How dietary fats influence breast cancer in obese women

Dietary lipids as drivers and therapeutic targets in obesity-accelerated breast cancer

NIH-funded research University of Utah · NIH-10973832

This study is looking at how the fats we eat might help breast cancer grow in women who are overweight, and it hopes to find new ways to treat this type of cancer by understanding how these cancer cells use fats for energy.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Utah NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Salt Lake City, United States)
Project IDNIH-10973832 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how dietary lipids contribute to the growth of breast cancer in women with obesity. It aims to understand the metabolic changes that occur in breast cancer cells when exposed to high levels of dietary fats, as well as how these changes can be targeted for new treatments. The study will explore whether breast cancer cells prefer to use fats instead of sugars for energy in obese patients, and how this preference affects tumor growth. By identifying unique metabolic vulnerabilities in these cancer cells, the research seeks to develop more effective therapies for obesity-related breast cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are postmenopausal women who are obese and diagnosed with breast cancer.

Not a fit: Patients who are not obese or do not have breast cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment strategies that specifically target breast cancer in obese patients, potentially improving outcomes and survival rates.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in targeting metabolic pathways in cancer, suggesting that this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

Salt Lake City, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.