Understanding how colon cancer spreads to the peritoneum
Official title: Defining the role of seed and soil in peritoneal metastasis evolution
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-11074604 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how colon cancer spreads to the abdominal lining and what genetic changes happen during this process, with the goal of finding better ways to treat patients who experience this serious complication.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $581,333 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA279054-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11074604 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with colon cancer who have developed peritoneal metastasis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with colon cancer who do not have peritoneal metastasis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the genetic characteristics and evolutionary history of colon cancer metastasis to the peritoneum, which is a common and serious complication. By analyzing a large group of patients with peritoneal metastasis, the study aims to uncover how cancer cells reach the peritoneal cavity and how these pathways affect the genetic diversity of the metastases. The research will utilize advanced genomic analysis to link these genetic features to patient outcomes, potentially leading to improved treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for patients with peritoneal metastasis from colon cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cancer metastasis through genetic analysis, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Naxerova, Kamila — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Naxerova, Kamila
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Lymph node metastasis and immune tolerance in head and neck cancer
A study in people with head and neck cancer looks at how cancer spread to lymph nodes may shape the immune system and help tumors grow.
-
Targeting how RMS cells fail to mature to slow or stop pediatric muscle cancer spread
A project to understand why a pediatric muscle cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma spreads, and to test ideas that could slow or stop it by helping cancer cells mature properly.
-
Centers studying how cancer spreads through the body
A multi-institutional project at Rockefeller University is exploring how nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, immune cells, and metabolites influence the spread of cancer to help identify new ways to stop metastasis.
-
Angiopoietin-2 and Tie2 signals shaping liver metastasis in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
A study explores how Angiopoietin-2 and the Tie2 receptor influence the spread of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors to the liver and how this affects responses to immunotherapy.
-
Nanoparticles that boost MRI to find tiny brain metastases
This uses tiny magnetic nanoparticles and new MRI image processing to help doctors find very small brain metastases earlier in people with cancer.
-
Tumor-Niche Co-evolution in Ovarian Cancer Metastasis and Resistance
This research explores how ovarian cancer cells interact with their surrounding tissue to understand how metastasis and resistance to therapy develop, with potential to guide better treatments.
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.