High-fat diet and immune cell changes in pancreatic cancer
Official title: High-fat diet regulates granulocyte metabolism and function in pancreatic cancer
Funded at University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr · NIH-11444528 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how a lard-based high-fat diet changes the immune system and tumor growth in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer to understand obesity-related effects on the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $525,586 |
| NIH project number | 1U01CA296929-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11444528 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with pancreatic cancer or those at risk who could contribute to future translational studies, or individuals interested in how diet impacts cancer biology.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without pancreatic cancer or related metabolic conditions may not directly benefit from this preclinical mouse study.
What this research studies
Researchers will feed mice a lard-based high-fat diet before implanting pancreatic cancer cells and compare tumor growth and immune cell changes to mice on a standard diet. They will examine how the diet alters Gr1+ granulocytes and other systemic immune responses, as well as tumor metabolism and progression in an orthotopic model. The study aims to uncover mechanisms by which obesity and fatty acids influence pancreatic cancer biology and treatment resistance. Findings could inform dietary considerations and metabolic targets for future therapies in humans with pancreatic cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Gaining insight into how obesity-related diet affects pancreatic cancer could lead to new dietary guidance and metabolic targets to improve patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that high-fat diets can alter immune cells and tumor metabolism in cancer models, supporting the relevance of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
Oklahoma City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mehla, Kamiya — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
- Study coordinator: Mehla, Kamiya
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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.