Investigating the link between gut bacteria and liver cancer risk in people with cirrhosis.
Official title: Epidemiology of the gut-liver axis and hepatocellular carcinoma risk in a multiethnic liver cirrhosis cohort: defining the role of bacteria, metabolites, and glycoproteins
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11172694 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut might affect the risk of liver cancer in people with liver cirrhosis, especially in the Latinx community, and it hopes to find helpful markers that could lead to better ways to screen and prevent cancer for those at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $300,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R56CA284683-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11172694 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults with liver cirrhosis, particularly those from the Latinx community.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without liver cirrhosis or those who do not belong to the targeted demographic may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how the gut-liver axis influences the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with liver cirrhosis, particularly among the Latinx population. By analyzing gut bacteria, metabolites, and glycoproteins, the study aims to identify specific biological markers that could indicate a higher risk of HCC. Participants will be part of a multicenter cohort study, contributing samples and data that will help uncover the relationship between diet, microbiome composition, and liver cancer risk. The findings could lead to improved screening and prevention strategies for at-risk individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better risk assessment and prevention strategies for liver cancer in patients with cirrhosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the gut-liver axis and its implications for liver disease, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
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University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hussain, Shehnaz Khursheed — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Hussain, Shehnaz Khursheed
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Why some patients with cirrhosis miss recommended liver cancer screening
This project looks at why African American, Hispanic, and non-English-speaking patients with cirrhosis are less likely to get recommended liver cancer screening and how the COVID-19 pandemic changed that.
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Understanding why some patients with cirrhosis receive less screening for liver cancer than others
This study looks at why some people with liver cirrhosis, especially from minority and underserved groups, aren't getting screened for liver cancer as often as they should, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and aims to find ways to make it easier for everyone to get the care they need.
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Improving early detection of liver cancer in patients with cirrhosis
This study is working on finding better ways to catch liver cancer early in people with cirrhosis by creating personalized screening plans that take into account each person's unique risk factors, which could help doctors diagnose the cancer sooner and improve treatment outcomes.
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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.
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Liver Cirrhosis Network: Centers for Clinical Research
A multicenter study in people with cirrhosis from different causes (including HIV, NASH, and alcohol-related liver disease) to collect data and samples and test new ways to predict and monitor disease progression.
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Liver Cirrhosis Network: Mayo Clinic's Clinical Research Center
A Mayo Clinic-led project will follow and help people with compensated cirrhosis, using data, imaging, and a big AI tool to predict when complications may happen and test whether a statin can improve outcomes.
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.