# Case GI SPORE

> **NIH NIH P50** · CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $664,839

## Abstract

OVERALL SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
This Case GI SPORE supplement application provides for a cutting edged Specialized Program of Research
Excellence in gastrointestinal malignancies with emphasis on colorectal cancers, pancreas cancers, and
adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. This comprehensive program builds on the resources of the Case
Comprehensive Cancer Center to supplement 3 translational Research Projects to bring new molecular
advances to patients with GI Cancers. A series of 3 supplemented core resources support these projects and
establish a strong infrastructure for translational research in GI cancers. We will further supplement a continued
Developmental Research Project. These 4 supplemented SPORE translational research studies constitute novel
and cutting edge approaches to GI cancers and include studies of: i) Prevention of colitis associated colon cancer
using 15-PGDH inhibitor agents (Project 1, Drs. Markowitz and Berger);; ii) Development of molecular markers
and non-endoscopic methods for early detection of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinomas
(Project 3, Drs. Chak, Willis, and Markowitz); iii) Development of targeted treatment of PIK3CA mutant colorectal
cancers (Project 4, Drs. Wang and Bajor); iv) Development of targeted therapy for pancreas cancer based on
effects of the tumor microenvironment that a) via nutrient deprivation create metabolic addiction to wild-type
IDH1 enzyme activity, and b: via low magnesium levels activate the mutant IDH1 inhibitor drug ivosidenib to
become an potent inhibitor of wild-type IDH1 (continuation DRP Project, Dr. Winter). These projects are built on
major advances from the SPORE's current funding period that include: i) publication in Science Translational
Medicine of development of a novel non-endoscopic swallowable device for targeted sampling of the distal
esophagus together with development of a methylated DNA panel for BE detection on non-endoscopic samples;
ii) publication Cancer Research of results of Phase I study of a glutaminase inhibitor, CB-839, for treating PIK3CA
mutant colorectal cancer; iii) publication in Nature Cancer of discovery of sensitivity of pancreas cancers to IDH1
inhibitors. These projects are advantaged by special populations for conducting clinical trials of BE and for
conducting clinical trials of targeted therapies, as well as cancer center resources for development of biomarkers
and molecular diagnostics. The strength of these investigators and these resources will insure this program leads
to significant translational advances.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10704292
- **Project number:** 3P50CA150964-10S1
- **Recipient organization:** CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** SANFORD D. MARKOWITZ
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $664,839
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2011-09-14 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10704292

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10704292, Case GI SPORE (3P50CA150964-10S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10704292. Licensed CC0.

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