Using blood DNA methylation to prevent colorectal cancer
Harnessing DNA methylation in peripheral blood for improved colorectal cancer prevention
This project looks at DNA methylation patterns in routine blood samples to spot people at higher risk of colorectal cancer so prevention can start earlier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143276 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you're enrolled in long-term health studies, researchers will analyze genome-wide DNA methylation in blood samples collected years before cancer was diagnosed. They will compare about 1,150 people who later developed colorectal cancer to 2,460 matched controls from diverse U.S. cohorts (including nurses, health professionals, and Black women) and link methylation patterns to prior genetic data and decades of diet and lifestyle information. The team will use high-throughput methylation assays and existing genotypes to see whether blood methylation marks predict future cancer risk or reflect modifiable aging and immune changes. Results could point to blood-based tests or lifestyle targets to enable earlier screening and prevention.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults of screening age with available stored blood samples and long-term lifestyle data, particularly people already enrolled in large U.S. cohort studies.
Not a fit: People without stored prediagnostic blood samples, not enrolled in the included cohorts, or outside the studied age groups may not receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to blood tests or lifestyle-based strategies that identify and lower colorectal cancer risk earlier.
How similar studies have performed: DNA methylation markers in tumor tissue have shown promise and some blood signals exist, but prediagnosis blood markers are less tested and this is among the largest prospective efforts.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Song, Mingyang — Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Song, Mingyang
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 below.