Project Cure CRC Awards Nearly $5 Million in Research Funding

Project Cure CRC, the breakthrough research fund of the leading nonprofit Colorectal Cancer Alliance (Alliance), has announced five new awardees of funds to advance urgent science in the colorectal cancer space. To date, 10 research grants have been awarded for a grand total of almost $5 million in critically needed funding. 

Recipients of the most recent grants totaling almost $1 million include investigators from the University of California, San Francisco, Indiana University, University of Saskatchewan, Georgetown University, and Anglia Ruskin University. Researchers will focus on various topics in colorectal cancer, including radioimmunotherapy, circulating tumor cells (CTCs), CRISPR technology, and the protein drug ProAgio.  

The Alliance, the nation’s nonprofit leader dedicated to colorectal cancer, launched Project Cure CRC in late 2023 as part of its mission to end colorectal cancer in our lifetime. Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths overall, yet it is less known and less funded than other less deadly cancers. 

Last December, the Alliance held an international summit with renowned CRC experts to identify research areas of urgent necessity and develop a framework for evaluating proposals. In March, the organization opened its first request for proposals, based on input gathered at the summit. Since then, researchers across the country have submitted more than 200 initial proposals. The Alliance will host the second annual Cure CRC Summit this December, convening the world’s top scientists to consider innovative ideas and areas of need.

“Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men under 50 and second leading cause for all men and women combined, yet it is still grossly underfunded,” said Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. “We initiated Project Cure CRC to make a difference in outcomes for the millions of people affected by this disease, and are committed to working with experts, industry, and donors to achieve that goal.” 

The latest pre-clinical proposals earning awards from Project Cure CRC include: 

Using CRISPR to Discover New Colorectal Cancer Treatments
Julia Carnevale, M.D., University of California, San Francisco
Grant: $200,000

Dr. Carnevale’s team is using cutting-edge CRISPR technology to find new treatment targets for colorectal cancer. By targeting multiple genes at once, they hope to better understand these genes and the effect of potential therapies on colorectal cancer. This research could lead to powerful new therapies for patients, potentially offering a path to a cure.

Targeting Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts to Improve Treatment for Colorectal Cancer
Ashiq Masood, M.D., Indiana University
Grant: $200,000

Dr. Masood’s research focuses on overcoming resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy in colorectal cancer. His team is studying a novel protein drug, ProAgio, which targets and kills specific cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, that help cancer cells survive and spread. Early tests show this approach could make treatments more effective, giving new hope to patients with hard-to-treat tumors.

Targeted Radioimmunotherapy
Ekaterina Dadachova, Ph.D., University of Saskatchewan
Grant: $200,000

Dr. Dadachova will investigate combining targeted radiation with immunotherapies for a novel and synergistic approach to treat advanced colorectal cancer, improving clinical outcomes.

Targeting the Spread of Colorectal Cancer 
David Robbins, Ph.D., Georgetown University
Grant: $200,000

Dr. Robbins’ research aims to stop colorectal cancer from spreading by targeting circulating tumor cells (CTCs) - the cells responsible for forming new tumors in other parts of the body. His team has developed methods to isolate these cells and identify drugs that could prevent colorectal cancer from spreading. This research could lead to new treatments that improve survival rates for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, addressing a critical need in cancer care.

Exploring How Fat Tissue Affects Colorectal Cancer 
Caterina Suelzu, Ph.D., Anglia Ruskin University
Grant: $100,000

This project will investigate how fat tissue impacts the development and treatment of colorectal cancer. Dr. Suelzu’s team will create a 3D model of fat cells and cancer cells to better understand this interaction. Their findings could lead to more effective treatments and improve the quality of life for patients with colorectal cancer.

The Alliance, the largest organization dedicated to ending colorectal cancer, invites the public, corporations, foundations, and philanthropic individuals to join our mission by contributing to Project Cure CRC. In addition, the Alliance seeks new ideas for mCRC research, with special attention given to immunotherapy-based studies and research focused on BRCA1, BRAF, TP53, TME, and associated pathway genes. 

For more information on Project Cure CRC, to donate, or to learn more about submitting a research proposal, please visit colorectalcancer.org/cure.

About the Colorectal Cancer Alliance
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance empowers a nation of passionate and determined allies to prevent, treat, and overcome colorectal cancer in their lives and communities. We advocate for prevention, magnify support, and accelerate research to end this disease. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Alliance is the largest national nonprofit dedicated to colorectal cancer, and we exist to end this disease in our lifetime. For more information, visit colorectalcancer.org.

Media Contact
Emily Blasi
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