Genetic and environmental risks for fatty liver–related liver cancer in Latino adults
Genetic and Environmental risk of NAFLD-related HCC In All Latinos: the GENIAL Study
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 ID | NIH-11175366 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: 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.
Not a fit: 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.
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 performed: 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
Coral Gables, United States
- 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
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.