NIH-funded research R21 grant

Investigating how lipid-rich macrophages affect prostate cancer therapy

Official title: Lipid-Rich Macrophages at the Tumor-Adipose Interface: A New Target for Locally-Invasive Prostate Cancer Therapy

Funded at Endeavor Health Clinical Operations · NIH-10943514 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how certain fat-filled immune cells around the prostate might affect prostate cancer growth, with the hope of finding new ways to treat the disease that are better suited to individual patients.

More Prostate Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEndeavor Health Clinical Operations
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Evanston, United States)
Project startJuly 18, 2024
Project endJune 30, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$433,157
NIH project number1R21CA291898-01
Project IDNIH-10943514 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with locally-invasive prostate cancer who may benefit from targeted therapies.

Less likely to help

Patients with advanced metastatic prostate cancer or those not diagnosed with prostate cancer may not receive any benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding the role of lipid-rich macrophages in the tumor microenvironment of prostate cancer. It examines how these macrophages interact with peri-prostatic fat, which is a fatty tissue surrounding the prostate, and how this interaction may influence tumor growth and progression. By studying the metabolic changes in these macrophages and their impact on tumor cells, the research aims to identify new therapeutic targets for locally-invasive prostate cancer treatment. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to more effective therapies tailored to their specific tumor environments.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative therapies that improve treatment outcomes for prostate cancer patients.

How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of targeting lipid-rich macrophages in prostate cancer is relatively novel, similar studies in other cancers have shown promising results.

Where this research is happening

  • Endeavor Health Clinical Operations
    Evanston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Hayward, Simon W — Endeavor Health Clinical Operations
  • Study coordinator: Hayward, Simon W

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-15 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.