NIH Reporter #5R01CA272898-05

The Role of Secondary Bile Acids in Gastro-Esophageal Neoplasia

This NIH-funded project by Columbia University Health Sciences studies the impact of secondary bile acids on stem cells at the gastroesophageal junction to understand and prevent gastroesophageal cancers, aiming to identify new therapeutic targets.

Description

Stem and progenitor cells at the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) are crucial in the development of adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus, GEJ, and proximal stomach. These cancers have over 20,000 new cases annually in the U.S., with high mortality. The project aims to understand how secondary bile acids produced by gut bacteria influence GEJ stem cells and promote early cancer development. Using mouse models, organoids, and patient studies, the research will explore mechanisms involving FXR antagonism and microenvironment changes, with the goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets.

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