Nanoparticle therapy to reduce alcohol-related liver scarring and cancer risk
Multifunctional Nanoparticle Platform to Prevent Alcohol-Associated HCC Development
This project is developing tiny particles that deliver anti-fibrotic medicine to livers damaged by heavy drinking to help reduce scarring and lower the chance of liver cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Engineering Experiment Station NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11456681 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are creating lipid-PLGA nanoparticles that target immune cells in the liver (Kupffer cells) and release anti-fibrotic drugs plus collagenase to help the medicine penetrate scarred tissue. The particles are designed to activate a receptor called Gpbar1 in those liver immune cells to calm inflammatory signals linked to cancer development. The combined approach aims to reduce fibrosis and the molecular signals that can lead to hepatocellular carcinoma. Current work is preclinical, using laboratory and animal models to test delivery, safety, and effects on fibrosis-related markers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults living with alcohol-associated liver fibrosis or cirrhosis who are at increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Not a fit: People without alcohol-related liver disease or those with end-stage decompensated liver failure unlikely to respond to anti-fibrotic therapy may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could shrink alcohol-related liver scarring and lower risk of hepatocellular carcinoma for people with alcohol-associated liver disease.
How similar studies have performed: Targeted nanoparticles and anti-fibrotic strategies have shown promise in lab and animal studies, but combining Gpbar1 activation with collagenase-enhanced delivery is a novel approach not yet tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
College Station, United States
- Texas Engineering Experiment Station — College Station, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Menon, Jyothi Unnikrishna — Texas Engineering Experiment Station
- Study coordinator: Menon, Jyothi Unnikrishna
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.