How fat in our bodies may link obesity to breast cancer risk through A-FABP
Official title: Determine the molecular and metabolic mechanisms by which A-FABP links dysregulated lipid metabolism-induced obesity/breast cancer risk
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11392942 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how a protein called A-FABP helps obesity from high-fat diets increase the risk of breast cancer, with potential targets for prevention.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | August 12, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,228,788 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA272424-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11392942 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with obesity or at risk for obesity-related breast cancer could ultimately benefit from advances in prevention or therapy targeting A-FABP.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without obesity or breast cancer risk factors may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
The researchers want to understand how high-fat diets change fat metabolism and promote breast cancer through A-FABP in fat tissue and tumor environments. They will study the role of A-FABP in tumor-associated macrophages and cancer cells to see how it drives more aggressive cancer features. The project includes multiple interconnected aims to test how different fats influence obesity and cancer risk and identify possible biomarkers or therapies. If successful, the work could lead to new ways to lower breast cancer risk for people with obesity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A better understanding of how diet and fat metabolism influence breast cancer risk could lead to new prevention strategies or treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have shown a link between A-FABP, obesity, and cancer progression, with promising but early results in this pathway.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Bing — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Li, Bing
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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.