Engineering body fat to help fight cancer
Bioengineering adipocytes for cancer therapy
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · NIH-11294324
Turning ordinary fat into heat‑producing, energy‑stealing tissue that may slow tumor growth in people with solid tumors.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11294324 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project aims to reprogram common white fat so it behaves like brown fat that burns sugar and fat. Scientists use CRISPR activation to change genes in fat cells and grow engineered fat organoids. They test these engineered fat tissues with cancer cells in the lab and implant them in animal models to see if tumors slow down. Early lab and mouse results show the engineered fat can limit cancer cell growth.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with solid tumors that depend on glucose and fat metabolism and who are interested in novel, experimental approaches may be most relevant for future trials.
Not a fit: Patients with blood cancers, cancers not driven by glucose/lipid metabolism, or those unable or unwilling to consider surgical or implant procedures are less likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could become a new way to slow tumor growth by redirecting nutrients away from cancers, possibly alongside existing treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies activating natural brown fat have slowed tumor growth, but using engineered fat organoids and CRISPR activation for this purpose is a new approach.
Where this research is happening
SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO — SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: AHITUV, NADAV — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- Study coordinator: AHITUV, NADAV
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.