What prevents serrated colon tumors in the colon
Mechanisms of Serrated Colon Tumor Suppression
This project looks at how a common BRAF mutation and loss of certain tumor‑suppressor genes in colon stem cells can start serrated colon cancer, to help spot people at higher risk earlier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11212111 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use genetically engineered mouse models that carry the BRAFV600E mutation to watch the very first molecular changes in colon stem cells. They compare normal and mutant stem cells to see how the BRAF pathway effector pERK interacts with chromatin and with tumor suppressors CDX2 and SMAD4, using genomic tools such as ATAC‑seq. The team links these animal and molecular findings to human tumor gene signatures to identify which patients may be susceptible. The goal is to map the immediate steps that allow serrated tumors to form so future tests or prevention approaches can be developed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would include people with serrated colon polyps, tumors known to carry BRAF mutations, or patients willing to donate tumor or biopsy samples for research.
Not a fit: People with non‑serrated forms of colorectal cancer or unrelated medical conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable tests to identify people at higher risk for serrated colon cancer and point to new prevention strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work from this group showed CDX2 and SMAD4 affect serrated tumor formation and that their target genes can stratify patient samples, so this project builds on promising preliminary findings.
Where this research is happening
Piscataway, United States
- Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. — Piscataway, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Verzi, Michael P. — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Verzi, Michael P.
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.