How the liver enzyme SphK2 affects men’s and women’s risk of liver cancer
Sphingosine kinase 2 in sexual dimorphism of hepatocellular carcinoma
This project looks at whether the enzyme SphK2 helps protect women but promotes liver cancer in men with diet-related fatty liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166379 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team uses a mouse model that mimics how fatty liver disease (NASH) can progress to hepatocellular carcinoma in people. They compare normal mice to mice lacking the SphK2 enzyme to see why male and female animals respond differently on the same diet. Researchers will study liver cells, subcellular organelles, and signaling pathways to pinpoint mechanisms by which SphK2 changes cancer risk. The goal is to link those findings back to human disease biology to guide future preventive or treatment approaches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH) or cirrhosis who are at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma would be the most relevant group for future clinical follow-up or sample donation.
Not a fit: Patients whose liver cancer is driven mainly by active viral hepatitis or unrelated genetic causes may not benefit directly from SphK2-targeted approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If confirmed, the findings could point to SphK2 or related pathways as targets for therapies or prevention strategies tailored by sex to lower liver cancer risk.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research links sphingolipid signaling and SphK2 to liver biology and cancer, but applying this specifically to sex differences in diet-related HCC is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Richmond, United States
- Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Green, Christopher D — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Green, Christopher D
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.