Links between breast imaging patterns, tissue signals, and body fat in breast cancer risk
Project 3: Inter-Relationships and Prognostic Significance of Breast Cancer Radiomic Risk Features, Tissue Microenvironment, and Adiposity
This project is looking at how mammogram features, tissue markers, and body fat (especially belly fat) relate to breast cancer risk in Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11184188 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers will compare detailed mammogram image features with tissue markers from biopsies and measures of body fat to see which patterns predict breast cancer risk and outcomes. The work focuses on diverse Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander subgroups (Native Hawaiian, Micronesian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipina) who have been understudied. The team will use existing screening mammograms, imaging-derived radiomic features, measures of visceral and overall adiposity, and available tissue biomarkers to look for linked risk signatures. Findings aim to connect what shows up on routine mammograms with underlying biology and body fat distribution.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are women from Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander subgroups who have had mammograms and/or breast tissue samples available for research and are willing to share their imaging and health data.
Not a fit: People who are not AANHPI, do not have mammography or tissue data, or men with breast cancer are unlikely to directly benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to better, more personalized screening and prevention strategies for women in these specific AANHPI groups.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked body fat and breast density to cancer risk and radiomic methods show promise, but combining radiomic features with tissue biomarkers in AANHPI populations is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Honolulu, United States
- University of Hawaii at Manoa — Honolulu, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shepherd, John Alan — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Shepherd, John Alan
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.