Prospect: Stem Cell Models for Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Prevention
Official title: PROSPECT - Stem cell models
Funded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-11514463 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers at MIT are using stem cell models to understand why colorectal cancer is rising in people under 50 and how to prevent it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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) | $630,993 |
| NIH project number | 3OT2CA297570-01S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11514463 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 history of premalignant adenomatous polyps, plus researchers who can contribute to translational prevention efforts.
✕Less likely to help
People without risk factors for early-onset colorectal cancer or without interest in prevention research may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project looks at how lifetime exposures and biology come together to drive early-onset colorectal cancer, using advanced stem cell and animal-model systems. The effort aims to identify key factors that start and promote cancer so we can intercept it earlier. The team plans to translate etiologic findings into practical prevention strategies that could lower risk for younger adults. The work combines cells, animals, and population-level insights to map how early-life factors influence cancer development, with a focus on prevention and intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to new prevention strategies and early interventions for young people at risk of colorectal cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research in EOCRC has identified risk factors and pathways, but mechanisms linking lifetime exposures to early cancer initiation remain incompletely understood.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yilmaz, Omer — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Yilmaz, Omer
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.