How fatty liver disease affects cancer spread in the liver

Steatotic Liver Promotes Metastatic Niche: Role of Hepatic Stellate Cells

NIH-funded research Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-11167255

This study is looking at how issues like fatty liver disease and metabolism can help certain cancers, like colorectal and pancreatic cancer, grow and spread, especially in people with obesity, to find new ways to treat these cancers.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-11167255 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how metabolic dysfunction and fatty liver disease contribute to the spread of gastrointestinal cancers, particularly colorectal and pancreatic cancers. It focuses on the role of hepatic stellate cells in creating a supportive environment for cancer cells to thrive and metastasize in the liver. By studying the molecular mechanisms involved, the research aims to uncover how these cells interact with cancer cells and immune responses, especially in patients with obesity. The findings could lead to new therapeutic strategies to combat liver metastasis in cancer patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with gastrointestinal cancers, such as colorectal or pancreatic cancer, who also have metabolic dysfunction or fatty liver disease.

Not a fit: Patients without gastrointestinal cancers or those who do not have metabolic dysfunction or fatty liver disease may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for patients with liver metastasis from gastrointestinal cancers, potentially enhancing survival rates.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of liver microenvironments in cancer metastasis, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, 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.
Conditions anti-cancer
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.