Diet, gut microbes, and metabolic health in families to prevent early colorectal cancer
Official title: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Investigating Metabolic Dysregulation in Obese Parent and Child Dyads and Risk of Colorectal Cancer
Funded at University of South Carolina at Columbia · NIH-11373519 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A family-based dietary plan targets gut microbes and metabolic inflammation in adults and children at higher risk for colorectal cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | August 16, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,152,172 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA272977-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11373519 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults and their children (cohabitating dyads) at elevated risk for colorectal cancer, particularly those with obesity/metabolic dysregulation.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without obesity or metabolic risk factors or not willing to participate in a family-based dietary intervention may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests an anti-inflammatory diet together with lifestyle guidance for both adults and their children who are at elevated risk for colorectal cancer. It uses a dyad approach to see how changing diet and body fat affects gut microbes and metaflammation, with a parallel animal study to explore mechanisms. The study combines epidemiology, dietary interventions, and mechanistic science to understand EOCRC and related cancers. By engaging families and leveraging existing centers, the team aims to generate practical strategies for reducing cancer risk through modifiable factors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could reduce inflammation and metabolic dysfunction linked to obesity, potentially lowering EOCRC risk for participants and similar high-risk populations.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows dietary modulation can alter gut microbiota and inflammation, supporting potential benefits for cancer prevention; this study extends to family dyads and EOCRC.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hebert, James R — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Hebert, James R
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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.