How aging raises liver cancer risk and ways to prevent it
Official title: Aging as a Risk Factor and Target for Prevention of Liver Cancer
Funded at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · NIH-11160726 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are exploring whether targeting age-related changes in cells and immune signals can lower the risk of liver cancer in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $2,530,091 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AG073084-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11160726 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be older adults at elevated risk for hepatocellular carcinoma—for example people with chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, or related risk factors—who are willing to donate samples or participate in clinical components at the study site.
✕Less likely to help
People without liver disease or with cancers unrelated to liver aging are unlikely to see direct benefits from this specific project.
What this research studies
This project looks at how aging harms mitochondria, gene regulation, metabolism (including bile acids), and immune signaling in the liver and how those changes may let cancer develop. The team will use laboratory experiments, animal models, and analysis of human tissue and blood samples to map the harmful network, focusing on chronic interferon signaling. They will test interventions in models to reverse or interrupt these age-related changes and observe whether cancer risk is reduced. The aim is to find biological targets that could lead to new prevention or treatment options for older people at risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or better treat liver cancer in older adults by targeting age-related biology.
How similar studies have gone: Some preclinical studies support targeting age-related pathways to reduce cancer risk in animals, but translating these findings into effective human prevention strategies remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Adams, Peter D. — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- Study coordinator: Adams, Peter D.
Related research
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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.