How obesity affects the effectiveness of chemotherapy in cancer treatment
Official title: Impact of Obesity on Chemotherapy-Induced Cytotoxicity: Immune Cells and Skeletal Muscle
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11231964 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being overweight might affect how well chemotherapy works and its side effects for people with colon cancer who are treated with a drug called 5-fluorouracil, so we can find better ways to help those patients feel better and live longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | March 2, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $248,999 |
| NIH project number | 4R00CA276891-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11231964 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients, particularly those with colon cancer, who are also classified as obese.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not obese or those with cancers not treated with 5-fluorouracil may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of obesity on the effectiveness and side effects of chemotherapy, specifically focusing on the drug 5-fluorouracil (5FU) used in treating colon cancer. The study aims to understand how obesity influences drug metabolism and immune response, potentially leading to increased toxicity and reduced survival rates in obese cancer patients. By examining the biological mechanisms involved, the research seeks to identify optimal dosing strategies for obese patients to improve treatment outcomes. Patients may be monitored for their response to chemotherapy and any related side effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved chemotherapy dosing strategies for obese cancer patients, enhancing treatment effectiveness and reducing harmful side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that obesity can complicate chemotherapy outcomes, but this specific approach to understanding the mechanisms involved is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vanderveen, Brandon — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Vanderveen, Brandon
Related research
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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.