Exploring how surgery affects the immune response and liver cancer spread
Official title: Surgery triggered immune response and liver metastases
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11075861 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how exercise before surgery can help people with colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver by boosting their immune system and reducing inflammation, which might lead to better recovery and lower chances of cancer coming back.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2018 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $404,645 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA214865-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075861 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are colorectal cancer patients scheduled for surgery, particularly those with liver metastases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing surgery or those with non-colorectal cancers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of pre-operative exercise therapy on patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer with liver metastases. It aims to understand how exercise can modify the immune response and reduce inflammation, potentially improving surgical outcomes. By analyzing changes in immune cell behavior and function, the study seeks to identify mechanisms that could prevent cancer recurrence after surgery. Patients may be involved in exercise programs designed to enhance their recovery and overall health before surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved surgical outcomes and reduced recurrence of liver metastases in colorectal cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that pre-operative exercise can positively influence surgical outcomes, suggesting that this approach may be effective in this context as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tsung, Allan — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Tsung, Allan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
TREM2+ macrophages and liver metastases in pancreatic cancer
Researchers are studying immune cells in liver metastases from pancreatic cancer to understand how they influence the cancer’s spread and more effective treatments.
-
Immune regulation in colon cancer and its spread to lymph nodes and liver
A patient-friendly look at how immune system circuits in colorectal cancer and its metastases may influence treatment responses and outcomes.
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Ablating Liver Metastases with SBRT to Boost Immunotherapy in Melanoma
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-
Targeting stress defenses in eye melanoma that spreads to the liver
Researchers are working to weaken tumor cells' defenses against oxidative damage so liver metastases from uveal (eye) melanoma in adults become more vulnerable to treatment.
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Exercise before liver surgery to lower colorectal cancer recurrence
Exercise before liver surgery aims to calm harmful immune responses and reduce the chance colorectal cancer comes back in the liver for people with liver metastases.
-
Immune cell circuits in primary colon tumors and their lymph node and liver metastases
This project looks at how immune cells and their neighborhoods behave in people with the common pMMR form of colon cancer to find ways to make immunotherapy work better.
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.