Balancing two liver proteins (NRF2 and FBP1) to stop fatty liver disease from becoming liver cancer
Project 1: Control of NASH to HCC progression by the NRF2-FBP1 tug-of-war
This project looks at whether changing the balance between two liver proteins could help people with NASH (advanced fatty liver disease) avoid developing liver cancer.
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 ID | NIH-11189755 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are studying how the proteins NRF2 and FBP1 interact in liver cells and how that interaction may drive advanced fatty liver disease (NASH) toward liver cancer (HCC). They analyze human NASH tissue and use a mouse model that develops NASH on a high-fructose diet to track protein changes, DNA damage, and cell senescence. The team maps related pathways (including AKT, ERK1/2, and TP53) and tests how altering those signals affects tumor initiation. Results may point to new drug targets or blood/tissue markers to identify and protect high-risk patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults with advanced NASH or liver fibrosis who might donate tissue or clinical data and are at higher risk for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Not a fit: People without NASH, patients whose liver cancer is driven by other causes (such as viral hepatitis), or those with advanced, established HCC are less likely to benefit from the prevention-focused findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets or biomarkers to prevent NASH from progressing to liver cancer or to catch cancer earlier in at-risk patients.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has connected NRF2 and FBP1 to liver cancer biology, but directly targeting their cross-regulation to block NASH-to-HCC progression is a novel strategy.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karin, Michael — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- Study coordinator: Karin, Michael
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 below.