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Development of a noninvasive, rapid and affordable method for early detection of colorectal cancer

Award Number: R21CA245651
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2020
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2025

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Development of a noninvasive, rapid and affordable method for early detection of colorectal cancer - SUMMARY Screening remains the key intervention for colorectal cancer (CRC) control and prevention as detection and removal of premalignant lesions can prevent progression to cancer. Colonoscopy, the gold standard for CRC screening, is an invasive and costly procedure resulting in low compliance in both the general and the under- screened populations, including low-income and early-onset young patients. Feces-screening methods also suffer low compliance rates. Affordable and minimally invasive approaches are urgently warranted to address low screening rates and prevent CRC through early detection. We are proposing to explore the concept of field effect in CRC or simultaneous occurrence of subtle alterations distal from precancerous polyps in the colon, in an innovative way, to develop a new screening modality for CRC. Mast cells (MC) are innate immune cells located close to the intestinal epithelium and blood vessels at homeostasis, whose accumulation is an essential feature of intestinal polyposis in mice and of invasive intestinal lesions. We hypothesized that MC might slough off in the colonic lumen upon precancerous transformation, but not in normal healthy cases, thus being accessible by rectal swabbing, together with other cells. Combining our dual expertise in quantitative imaging and mast cell (MC) biology, we surmise that swab-collected cells might be analyzed on microscopy slides after processing and staining for MC using bright-field microscopy and image analysis software. Our preliminary results using two preclinical models of CRC, the genetic ApcMin/+ mouse model and the azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis leading to CRC, indicate the presence of swab MC in polyp carrying but not in healthy polyp-free, inflamed polyp-free, cancer-free or wild type mice. To ensure standardized sample analysis, we propose to develop a computational imaging method for swab MC detection by integrating MC-restricted morphometric descriptors. Further biological and technical validations will be performed. If confirm, our working hypothesis will be tested in a human pilot study.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = -$46 )
2026	2022	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA	1600 HAMPTON ST	COLUMBIA	SC	29208	RICHLAND	USA	Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research	000	3	11/24/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$46
														Subtotal = -$46

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2024	2022	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA	1600 HAMPTON ST	COLUMBIA	SC	29208	RICHLAND	USA	Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research	000	3	8/8/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $103,582 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA	1600 HAMPTON ST # 414	COLUMBIA	SC	29208	RICHLAND	USA	Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research	000	3	6/30/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$103,582
														Subtotal = $103,582

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $68,447 )
2021	2021	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA	1600 HAMPTON ST # 414	COLUMBIA	SC	29208	RICHLAND	USA	Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research	001	2	8/20/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$118,544
2021	2021	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA	1600 HAMPTON ST # 414	COLUMBIA	SC	29208	RICHLAND	USA	Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research	000	2	7/26/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$186,991
														Subtotal = $68,447

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $208,973 )
2020	2020	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA	1600 HAMPTON ST # 414	COLUMBIA	SC	29208	RICHLAND	USA	Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research	000	1	5/29/2020	NEW	$208,973
														Subtotal = $208,973

Grand Total All Awards = $380,956

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Development of a noninvasive, rapid and affordable method for early detection of colorectal cancer

Award Number: R21CA245651

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2020

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2025

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