GI SPORE Research Projects

The Case GI SPORE proposal provides for a cutting-edge Specialized Program of Research Excellence in gastrointestinal malignancies with emphasis on colorectal cancers and with additional attention to adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. This comprehensive program builds on the resources of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center to propose four translational research projects to bring new molecular advances to patients with GI Cancers. The four SPORE translational research projects constitute novel and cutting-edge approaches to GI cancers.

SPORE Projects

Project 1: Targeting 15-PGDH in Colon Cancer Prognosis, Prediction, Treatment and Prevention

Co-Leaders: Sanford D. Markowitz, MD, PhD, Nathan A. Berger, MD and Li Li, MD, PhD

Project 2: Translational Significance of a Mutational Signature of African American Colon Cancers

Co-Leaders: Joseph E. Willis, MD, Li Li, MD, PhD and Zhenghe John Wang, PhD

Project 3: Molecular Markers for Early Detection of Esophageal Carcinogenesis

Co-Leaders: Amitabh Chak, MD, MS, Kishore Guda, PhD, Sanford D. Markowitz, MD, PhD

Project 4: Targeting glutamine metabolism in colorectal cancer harboring PIK3CA mutations

Co-Leaders: Zhenghe John Wang, PhD