Genetic and environmental risks for fatty liver–related liver cancer in Latino adults
Official title: Genetic and Environmental risk of NAFLD-related HCC In All Latinos: the GENIAL Study
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-11175366 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how genes and life‑time exposures combine to change the chance that Latino adults with fatty liver will develop liver cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $329,649 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA288421-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11175366 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
The most relevant people are Latino adults with a diagnosis of NAFLD (with or without cirrhosis) or Latino participants already enrolled in All of Us, UCLA ATLAS, or liver‑clinic networks.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not Latino, children, or those with liver disease caused by alcohol, viruses, or other non‑NAFLD causes may not benefit directly from the findings.
What this research studies
If you are a Latino adult with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), researchers will use large, diverse health databases and genetic information to find patterns that raise the risk of liver cancer (HCC). They will combine genome‑wide scans, broad health‑record analyses, and polygenic risk scores to capture both inherited and environmental contributors across different Latino groups. The team will pool data from national programs like All of Us and regional resources such as UCLA ATLAS and work with liver clinics to make sure results reflect Latino diversity. The goal is to create more precise risk estimates that could guide how closely people are monitored.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify Latino patients at higher risk for NAFLD-related liver cancer so they can get earlier monitoring or preventive care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous genetic studies have identified variants (for example PNPLA3) linked to fatty liver and related outcomes, but few have included diverse Latino populations, so this approach builds on prior successes while addressing a gap.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jones, Patricia Denise — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Jones, Patricia Denise
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Lipid signals that control acetyl-CoA and fat metabolism in NAFLD
A study exploring how membrane lipids influence acetyl-CoA metabolism to understand and potentially treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
-
Long-term study of NAFLD progression and gut bacteria in diverse groups
We’re following people over time to see how the gut microbiome and diet relate to fatty liver disease progression in diverse racial/ethnic groups.
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Genetic and environmental risk for fatty liver cancer in Latinos (GENIAL)
A study to understand why Latino people with fatty liver disease might be more likely to develop liver cancer and to use genetic and environmental clues to predict who is at higher risk.
-
Toxic fats, vitamin B12 loss, and AHR may drive fatty liver disease
This grant looks at how certain environmental chemicals may trigger liver damage linked to fatty liver disease and how a vitamin found in the blood could be affected.
-
Role of cholesterol metabolism in toxin-driven liver disease
This grant explores how a liver toxin called TCDD affects cholesterol and fatty liver disease, and how a key enzyme (HMGCR) might change that risk in adults.
-
Small blood particle signals and fatty liver in children and teens
Researchers are looking at whether molecules carried in tiny blood particles can explain or signal fatty liver disease in children and adolescents with excess weight.
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.