|
A team of
Vanderbilt researchers has been awarded a $13 million National
Cancer Institute grant to fund an interdisciplinary program focused
on colorectal cancer.
The Specialized
Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant is the first awarded
by the National Cancer Institute focused exclusively on colorectal
cancer, a spokesperson said.
The five-year
grant will support five research projects.
- Project
1 will focus on the epidermal growth factor receptor as a target
for therapy in colorectal cancer, and will include a clinical
trial using Iressa, an investigational EGF receptor-blocking
agent.
- Project
2 will evaluate combinations of drugs to block both the EGF
receptor and cyclooxygenase 2 [COX-2] in Phase I and II trials
in colorectal cancer patients.
- Project
3 will use DNA microarray and imaging mass spectrometry to identify
markers that correspond to response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy
and radiation. The ultimate goal is to be able to predict response
and tailor therapy for an individual patient.
- Project
4 will examine the role of the protein p120 in the spread of
colorectal cancer.
- Project
5 will seek to identify markers for the recurrence of colon
polyps that ultimately could be used to determine which patients
might benefit most from regular screenings and preventive agents
and which might reasonably undergo screening at longer intervals.
Other
sources: NCI, Vanderbilt
|
