Gut bacteria and metabolites linked to breast density and cancer risk
Official title: Multi-omics & AI-based imaging to identify biomarkers of molecular targets for breast cancer prevention
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11608571 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small, patient-friendly study will explore whether gut bacteria and their byproducts are connected to high breast density, which can raise cancer risk and make screening less accurate.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $276,406 |
| NIH project number | 6R21CA291905-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11608571 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women with varying levels of mammographic breast density who are willing to provide stool and blood samples.
✕Less likely to help
Women with low breast density or those unwilling to provide samples may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the gut microbiome and its chemical messengers relate to high mammographic breast density, a known breast cancer risk factor. By analyzing gut bacteria and systemic metabolites, researchers hope to identify modifiable factors that influence breast density and could lead to new prevention strategies. The study will gather biological samples and apply advanced data methods to link microbial and metabolic profiles with breast density levels. Participation may involve providing stool and blood samples and completing health questionnaires to understand personal risk factors. If successful, findings could point to dietary or therapeutic approaches to lower breast density and cancer risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the study identifies actionable gut-related factors, it could guide new prevention strategies to reduce breast cancer risk linked to high breast density.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests links between the gut microbiome and breast cancer risk, but this project investigates the gut microbiome and systemic metabolites together with breast density, which is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Modugno, Francesmary — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Modugno, Francesmary
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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.