How body fat and fat-related gene activity in tumors affect breast cancer outcomes
Understanding the role of adiposity and adipokine-related RNA expression in the tumor microenvironment on breast cancer outcomes in a racially and ethnically diverse sample
This project looks at how different kinds of body fat and fat-related gene activity in breast tumors relate to outcomes for people with breast cancer from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10993119 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team measures body fat distribution with CT scans and detailed body-composition metrics and analyzes tumor tissue for adipokine-related RNA and protein (for example, leptin and adiponectin and their receptors). They will link these precise fat measures and tumor biomarker patterns to outcomes such as recurrence and survival using data from a racially and ethnically diverse group of patients. The project builds on earlier findings that visceral versus subcutaneous fat and adipokine expression vary by sociodemographic factors and associate with more aggressive tumor features. The goal is to identify adiposity-related tumor markers that better predict breast cancer outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with a history of breast cancer who can provide access to their tumor tissue and imaging or body-composition data, especially patients from diverse racial and ethnic groups.
Not a fit: People without breast cancer or without available tumor samples or body-imaging data are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, results could help identify patients at higher risk of recurrence and guide more personalized follow-up or treatment decisions.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research, including the investigators' own work, has linked fat distribution and tumor leptin/adiponectin patterns with aggressive breast cancer features, but using these markers to predict long-term outcomes remains relatively new.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Llanos, Adana a. M. — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Llanos, Adana a. 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.