DNA markers that link obesity to cancer risk
Obesity Related Methylation Markers for Obesity-related Cancers
Researchers will use blood DNA patterns to improve prediction of cancer risk in people with obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11395811 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will analyze existing blood DNA methylation data from a large, diverse long-term study (ARIC) to find DNA patterns tied to body fat and cancer risk. The team will focus on 13 cancers known to be more common with higher body weight and look for methylation markers that track with both obesity and cancer. They will examine the genes and regulatory regions connected to those markers to learn which biological pathways may drive obesity-related cancers. Finally, they will build and test a combined DNA methylation score to see if it predicts cancer risk better than BMI alone.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with overweight or obesity, especially those already enrolled in long-term health studies or willing to share blood samples and medical history.
Not a fit: People without excess body weight or those not at risk for obesity-related cancers may not see direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help identify people with obesity who have higher cancer risk so they can get earlier screening or prevention.
How similar studies have performed: Previous blood methylation studies have repeatedly found obesity-linked markers and some links to cancer biology, but creating a combined methylation score for multiple obesity-related cancers is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Kansas City, United States
- University of Kansas Medical Center — Kansas City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Naisi — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Naisi
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.