Fatty acid engine driving cancer spread via exosomes in colorectal cancer
Official title: Fatty Acid Synthase Driven Exosome Secretion in Colorectal Cancer Metastasis
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11291412 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant explores how fatty acid synthesis in colorectal cancer drives the release of exosomes that may help cancer spread, with the goal of developing better treatments for people with metastatic disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $154,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R03CA308625-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11291412 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with colorectal cancer at risk of metastasis or with metastatic disease may benefit from future therapies arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without colorectal cancer or without metastasis may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Colorectal cancer often spreads to the liver, and current treatments are not enough to prevent relapse. The project focuses on fatty acid synthase (FASN) as a key driver of exosome production that helps create a pre-metastatic niche in the liver. By studying how tumor-derived exosomes interact with liver cells, researchers aim to identify new therapeutic targets to stop metastasis from forming. The study uses preclinical models to link lipid production, exosome signaling, and metastatic progression, with potential implications for future patient-directed therapies. If successful, these findings could lead to strategies that complement surgery and chemotherapy to improve outcomes for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could lead to new ways to prevent or treat liver metastases in colorectal cancer, potentially extending survival and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work linking lipid metabolism and exosome signaling to metastasis has shown promising mechanistic insights, supporting potential translational impact.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zaytseva, Yekaterina — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Zaytseva, Yekaterina
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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.