Aging and liver cancer: new ways to prevent and fight hepatocellular carcinoma
Official title: Aging as a Risk Factor and Target for Prevention of Liver Cancer
Funded at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · NIH-11602178 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how aging promotes liver cancer and tests new preventive approaches that could help people at higher risk due to age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $758,616 |
| NIH project number | 3P01AG073084-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11602178 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults at elevated risk for hepatocellular carcinoma due to age and related metabolic/immune factors.
✕Less likely to help
People without age-related risk factors or those not affected by liver cancer may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
If you or a loved one are at higher risk for liver cancer because of age, this program looks at how aging changes liver cells, immune signals, and metabolism to drive cancer. Researchers will study mitochondria, chromatin, bile acids, and immune system changes to understand what paths aging follows to worsen liver cancer. They will also test interventions that might interrupt these aging-driven processes to prevent or treat liver cancer in at-risk individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new strategies to prevent liver cancer in older adults and improve outcomes for patients with the disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has linked aging and immune changes to cancer risk, with some interventions showing potential but the exact aging-cancer pathways in the liver remain under study.
Where this research is happening
-
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Adams, Peter D. — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- Study coordinator: Adams, Peter D.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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-
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-
Investigating how cytoplasmic chromatin fragments contribute to liver cancer during aging
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This study looks at how getting older can raise the chances of developing liver cancer and aims to find ways to help older adults stay healthier by understanding the changes in their liver as they age.
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Aging Well with HIV: Alcohol, Risk Reduction, and Education Center (AWAR3E)
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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.