NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Translational science to understand how GI cancers start and grow in Barrett’s esophagus

Official title: Translational Science of Gastrointestinal Cancer Initiation and Progression

Funded at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-11395527 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This grant looks at how Barrett’s esophagus may lead to esophageal cancer and colorectal cancer and what early signs could hint at cancer forming.

More Gastrointestinal Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFred Hutchinson Cancer Center
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project startSeptember 19, 2018
Project endAugust 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$345,951
NIH project number5R50CA233042-10
Project IDNIH-11395527 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Patients with Barrett’s esophagus or colorectal precancerous lesions may be eligible for related studies or future trials.

Less likely to help

People without GI precancerous conditions may not directly benefit from this research.

What this research studies

If funded, researchers will study how normal GI tissue becomes cancerous, focusing on Barrett’s esophagus and related lesions. The project will combine lab models and patient data to trace the sequence from early lesions to cancer and identify factors in the surrounding tissue that promote tumors. The goal is to uncover early markers and mechanisms that could lead to better prevention and early detection.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to earlier detection methods and prevention strategies for Barrett’s-related esophageal cancer and colorectal cancer.

How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests the tumor environment influences cancer progression, supporting a potential benefit from this approach.

Where this research is happening

  • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
    Seattle, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Yu, Ming — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
  • Study coordinator: Yu, Ming

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.