Cure CRC Summit podium view

Project Cure CRC

Project Cure CRC co-chairs Michael and Katie

Request for Proposals

Project Cure CRC has announced a rolling Request for Proposals (RFP), making available tens of millions of dollars to academic and industry researchers whose work aims to expedite colorectal cancer research to a curable science. Download the RFP for details and submit your proposal at ProposalCentral.

Funded research

Ekaterina Dadachova
Targeted radioimmunotherapy

Ekaterina Dadachova, PhD

Ekaterina Dadachova, PhD, of The University of Saskatchewan will investigate combining targeted radiation with immunotherapies for a novel and synergistic approach to treat advanced colorectal cancer, improving clinical outcomes.

Yekaterina Y. Zaytseva
New Drug Combinations for BRAF

Yekaterina Y. Zaytseva, PhD

Yekaterina Y. Zaytseva, PhD, of the University of Kentucky, will investigate new drug combinations to kill CRC cells with a BRAF mutation. These cells currently have a low response rate to existing treatments. 

Dr. Ashiq Masood
Investigating a New Protein

Ashiq Masood, MD

Dr. Masood of Indiana University is studying ProAgio, a new protein that targets cells aiding cancer's survival. This approach could improve therapies for tough-to-treat tumors.

Dr. Caterina Suelzu
Body Fat & CRC

Caterina Suelzu, PhD

Dr. Suelzu of Anglia Ruskin University will investigate how fat tissue impacts the growth and spread of colorectal cancer, especially in people with obesity. 

Dr. Julia Carnevale
Innovating with CRISPR

Julia Carnevale, MD

Dr. Carnevale of UCSF will use cutting-edge technology to target multiple genes at once, seeking to uncover weaknesses in cancer cells and boost the body’s immune response. 

Dr. David Robbins
Stopping the Spread

David Robbins, PhD

Dr. Robbins of Georgetown University aims to target and stop the circulating tumor cells responsible for forming metastatic tumors. Success could improve mCRC survival rates. 

A researcher speaks on a microphone at the Cure CRC Summit

Hope for today's patients

With bold and urgent action, Project Cure CRC seeks to cultivate breakthroughs in colorectal cancer diagnosis, treatment, metastasis, and survivorship. The project will ignite innovative treatments to end colorectal cancer now. 

Researchers networking, speaking and thinking around a table at the Cure CRC Summit

Cure CRC Summit

In December 2023, the Cure CRC Summit welcomed more than 100 prominent scientists to foster partnerships that will challenge the status quo of colorectal therapies and discover new trajectories toward a cure.

Colorectal Cancer Alliance Launches Project Cure CRC

Support the project

The Colorectal Cancer Alliance invites the public, corporations, foundations, and philanthropic individuals to join us by contributing to Project Cure CRC.

Project Cure CRC Co-Chairs

Michael Sapienza
CEO, Colorectal Cancer Alliance

Katie Chudnovsky
Board Member, Colorectal Cancer Alliance

Scientific Co-Chairs

John Marshall, MD
Georgetown University

Scott Kopetz, MD, PhD, FACP
MD Anderson Cancer Center

Christopher Lieu, MD
University of Colorado Cancer Center

Patient Advocate Co-Chair

John Woerner
mCRC Survivor and Board Member, Colorectal Cancer Alliance 

Alliance Project Lead

David Fenstermacher, PhD
Senior Director of Research and Medical Affairs, Colorectal Cancer Alliance 

Grant Review Committee

J. Randolph Hecht, MD
UCLA Health

Scott Kopetz, MD, PhD, FACP
MD Anderson Cancer Center

Christopher Lieu, MD
University of Colorado Cancer Center

John Marshall, MD
Georgetown University

Alan P. Venook, MD
UCSF Health

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