Ceramides and how they affect metabolism and colorectal cancer in adults
Official title: Ceramides as novel drivers of metabolic dysfunction and colorectal cancer
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11535283 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in adults with obesity-related health issues will explore how a fat-related molecule called ceramide influences metabolic problems and colorectal cancer risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $68,468 |
| NIH project number | 3U01CA272529-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11535283 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with obesity-related metabolic conditions who can contribute serum samples or participate in cohort-based studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without metabolic dysfunction or those not contributing samples or data may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at ceramides, fats in the body, and their link to insulin resistance and colorectal cancer. It uses data from large cohorts and animal experiments to understand how ceramide metabolism may drive cancer risk and how diet or medicines might intervene. By combining epidemiology, clinical data, and lab work, researchers aim to identify ceramide patterns that predict cancer risk and test potential strategies to reduce it. The work could point to new ways to prevent colorectal cancer in people with obesity and metabolic disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new dietary or pharmacologic approaches to lower colorectal cancer risk in people with metabolic dysfunction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked ceramides to metabolic disorders, with ongoing research exploring their connection to cancer risk.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Playdon, Mary Christine — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Playdon, Mary Christine
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving colorectal cancer screening and follow-up care.
This study is working to help more people get screened for colorectal cancer and receive the follow-up care they need, especially those who haven't been screened much before, so that everyone can have better access to important health checks and improve their overall health.
-
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.
-
Automated point-of-care DNA methylation test for colorectal cancer in LMICs
A fast, affordable blood test using DNA markers to help identify people at higher risk of colorectal cancer in low- and middle-income countries.
-
Rewiring Colorectal Cancer to Harness Therapeutic Hyperactivation
A Yale team is exploring brain-storming new ways to treat colorectal cancer by safely boosting certain cancer signaling pathways to kill cancer cells and by reshaping cancer cell states to improve responses to existing therapies.
-
Comparative modeling to guide colorectal cancer screening and care
A researcher team will use computer models to study how access to care, risk, and new screening options affect colorectal cancer outcomes and costs for adults in the US.
-
Making colorectal cancer screening easier and more likely to happen
This project uses default options, simpler choices, and direct outreach to help average-risk adults who are overdue complete colorectal cancer screening with colonoscopy or stool tests.
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.