Exploring how body fat and related factors affect breast cancer outcomes in diverse populations
Official title: Understanding the role of adiposity and adipokine-related RNA expression in the tumor microenvironment on breast cancer outcomes in a racially and ethnically diverse sample
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10747436 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how body fat affects breast cancer outcomes and how this might differ among different racial and ethnic groups, using advanced imaging to get a clearer picture of fat distribution and examining certain proteins and genes in tumors that could help predict how the cancer behaves.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $671,015 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA277862-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10747436 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with breast cancer who have varying levels of body fat and come from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have breast cancer or those whose body composition does not vary significantly may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between body fat, specifically adiposity, and breast cancer outcomes, focusing on how these factors vary across different racial and ethnic groups. By using advanced imaging techniques like CT scans, the study aims to measure adipose tissue distribution more accurately than traditional methods like BMI. The research also examines the expression of specific proteins and genes in breast tumors that are influenced by body fat and may predict cancer outcomes. This comprehensive approach seeks to uncover the complex interactions between body composition and breast cancer characteristics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment strategies for breast cancer, particularly for racially and ethnically diverse populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the impact of adiposity on cancer outcomes, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Llanos, Adana a. M. — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Llanos, Adana a. M.
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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.