How algal microcystin mixtures may affect liver disease and cancer risk.
Human Epidemiologic and Toxicity Assessment of Microcystin Mixture Effects on Hepatic Disease and Cancer
['FUNDING_P01'] · NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY RALEIGH · NIH-11371088
This project looks at whether mixtures of microcystin toxins from harmful algal blooms increase the chance of fatty liver disease and liver cancer for people living near affected waterways.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_P01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY RALEIGH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (RALEIGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11371088 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you live near the Pamlico-Albemarle Sound or other coastal/Great Lakes areas with harmful algal blooms, researchers will use stored blood and questionnaire samples from the ongoing Southern Liver Health Study to look for links between microcystin mixtures and liver disease. They will perform a nested case-control comparison of people with and without liver disease and measure specific microcystin variants like MC-LR and MC-RR to see if higher exposure corresponds with more disease. Laboratory experiments will test how mixtures found in local blooms and seafood affect liver cells and how the pollutant PFOS changes microcystin toxicity. The project combines community samples, seafood and water monitoring, and modeling from other center projects so findings are relevant to coastal communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who live in or near Eastern North Carolina's Pamlico-Albemarle Sound (or similar coastal/Great Lakes areas) who can provide health questionnaires and biological samples, especially those with or at risk for liver disease.
Not a fit: People with no exposure to harmful algal blooms, who do not live in affected regions, or whose liver disease is clearly caused by unrelated factors are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify whether exposure to algal toxins contributes to fatty liver disease and liver cancer and inform public-health warnings, seafood advisories, and prevention strategies.
How similar studies have performed: There is very limited human data on microcystin-linked liver cancer, so this project addresses a major data gap and is relatively novel in using community samples for this question.
Where this research is happening
RALEIGH, UNITED STATES
- NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY RALEIGH — RALEIGH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BELCHER, SCOTT M — NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY RALEIGH
- Study coordinator: BELCHER, SCOTT M
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.