Obesity and DNA structure changes in prostate cancer progression
Official title: The impact of obesity on mutagenesis at H-DNA sequences and prostate cancer progression
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11389989 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how obesity may drive genetic changes in prostate cancer by affecting special DNA structures and DNA damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | July 16, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $626,203 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA314250-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389989 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include men with obesity or obesity-associated prostate cancer or individuals contributing biological samples for related studies.
✕Less likely to help
People without obesity-related cancer or those not contributing biospecimens may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
If you or a loved one has prostate cancer or obesity, this project explores why obese conditions might make cancer more aggressive by altering how DNA folds and repairs itself. The research uses models that show how non-B DNA structures like H-DNA can lead to DNA breaks and mutations, and how obesity changes key repair proteins in prostate tissue. The team aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new ways to prevent or treat obesity-related prostate cancer progression. Findings could guide future therapies that target DNA structure dynamics and repair pathways.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these mechanisms could lead to new prevention or treatment strategies for obesity-related prostate cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown obesity affects cancer progression and DNA damage, but linking non-B DNA structures to obesity-driven mutagenesis is an area of active, emerging research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vasquez, Karen M — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Vasquez, Karen M
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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.