How obesity and diabetes-related metabolism may raise cancer risk

Metabolic Dysregulation and Cancer Risk Program: Coordinating Center

NIH-funded research George Washington University · NIH-11164589

Researchers are developing shared ways to measure how obesity-related metabolic problems, like those in type 2 diabetes, may increase cancer risk to help people at risk.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionGeorge Washington University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Washington, United States)
Project IDNIH-11164589 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project brings together experts in nutrition, exercise, metabolism, body composition, biostatistics, and bioinformatics to understand links between obesity-related metabolic problems and cancer. Teams will create common measurements across different cancer types, analyze patient data and biological samples, and use computational methods to identify molecular pathways that connect metabolic dysregulation to cancer initiation and development. The coordinating center at George Washington University will manage collaboration, standardize protocols, harmonize data, and support statistical and computational analyses across sites. The work focuses on finding measurable targets that could be used in future prevention strategies or trials.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with obesity, metabolic syndrome, or type 2 diabetes, and those with a history of obesity-linked cancers are the most likely candidates for related studies and sample donations.

Not a fit: People without obesity-related metabolic problems or those seeking immediate cancer treatment, rather than prevention or risk research, are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Could identify measurable metabolic targets and risk markers that help prevent cancer in people with obesity or type 2 diabetes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked obesity and diabetes to higher cancer risk, but this coordinated effort to standardize measures and discover metabolic prevention targets is a newer, larger-scale approach.

Where this research is happening

Washington, 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 Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
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.