Investigating how obesity affects breast cancer treatment response through fatty acid metabolism

Evaluating the impact of obesity associated fatty acid metabolic dysregulation on breast cancer sensitivity to ferroptosis

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11056676

This study is looking at how being overweight might affect breast cancer treatment by changing the way the body processes fats, and it aims to find new ways to help improve treatment outcomes for people with breast cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-11056676 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research explores the relationship between obesity and breast cancer, focusing on how obesity-induced changes in fatty acid metabolism may influence the effectiveness of treatments that induce cell death in tumors. By using mouse models, the study aims to understand how excess fatty acids can fuel tumor growth and metastasis, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies. The researchers will analyze tumor and blood samples to measure lipid levels and gene expression related to metabolism, providing insights into how these factors interact in the context of breast cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are breast cancer patients who are also experiencing obesity.

Not a fit: Patients with breast cancer who are not obese or those with other unrelated health conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for breast cancer patients, particularly those who are obese.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of linking obesity, fatty acid metabolism, and ferroptosis in breast cancer is relatively novel, related research has shown promising results in understanding metabolic influences on cancer progression.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, 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 Breast CancerBreast Cancer PatientBreast Cancer Risk FactorCancer CauseCancer Etiology
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.