Arachidonic acid metabolism and the tumor immune environment in colorectal cancer
Official title: Interrogating the role of arachidonic acid metabolism in modulating the tumor immune microenvironment as a novel path to therapeutic intervention
Funded at University of South Florida · NIH-11400307 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how fats called arachidonic acids may influence immune cells inside colorectal tumors, with the goal of finding new ways to help treat cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | September 6, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $617,122 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA293474-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400307 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with colorectal cancer or at risk of CRC who may contribute tissue samples or participate in related analyses.
✕Less likely to help
People without colorectal cancer or those not contributing samples or data may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how arachidonic acid and its breakdown products affect the immune cells that surround colorectal tumors. They plan to combine tissue data, lipid measurements, and gene analyses from human samples and mouse models to map how this metabolism shapes the tumor environment. The work aims to identify molecular targets within this pathway that could be blocked or modulated to improve cancer therapy. Results could inform future strategies to boost immune responses against colorectal cancer and potentially enhance existing treatments. The study is led by a team at the University of South Florida and will run over several years.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal new targets to boost anti-tumor immunity and improve treatment options for colorectal cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest a meaningful link between AA metabolism and immune activity in CRC, supporting further investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Florida
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yeatman, Timothy J — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Yeatman, Timothy J
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.