Personalized Colorectal Cancer Prevention using Genetic Data to Guide Screening and Follow-Up
Official title: Personalized Colorectal Cancer Prevention: Integrating Individual Screening and Follow Up Information with Genetic Data
Funded at Durham VA Medical Center · NIH-11400855 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A VA-led project to tailor when and how often people get colon cancer screening based on their genetic and clinical risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Durham VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2BX006452-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400855 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
VA patients with colorectal cancer risk factors or interest in genetic-based screening decisions could be eligible.
✕Less likely to help
Patients at very low risk or those not engaged in screening programs may see minimal direct benefit.
What this research studies
This program aims to combine individual risk information with genetic data to improve colorectal cancer screening strategies within the VA system. It focuses on building the training and resources needed for Dr. Sullivan to lead a focused program that personalizes screening and follow-up. The work envisions using stored VA clinical data and genetic biobanks to refine risk-based screening recommendations and optimize resource use. The effort seeks to reduce unnecessary procedures for low-risk individuals while ensuring high-risk people receive timely screening and follow-up. The grant emphasizes career development and building a multidisciplinary VA research program around colorectal cancer prevention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more personalized, efficient screening plans that improve early detection and reduce unnecessary procedures.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show promise for integrating clinical and genetic data to personalize cancer screening, with ongoing work in risk-stratified approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
Durham VA Medical Center
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sullivan, Brian Andrew — Durham VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Sullivan, Brian Andrew
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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A large, multi-center study follows people newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer to find biomarkers and patterns that predict outcomes and guide future care.
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Automated point-of-care DNA methylation test for colorectal cancer in LMICs
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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.
-
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.
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.