How statins may help prevent and treat liver cancer
Official title: Molecular Mechanisms by which Statins Prevent and Reverse Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-10931574 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how statins, which are often used to lower cholesterol, might help prevent and treat liver cancer, and it’s for anyone interested in new ways to fight this serious disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $311,876 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA288433-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10931574 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for or diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver cancer types other than hepatocellular carcinoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how statins, commonly used to lower cholesterol, can prevent and treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a serious type of liver cancer. The study will explore the mechanisms by which statins inhibit cancer growth, particularly focusing on their effects on a specific cancer-related protein called MYC. By using advanced mouse models, researchers aim to identify biomarkers that can predict how well patients might respond to statin treatment. This could lead to new strategies for using statins in cancer therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new therapeutic approach for patients with liver cancer, potentially improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results regarding the use of statins in cancer treatment, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Felsher, Dean W — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Felsher, Dean W
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Glutamine and macrophage behavior in liver cancer
A funded project at a medical university aims to understand how the liver’s immune cells interact with a specific type of liver cancer by looking at metabolism, especially glutamine and ammonia.
-
Adding PSMA PET/CT imaging to liver cancer care for veterans
This project tests a new PET imaging approach to help diagnose and guide treatment for liver cancer in veterans.
-
Blood markers to catch early liver cancer in Hispanic people with hepatitis B
This project will see if a blood test can find liver cancer earlier in Hispanic people who have chronic hepatitis B.
-
Early blood markers to find hepatitis B–related liver cancer in Hispanics
This project will use immune-related blood markers to find liver cancer earlier in people with chronic hepatitis B, focusing on Hispanic adults.
-
Towards a blood-based test using nanophotonic exosomes to screen and diagnose liver cancer
A new blood test using tiny particles shed by liver cancer cells aims to screen for hepatocellular carcinoma earlier and more accurately.
-
Metabolic imaging to guide targeted therapy for liver cancer
A clinician-scientist at UPenn is pursuing training to use metabolic imaging to tailor therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.
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.