Adipose Tissue Tiny Messengers and Colorectal Cancer in Veterans
Official title: Adipose Tissue Extracellular Vesicles in Colorectal Tumorigenesis
Funded at VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System · NIH-11529456 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study with veterans explores how fat tissue may send tiny vesicles that affect colon cancer cells, especially when obesity is present.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005288-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11529456 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with obesity or overweight status, particularly veterans, who may contribute adipose tissue samples or participate in related analyses.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without obesity or colorectal cancer risk factors may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how extracellular vesicles from fat tissue in obese individuals might influence the first cells that become colorectal cancer. Researchers will examine whether these vesicles change mitochondria and fatty acid metabolism in Lgr5+ colonic stem cells, potentially promoting cancer development. The work uses samples from humans and relevant models to understand a link between obesity, fat-derived signals, and colorectal tumor formation. The goal is to identify new angles for prevention or early intervention for colorectal cancer in veterans with obesity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to new strategies to reduce colorectal cancer risk in people with obesity by targeting fat-tissue signals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous data suggest fat-derived vesicles influence cancer-related metabolism, but this specific link to Lgr5+ stem cells in colorectal cancer is being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Theiss, Arianne L — VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Theiss, Arianne L
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.