a team-science approach from cells to populations. It leverages animal models and known precursors like adenomatous polyps to study how exposures over time may trigger cancer. The goal is to translate etiologic knowledge into practical prevention strategies that can reduce incidence in younger adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to earlier prevention and reduced risk of colorectal cancer in people under 50.
How similar studies have gone: Previous EOCRC research has identified multiple risk factors, but translating etiologic findings into prevention remains a key advancement area.
Where this research is happening
-
Broad Institute, INC.
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huttenhower, Curtis — Broad Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Huttenhower, Curtis
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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.