# Interdisciplinary Epidemiologic Consortium to Investigate T-cell Response in Colorectal Cancer

> **NIH NIH R01** · FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER · 2021 · $1

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
The immune system has pivotal influence in the evolution and progression of many tumor types, including
colorectal cancer (CRC). In particular, the presence of a strong T cell response in CRC, indicating activation of
the adaptive immune system, has been associated with better patient outcomes. As such, recently developed
immunotherapeutic approaches often attempt to harness the adaptive immune response. Immune cells are an
integral component of the tumor microenvironment, and dynamically interact with neoplastic cells. However,
our understanding as to the complexity of the T cell response and the factors that drive this response remains
limited. The objective of this proposal is to identify genetic, lifestyle, and tumor factors associated with the T
cell response in CRC, and to characterize the survival implications of that response. Specifically, in Aim 1 we
will examine the relationship of personal characteristics with T cell response in CRC, including the role of (1a)
germline genetic variation within human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor
(KIR) genes, and (1b) lifestyle factors (e.g., aspirin use, smoking, alcohol consumption). In Aim 2 we will focus
on several colorectal tumor characteristics as they relate to T cell response, including (2a) the presence of
Fusobacterium nucleatum and bacterial toxin genes in CRC, and (2b) somatic mutations in key signaling
pathways (e.g., WNT signaling and RAS/RAF). In Aim 3, we will evaluate the associations of different aspects
of T cell response with CRC survival, accounting for known prognostic factors and the relationships identified in
Aims 1-2. To achieve these Aims, we propose to assess the density and spatial distribution of specific T cell
subsets using multiplexed immunofluorescence (mIF) to quantify expression levels and co-expression patterns
of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD45RO, and FOXP3 at the single cell level. This multiplexed assessment will allow us to
examine the epidemiologic and prognostic relevance of numerous metrics of T cell response in CRC. This
research will leverage the resources of the Genetics and Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer Consortium
(GECCO) and the Colon Cancer Family Registry (CCFR). GECCO-CCFR is a large collaborative effort
between observational studies of CRC. We have completed genome-wide germline genotyping and have
harmonized epidemiologic data regarding a variety of lifestyle factors and personal characteristics for all
participating studies. We are conducting DNA sequencing with a panel of 205 human genes and a small
number of bacterial genes in CRC tumor tissue. Prospective follow-up for survival is ongoing, and we have
harmonized existing survival data. Through this project, we will add information on T cell response in CRC for
>2,500 CRC cases to the GECCO-CCFR resource. This project provides an unprecedented opportunity to
investigate the epidemiology of the T cell response in CRC and the relationship o...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10134281
- **Project number:** 5R01CA248857-02
- **Recipient organization:** FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Shuji Ogino
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $1
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-05-01 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10134281

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10134281, Interdisciplinary Epidemiologic Consortium to Investigate T-cell Response in Colorectal Cancer (5R01CA248857-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10134281. Licensed CC0.

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