How obesity changes how radiation fights cancer
The Impact of Obesity on Radiotherapy Anti-Tumor Effects
This project looks at whether obesity and the hormone leptin make cancers harder to kill with radiation in people with cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11284001 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team will compare tumors from obese and lean models and look at data from cancer patients to see why radiation works less well in obesity. They will study cancer cell survival proteins and immune T cell responses in the tumor environment to find what blocks radiation’s effects. The researchers will test whether leptin signaling and anti-apoptotic factors are responsible and whether targeting them can restore radiation sensitivity. Findings will be compared with clinical observations to guide possible new treatment strategies for obese patients receiving radiation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with cancer who are obese and receiving or planned to receive radiation therapy.
Not a fit: Patients who are not obese or whose cancers are not treated with radiation are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific line of work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to make radiation therapy work better for obese cancer patients and lower recurrence rates.
How similar studies have performed: Previous preclinical and clinical data show obesity is linked to poorer radiation responses, but targeting leptin-driven immune suppression and anti-apoptotic pathways is a relatively new approach with limited clinical testing.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Monjazeb, Arta Monir — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Monjazeb, Arta Monir
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 below.