# Colon cancer nanotherapy targeting STRAP

> **NIH VA I01** · BIRMINGHAM VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · —

## Abstract

Although activation of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway is involved in cell growth, inhibition of apoptosis,
induction in stem-like phenotype, and drug resistance, little is known about its dynamic control and plasticity.
Recent studies have suggested that the functional crosstalk between APC/Wnt/ß-catenin and RAS-ERK
pathways plays an important role in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and metastasis. Our initial data
suggest that the MEK/ERK pathway and subsequently Wnt/ß-catenin signaling are activated by STRAP
(Serine Threonine Kinase Receptor Associated Protein) that we cloned several years ago. We have shown
that STRAP is upregulated in more than 70% of CRCs and induces cell proliferation, tumorigenicity, self-
renewal of cancer stem-like cells (CSC), and drug resistance. We have observed that conditional knockout of
Strap in mice decreases the number and size of intestinal tumors induced by genetically inactivated APC (Apc
Min). We showed that STRAP induces CRC metastasis in vivo in a spontaneous metastasis model. In CRC
patients, upregulation of STRAP is associated with worse survival following adjuvant therapy. In contrast,
patients carrying tumors with normal or low STRAP expression benefited from the treatment, suggesting its
potential role in chemoresistance. Interestingly, we showed that reduced expression of STRAP enhances drug
(5-FU and Oxaliplatin)-induced apoptosis and sensitizes cells to chemotherapy in vitro and in vivo. Therefore,
these in vitro and in vivo studies provide the proof-of-concept that abrogating STRAP signaling in CRC will
decrease tumorigenicity and metastasis and will sensitize CRC tumors to chemotherapy. We already have
developed a nanocarrier PMBOx-PMPOy-PMEOz to achieve in vivo codelivery of STRAP siRNA and 5-FU-Oxp-
OA (oleic acid motif). We have observed that nanoparticle-mediated delivery of STRAP siRNA decreases cell
proliferation, migration and invasion. Based on the preliminary information, we have formulated the
hypothesis: Therapeutic targeting of pro-oncogenic functions of STRAP by siRNA-based nanoformulation will
be effective in treating CRC patients as well as sensitizing CRC patients with 5-FU and/or Oxaliplatin based
chemotherapy. The following Specific Aims are proposed: Aim 1: Determine how STRAP activates MEK/ERK
pathway and subsequently Wnt/ß-catenin signaling in colorectal cancer. Aim 2: Characterize tumor-promoting
functions of STRAP in vivo and determine its role in the development and progression of spontaneous
intestinal tumors. Aim 3: Develop a novel therapy that is based on siRNA-mediated silencing of STRAP using
nanoparticles (NPs) alone and in combination with codelivery of 5-FU and Oxaliplatin.
 Impact: As 1) STRAP inhibits the tumor suppression function of TGF-ß; 2) it promotes CSC self-
renewal and drug resistance; 3) upregulation of STRAP exerts tumor promoting effects including invasion and
metastasis; 4) its upregulation in CRC patients contributes to worse survival with chemothe...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10016635
- **Project number:** 1I01BX005143-01
- **Recipient organization:** BIRMINGHAM VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** PRAN K DATTA
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-01-01 → 2024-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10016635

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10016635, Colon cancer nanotherapy targeting STRAP (1I01BX005143-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10016635. Licensed CC0.

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