Researchers at North Dakota State University's College of Health Professions in Fargo, N.D., received a three-year $435,000 grant from the NIH to study colon cancer. The study is led by Steven Qian, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacy in NDSU's School of Pharmacy.
1. Cancer patients often have high levels of the membrane-bound enzyme cyclooxygenase.
2. Most cancer treatments attempt to limit these high levels of cyclooxygenase. However, Dr. Qian says that cyclooxygenase inhibitors can injure the gastrointestinal tract and increase risk of cardiovascular disease.
3. Rather than inhibiting cyclooxygenase, Dr. Qian and his research team plan to research cyclooxygenase to see if the enzyme can be used to control cancer growth.
4. The researchers hope to use their findings to create therapies that combat colon cancer, while also decreasing the side effects of chemotherapy.
5. This grant was awarded by two parts of the NIH — the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.