Investigating the link between liver fat and cancer outcomes in colorectal cancer survivors
Official title: Association between pre-diagnosis hepatic fat infiltration and risk of liver metastasis and mortality in a large cohort of stage I-III colorectal cancer survivors
Funded at Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-10909072 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the amount of fat in the liver before a colorectal cancer diagnosis might influence the chances of liver problems and survival after treatment, especially for patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, to help improve care for colorectal cancer survivors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $641,777 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA255184-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10909072 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are stage I-III colorectal cancer survivors who had a CT scan within four months of their diagnosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced colorectal cancer or those who did not undergo surgical resection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines how the amount of fat in the liver before a colorectal cancer diagnosis may affect the risk of liver metastasis and mortality in patients who have undergone treatment for stage I-III colorectal cancer. By analyzing CT scans taken at diagnosis, the study aims to quantify hepatic fat and assess its potential as a prognostic biomarker. The goal is to provide insights that could lead to improved monitoring and treatment strategies for colorectal cancer survivors. Patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are of particular interest, as this condition is common and treatable.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new, cost-effective method for predicting outcomes in colorectal cancer survivors, potentially improving their long-term care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated a correlation between liver fat and cancer outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Giovannucci, Edward — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Giovannucci, Edward
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Liver fat and the risk of colorectal cancer spreading to the liver
This project looks at whether liver fat present when people are diagnosed with stage I–III colorectal cancer is linked to a higher chance the cancer will later spread to the liver.
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Finding the tumor cells that start colorectal cancer spread
Researchers will look for the specific tumor cell populations that seed liver metastases in people with colorectal cancer who have surgery.
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Fatty acid engine driving cancer spread via exosomes in colorectal cancer
This NIH grant explores how fatty acid synthesis in colorectal cancer drives the release of exosomes that may help cancer spread, with the goal of developing better treatments for people with metastatic disease.
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Blocking alcohol-linked spread of colorectal cancer to the liver
This project tries new nanoparticle medicines to stop colorectal cancer from spreading to the liver in people with heavy alcohol use or alcohol-related liver damage.
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.