How a common liver gene change may drive liver cancer in fatty liver disease
Bile Acid-Mediated Signaling In HCC
Testing whether a common genetic change (PNPLA3 I148M) in people with fatty liver disease increases inflammation and raises the chance of developing liver cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159519 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You'll hear researchers looking at how the PNPLA3 I148M gene change alters signaling in liver cells and immune cells to promote NASH and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). They will use laboratory models that carry the human gene change, study bile-acid and S1PR2 signaling pathways, and analyze tissue and blood markers tied to liver injury. The team will connect lab findings to patient-derived samples and clinical data to pinpoint steps that push fatty liver toward cancer. The work aims to find measurable signals and potential treatment targets for people with fatty liver disease who carry this gene change.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), especially those known to carry or at high risk for the PNPLA3 I148M genetic variant, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People whose liver disease is unrelated to NAFLD/NASH or who do not carry the PNPLA3 I148M variant are less likely to see direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to tests or treatments that prevent or slow liver cancer in people with NAFLD/NASH who have the PNPLA3 I148M variant.
How similar studies have performed: Previous human genetic studies consistently link PNPLA3 I148M to higher liver-fat and cancer risk, but mechanistic lab work tying this variant to bile-acid signaling and cancer development is newer and less established.
Where this research is happening
Richmond, United States
- Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sanyal, Arun J — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Sanyal, Arun J
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.