This application for a Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Gastro-intestinal Cancer at the John Hopkins Medical Institutions supports a highly interactive, multidisciplinary program of translational research directed at reducing incidence of and mortality from colorectal and pancreatic cancer. The SPORE includes 4 research programs involving 6 new projects which build upon successful existing programs: Program 1 - Translational applications of molecular genetics for the early diagnosis of colorectal and pancreatic cancer. Project 1 - Pancreatic and colorectal cancer detection using mutant genes in routine clinical samples. Project 2 - Genetic alterations in pancreatic carcinoma and precursors. Program 2 - New prognostic and diagnostic markers for colorectal and pancreatic cancer. Project 3 - CD44 and CD44 splice variant proteins in colorectal and pancreatic cancer. Program 3 - Prevention of colorectal cancer in genetically-destined patients identified by molecular genetic analysis. Project 4 - Primary chemoprevention in presymptomatic adenomatous polyposis coli. Project 5 - Agents and mechanisms of tumor prevention in the MIN model of familial adenomatous polyposis. Program 4 - Gene therapy of pancreatic and colorectal cancer. Project 6 - Development of tumor vaccines for pancreatic and colorectal cancer: Analysis of immune responses. Four cores support the research programs: Core 1 - SPORE administration and communication. Core 2 - Human tissue resource and logistic. Core 3 - Colorectal and pancreatic cancer patient registry. Core 4 - Biostatistics. The SPORE includes a major Developmental Research Program for rapid funding of promising innovative projects at various stages in the translational process. This SPORE is designed to develop areas of basic science with potential impact on colorectal and pancreatic cancer, and to move these promising areas into clinical evaluation including clinical trials. The SPORE is also designed to communicate important findings rapidly into the research community to stimulate investigation, and to bring validated translational findings into the medical community where the research can ultimately reduce incidence of and mortality from these common cancers.
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