Cyanobacteria, cyanotoxins, and liver cancer development
Funded at University of Hawaii at Manoa · NIH-11326246 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores whether exposure to blue-green algae and their toxins may contribute to liver cancer risk in adults, especially where metabolic disease is present.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $606,096 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA284379-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11326246 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults in the U.S. or Central America who develop hepatocellular carcinoma or chronic liver disease and have available biospecimens and exposure data.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without exposure data or those not at risk for liver disease may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
If funded, researchers will study people in several regions to see if past exposure to cyanobacteria and toxins like microcystin is linked to liver cancer and chronic liver disease. The project uses blood, urine, oral samples, and tumor tissue to compare people with liver cancer or chronic liver disease to similar individuals without disease. By linking exposure data with disease outcomes, scientists hope to identify possible pathways between cyanotoxins and liver damage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding cyanotoxin exposure could lead to new prevention strategies and earlier risk identification for liver cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work has shown associations between cyanotoxin exposure and liver-related conditions, but direct links to liver cancer require further confirmation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hernandez, Brenda Yukari — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Hernandez, Brenda Yukari
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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.