# Mechanisms of cytokine driven tumor elicited inflammation in colorectal cancer

> **NIH NIH R01** · CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · $461,092

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 Tumor microenvironment (TME), particularly tumor-infiltrating inflammatory cells, is an essential component
of tumorigenesis. Most of the solid tumors demonstrate a paradoxical ability to recruit immune cells and to
upregulate inflammatory mediators which assist tumor progression. We first defined this process as “Tumor
elicited inflammation” (TEI) and suggested that in colorectal cancer (CRC), TEI is induced early during the
tumorigenesis, particularly because of the oncogene-induced, tumor specific deterioration of barrier and
microbial product translocation. Inhibition of inflammation by general anti-inflammatory drugs or by specific
inactivation of inflammatory signaling nodes (cytokines, transcription factors) decreases tumor incidence and
growth in animal models and reduces the risk of cancer development and related death in humans. Unresolved
questions are how TEI is induced by tumors, what are the critical mediators of TEI maintenance and its pro-
tumorigenic action and how TEI acts to promote cancer and what are the time requirements for TEI action?
 Here we will uncover TEI mechanisms in CRC. From our previous work and preliminary data it is known
that IL-23 regulates the IL-17 pathway that is essential for CRC growth. However, the identity of CRC-specific
microbial stimuli, as well as the identity of myeloid cells producing IL-23 and the identity of IL-23R expressing,
IL-23-responsive cells is not known. Furthermore, while it is likely that TEI promotes CRC during later stages of
tumor development, it is not known whether “early” TEI induction during CRC inception is important for CRC
outgrowth. Based on preliminary data we hypothesize that strongly adhesive bacteria stimulate IL-23
expression in tumor myeloid cells and IL-23 activates pro-tumorigenic IL-17 production from T cells and innate
lymphoid cells (ILC) to promote CRC by acting within CRC TME, and that mechanisms operate even in early
CRC. Proposed Specific Aims which are modified for the revised application are the following: (1) Define the
tumor-specific microbial stimuli required to control TEI in CRC. (2) Define subsets of tumor myeloid cells
required for IL-23 production and TEI induction in CRC; and 3) Examine microenvironmental mechanisms of
IL-17 TEI mediated CRC and temporal requirements for TEI during CRC promotion.
 Overall, these studies represent a comprehensive approach integrating immunology, genetics and cancer
biology to yield basic insights into the role of specific microbes in inducing TEI to promote CRC. We will
methodically test various cell compartments within the TME responding to CRC-specific microbial signals,
producing IL-23 and responding to IL-23; and how TEI drives CRC via its action on cells within the CRC TME.
This will be a key to understand how inflammatory and cancer cells communicate within the Tumor
Microenvironment and will identify targets for novel preventive/therapeutic breakthroughs. This work will
establish a rationale...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10248577
- **Project number:** 5R01CA218133-04
- **Recipient organization:** CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Sergei I Grivennikov
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $461,092
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10248577

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10248577, Mechanisms of cytokine driven tumor elicited inflammation in colorectal cancer (5R01CA218133-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10248577. Licensed CC0.

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