# Project 1: Identification and Validation of Panel of Early Cell Surface Gene Targets

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2021 · $152,562

## Abstract

Abstract – This research project falls under genomics of tumor heterogeneity and their impact on the 
progression toward EAC as one of the possible areas defined in RFA-CA-16-006. We have previously 
identified EGFR and ErbB2 using gene expression profiles as promising cell surface targets based on high- 
frequency gene amplification for imaging of EAC, and have developed peptides that are specific for these 
targets. We now aim to identify early targets that arise in progression of BE to EAC. We expect to find greater 
variability and lower levels of expression for early compared with late targets, thus have prepared a more 
rigorous approach. We will use Affymetrix arrays and RNAseq analysis to identify early gene targets that are 
overexpressed on the cell surface and can be developed for imaging. We will use these sophisticated genomic 
tools to provide a comprehensive analysis of gene alterations, mutations, and DNA copy number variations in 
human esophagus specimens to identify a panel of promising candidates. We will rigorously validate 
candidate targets using quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays prepared from 
an independent cohort of specimens. This approach requires a large number of HGD that are uniquely 
available in our large tissue biorepository of n = 780 human esophageal specimens, including n = 560 EAC, 
collected de novo (no neo-adjuvant chemo or radiation therapy). For each early target validated, we will 
transfect telomerase-immortalized BE cells to overexpress the target on the cell surface for use in developing 
the monomer and dimer peptides in Project 2. 
 Successful completion of these aims will result in identification and validation of a panel of early gene 
targets that arise in progression of BE to EAC that will be used in Project 2 to develop novel peptide imaging 
agents.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10155438
- **Project number:** 5U54CA163059-10
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** DAVID George BEER
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $152,562
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2011-09-21 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10155438

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10155438, Project 1: Identification and Validation of Panel of Early Cell Surface Gene Targets (5U54CA163059-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10155438. Licensed CC0.

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