Project Cure CRC
In a critical step forward in the mission to end colorectal cancer, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance has announced Project Cure CRC. The initiative reflects the Alliance’s renewed effort to fund tens of millions of dollars in expedited, novel colorectal cancer research over the next two years.
With this bold and urgent undertaking, the Alliance seeks to create major breakthroughs in colorectal cancer diagnosis, treatment, metastasis, and survivorship. Project Cure CRC resources will support investigators dedicated to colorectal cancer research and will help fuel leading-edge studies, clinical trials, and collaborations to drive progress toward more effective and personalized treatments for colorectal cancer patients. The fund will catapult a radical new endeavor aimed at discovering innovative advancements and ultimately a cure for the disease.
The First Project
The first $1.6 million of a substantially larger investment will fund research by Raghu Kalluri, M.D., Ph.D., at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
His project aims to develop urgently needed therapeutic options for the 96% of colorectal cancer patients with microsatellite stable (MSS). Current CRC treatments for these patients have long-term surgical and/or toxic side effects that greatly impact the quality of life of survivors. In addition, patients tend to develop resistance to therapy over time, leaving them out of therapeutic options.
This research will seek novel and effective therapeutic options that can be developed rapidly.
Kalluri Discusses His Research
Raghu Kalluri, MD, PhD, shares how his research will improve treatment for a "large percentage of patients who do not have many options."
Cure CRC Summit
To ignite cutting-edge research ideas and efforts, the Alliance will host its first-ever Cure CRC Summit, convening the nation’s top colorectal cancer scientists in Miami this December. Summit co-chairs include Scott Kopetz, M.D. from MD Anderson, Christopher Lieu, M.D. from the University of Colorado Medicine, and John Marshall, M.D. from the Ruesch Center at Georgetown University, as well as Alliance board member Yekaterina Chudnovsky and Alliance CEO Michael Sapienza.
The invitation-only summit seeks to:
- Identify the best science available
- Accelerate the creation, implementation, and recruitment for clinical trials
- Encourage private and public partnerships
- Catalyze our investments by finding matching donors to double our efforts
Leadership
Project Cure CRC Co-Chairs
Michael Sapienza
CEO, Colorectal Cancer Alliance
Katie Chudnovsky
Board Member, Colorectal Cancer Alliance
Alliance Project Lead
David Fenstermacher, PhD
Senior Director of Research and Medical Affairs, Colorectal Cancer Alliance
Scientific Co-Chairs
John Marshall, MD
Georgetown University
Scott Kopetz, MD, PhD, FACP
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Christopher Lieu, MD
University of Colorado Cancer Center
Patient Advocate Co-Chair
John Woerner
mCRC Survivor and Board Member, Colorectal Cancer Alliance
Grant Review Committee
J. Randolph Hecht, MD
UCLA Health
Scott Kopetz, MD, PhD, FACP
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Christopher Lieu, MD
University of Colorado Cancer Center
John Marshall, MD
Georgetown University
Alan P. Venook, MD
UCSF Health
Support the Project
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance invites the public, corporations, foundations, and philanthropic individuals to join us by contributing to Project Cure CRC.
Submit Proposals
Researchers interested in learning how to submit proposals for potential funding can email research@ccalliance.org.