Using a repurposed drug to treat colon cancer
Official title: Anticancer Effects of a Repurposed Drug in Colon Cancer
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-10728673 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether Pimavanserin, a medication made for Parkinson's disease, can help treat colon cancer by stopping cancer cells from growing and helping them die, offering a quicker and safer option for patients battling this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $381,834 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA277249-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10728673 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with colon cancer, especially those who have not responded well to traditional chemotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with colon cancer that has already progressed to advanced stages with extensive metastasis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the potential of Pimavanserin, a drug originally developed for Parkinson's disease, to treat colon cancer. The study focuses on how this drug can inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells and induce cell death by targeting specific receptors involved in cancer progression. By repurposing an existing medication, the research aims to provide a faster and potentially safer treatment option for patients with colon cancer. The approach leverages known safety profiles and pharmacological properties of Pimavanserin to explore its anticancer effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new treatment option for colon cancer patients, particularly those with metastatic disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in repurposing existing drugs for cancer treatment, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Datta, Pran K — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Datta, Pran K
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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.