Unusual DNA methylation patterns in colorectal cancer
Official title: Full Research Project 2: Unusual DNA methylation phenotype in Colorectal Cancer
Funded at Hunter College · NIH-11192801 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks for abnormal DNA methylation patterns in normal colon tissue to help identify people at higher risk of colorectal cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hunter College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2018 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $78,418 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA221704-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11192801 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults in the New York-area catchment who are undergoing colonoscopy or have a diagnosis of colorectal cancer, as well as cancer-free control participants.
✕Less likely to help
People who cannot provide colon tissue samples or who live far from the study sites in the New York area may not be eligible and are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
What this research studies
You may be asked to provide colon tissue (often collected during routine colonoscopy) and possibly blood samples so researchers can search for an Outlier Methylation Phenotype (OMP). The team will compare how common OMP is in a larger group of about 156 people with colorectal cancer and 228 people without cancer from the local catchment area. They will grow patient-derived organoids in the lab to study how OMP might contribute to tumor development. The aim is to find early, objective biomarkers that could make screening and prevention more effective and less invasive.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to biomarkers that identify high-risk people earlier, helping target screening and prevent advanced colorectal cancer.
How similar studies have gone: A prior pilot from this program found an association between the Outlier Methylation Phenotype and colorectal cancer, but larger validation and mechanistic work are still needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Hunter College
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kleiman, Frida E — Hunter College
- Study coordinator: Kleiman, Frida E
Related research
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Rewiring Colorectal Cancer to Harness Therapeutic Hyperactivation
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Comparative modeling to guide colorectal cancer screening and care
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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.