Body fat, muscle, and clot-related inflammation in colorectal cancer outcomes
Body composition and adiposity-associated thromboinflammation in colorectal cancer prognosis
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 ID | NIH-11306648 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: 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.
Not a fit: 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.
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 performed: 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
Tampa, United States
- 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
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.