# Biology of Colon Cancer

> **NIH NIH P30** · ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $26,996

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY - BIOLOGY OF COLON CANCER PROGRAM
Research in the Biology of Colon Cancer (BCC) program is focused on basic aspects of the biology of
colorectal cancer, encompassing how genetic and dietary factors contribute to normal mucosal homeostasis,
the perturbations that alter probability of tumorigenesis and its progression, and how this knowledge can be
exploited to identify new approaches for the prevention, progression and treatment of this disease. Over the
last several years research has increasingly focused on the role of intestinal stem cells in the development,
progression and refractoriness of this disease, capitalizing on the program's development of novel genetic and
environmentally-driven mouse models for these studies. As a disease of aging, there is also a focus on aging-
associated changes in mucosal and stem cell functions, in particular genetic and epigenetic alterations, and in
autophagic processes that are risk factors for colorectal cancer. New studies have focused on the role of the
microbiome in the development of intestinal inflammation, a precursor of colorectal cancer, and the impact of
the bacterial flora on the catabolism of antineoplastic agents to toxic derivatives. There has also been an
increased emphasis on translational research, especially in addressing the underserved minority populations
that comprise the AECC catchment area, the Bronx. While several BCC members moved on from Einstein
over the last two funding cycles, the program has recruited key new members in specifically targeted areas to
address the intestinal microbiome, epigenetic regulation, and to extend screening and genetic testing to the
Bronx population, thereby expanding the scope of the program. Also new to the program is the recruitment of
Lawrence Brandt as co-leader who brings expertise in inflammatory disease and fecal transplantation to
reinforce and expand the translational aspects of BCC research. There are three thematic aims of the program:
(i) To Identify Environmental, Genetic and the Niche Impact on Intestinal Stem Cell Functions in Homeostasis
and Tumorigenesis, (ii) To investigate aging as a Risk Factor for Intestinal Tumors, and (iii) To address
prevention and therapy: Genetics, Modulation and Translation. There are 20 program members from 11
departments. Current NCI funding is 2.4M (dc); total peer-reviewed funding is $4.9M (dc). There were 460
publications since July 2013 of which 11% represented intra-programmatic, 23% inter-programmatic and 58%
represent collaborations with investigators at other institutions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9998891
- **Project number:** 5P30CA013330-48
- **Recipient organization:** ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** LEONARD H AUGENLICHT
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $26,996
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-06-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9998891

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9998891, Biology of Colon Cancer (5P30CA013330-48). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9998891. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*