Obesity-related metabolic changes and disparities in endometrial cancer
Official title: Project 3: Obesity-related Metabolic Reprogramming in Endometrial Cancer Disparities
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11419268 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at why endometrial cancer is worse for Black women and whether obesity-related metabolic changes drive the disease, with aims to find ways to prevent or slow progression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $342,824 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA302426-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419268 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include Black women at risk for or diagnosed with endometrial cancer, particularly those with obesity or type 2 diabetes, and individuals contributing data on metabolic/inflammatory markers.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without obesity, endometrial cancer, or relevant metabolic/inflammatory profiles may derive less direct benefit.
What this research studies
Endometrial cancer is rising and disproportionately affects Black women who have worse outcomes. The grant seeks to understand how obesity and metabolism contribute to these disparities, and how inflammatory and metabolic signals influence endometrial cancer development. Researchers will study molecular drivers, allostatic load, and how social and environmental factors create chronic stress that may impact tumor biology. The work will inform potential prevention strategies and targets for therapy to reduce gaps in outcomes. The project is based at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and led by Melinda S. Yates.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to strategies to prevent EC or tailor treatments for higher-risk groups, potentially improving survival for affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown links between obesity, inflammation, and EC, but disparities by race remain incompletely understood, making this a novel and important area.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yates, Melinda S. — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Yates, Melinda S.
Related research
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This study is looking at how being overweight affects the success of certain cancer treatments for women with endometrial cancer, and it aims to find better ways to help those patients by combining two specific medications.
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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.