Body fat, muscle, and clot-related inflammation in colorectal cancer outcomes
Official title: Body composition and adiposity-associated thromboinflammation in colorectal cancer prognosis
Funded at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst · NIH-11306648 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses AI analysis of CT scans plus blood and tumor tests to link patterns of fat and muscle with clotting-related inflammation that may change outcomes for people with colorectal cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $764,357 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276496-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11306648 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with colorectal cancer who have recent CT imaging and are willing to provide blood and/or tumor samples and clinical follow-up would be ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without colorectal cancer or those unable or unwilling to undergo CT imaging or provide blood/tumor samples are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
From your perspective, researchers will use an automated AI platform to measure detailed volumes of fat and muscle from routine CT scans so your body composition is characterized more precisely than BMI. They will also measure blood and tumor markers of platelet activation and inflammation that reflect a clotting–inflammation process called thromboinflammation. By combining the imaging and biological data, the team will look for connections between body composition, treatment side effects, and cancer outcomes. The work is being done at a cancer center and would use scans and samples collected during standard care where possible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help tailor treatments and supportive care for colorectal cancer patients based on body composition and clotting-related inflammation to reduce toxicity and improve outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has linked visceral fat and low muscle to worse cancer outcomes and AI CT methods have shown promise, but combining detailed volumetric imaging with thromboinflammation measures in colorectal cancer is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
-
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Byrd, Doratha Armenthus — H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Byrd, Doratha Armenthus
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Investigating how body fat affects colorectal cancer outcomes
This study is looking at how being overweight might affect the outcomes of colorectal cancer by using special technology to get a better picture of body fat and muscle, and it hopes to find new ways to help treat patients based on their unique needs.
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Colorectal cancer prognosis through a broad, collaborative study
A large, multi-center study follows people newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer to find biomarkers and patterns that predict outcomes and guide future care.
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ColoCare: following people with colorectal cancer to find blood and microbiome signs
This project follows people newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer and collects blood, stool, urine, and tumor samples to find markers that help predict outcomes.
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Body fats and immune signals shaping bladder cancer outlook
This study will look at how body composition and immune/inflammatory states at diagnosis relate to the outlook for people with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
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ColoCare: colorectal cancer survivorship and prognosis
This project follows people newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer to find blood, tissue, stool, and lifestyle markers that help predict outcomes.
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ColoCare: tracking health and recovery after colorectal cancer
This project follows people with colorectal cancer over time to find blood, stool, and tissue signs that predict recovery and long-term outcomes.
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.