How dietary arachidonic acid may change the immune response in colorectal cancer
Interrogating the role of arachidonic acid metabolism in modulating the tumor immune microenvironment as a novel path to therapeutic intervention
This project looks at whether arachidonic acid from Western diets and tumor cell debris changes immune cells in colorectal cancer and could point to new treatments for people with colorectal cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11187112 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze tumor and normal tissue from people with colorectal cancer using advanced lipid measurements and single-cell RNA sequencing to see which cells make and respond to arachidonic-acid products. They will combine these human data with mouse experiments that suggest dying cancer cells release fatty acids that promote tumor growth. The team will focus on enzymes in the lipoxygenase pathway (for example ALOX5 and ALOX5AP) and on immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. Findings will be used to identify targets for drugs or dietary approaches to rebalance inflammation and help the immune system control tumors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with colorectal cancer who can provide tumor and normal tissue samples or who may join future clinical trials derived from these findings.
Not a fit: People without colorectal cancer or whose tumors do not show arachidonic-acid-driven inflammation are unlikely to benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new drug targets or dietary strategies that reduce tumor-promoting inflammation and improve outcomes for people with colorectal cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Prior mouse studies and large clinical analyses show immune activity predicts colorectal cancer outcomes and suggest lipid pathways may matter, but the specific role of arachidonic acid in people is still controversial and this approach is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- University of South Florida — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yeatman, Timothy J — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Yeatman, Timothy 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.