At a time when cancer research is experiencing uncertainty and setbacks in America, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance (Alliance) is strengthening its commitment to its Project Cure CRC initiative because tomorrow can’t wait. Project Cure CRC funds cutting-edge colorectal cancer (CRC) research and aims to improve patient outcomes through its dynamic patient navigation portal, BlueHQ.org. As the leading nonprofit dedicated to ending the disease, the Alliance awarded three new grants from Project Cure CRC and presented two poster sessions at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2025. To date, the total Project Cure CRC investment in innovative colorectal cancer research is more than $11.2 million with 24 grants funded.
Without research, there is no progress. Project Cure CRC provides critically needed funding to explore high-risk, high-reward breakthroughs in treatments for colorectal cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer death in the nation. Here are highlights from the poster sessions presented at AACR, as well as recent grants funded.
Project Cure CRC Poster Sessions at AACR:
Title: “Advancing Colorectal Cancer Research and Personalized Treatment through a CRC Platform Clinical Trial”
Summary: The CRC platform trial will establish a collaborative, data-driven framework to accelerate the translation of research into clinical application. By incorporating ongoing adjustments and emphasizing targeted therapies, the trial aligns with the Alliance’s mission to deliver impactful research and offer personalized, effective treatments to CRC patients with limited options under current care.
Presenting Authors: Kim Newcomer, David Fenstermacher, Michael Sapienza
Title: “Advancing Precision Medicine in Colorectal Cancer through Innovative Research and Targeted Therapies”
Summary: The Alliance is committed to advancing precision medicine and addressing key gaps in CRC care, particularly for patients with treatment-resistant profiles. By funding high-impact research and fostering collaboration, Project Cure CRC aims to accelerate the development of personalized, effective treatments for CRC patients, transforming the landscape of colorectal cancer care through personalized treatments, faster access to therapies, and improved outcomes.
Presenting Authors: Kim Newcomer, David Fenstermacher, Michael Sapienza
Project Cure CRC Grants:
Recipients of the most recent Project Cure CRC grants include investigators focusing on various topics in colorectal cancer:
● Brandon Bordeau, Ph.D., University of Michigan – Antibody PROTAC Conjugates for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer ($200,000)
● Karin Pelka, Ph.D., The J. David Gladstone Institutes – Shattering the Immunotherapy Ceiling in Colorectal Cancer ($500,000)
● Raul Mostoslavsky, M.D., Ph.D., Massachusetts General Hospital – Targeting Novel Drivers of Metastatic Disease in Colorectal Cancer ($200,000)
For more information on Project Cure CRC, to donate, or to submit a research proposal, please visit colorectalcancer.org/research.
Disclosure: This short article was provided by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance (Alliance). No funding or publication fees were involved in the publication of this article.
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