Preventing Liver Cancer in People with Fatty Liver Disease
Official title: Comparative cost-effectiveness of HCC prevention in metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11146345 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at the best and most affordable ways to prevent liver cancer in people who have fatty liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $276,775 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA263025-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11146345 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This work is relevant for adults aged 21 and older who have metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).
✕Less likely to help
Patients who already have advanced liver cancer or do not have MAFLD may not directly benefit from this prevention-focused work.
What this research studies
Liver cancer is a growing concern, especially for Americans, and often found too late for effective treatment. Fatty liver disease, or MAFLD, is becoming the main reason people get this type of cancer. We want to find the most effective and affordable ways to prevent liver cancer in people with MAFLD. This includes looking at different screening methods and medications like metformin and statins to see which options offer the best long-term benefits and value.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors and patients choose the most effective and affordable strategies to prevent liver cancer, potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have gone: While current guidelines for liver cancer screening are based on older data, this work aims to provide new evidence specifically for individuals with MAFLD, where current prevention strategies are less clear.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chhatwal, Jagpreet — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Chhatwal, Jagpreet
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Role of fat droplets in liver fat and inflammatory signals in NAFLD
A study at Johns Hopkins will explore how fat droplets in the liver influence molecules that drive inflammation and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults.
-
Them1 Inhibitors to Help Treat Fatty Liver Disease
Aims to develop and test small molecule drugs that block Them1 to help people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
-
How the TET1 gene affects non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Researchers are looking at whether changes in the TET1 gene and DNA 'tagging' (methylation) play a role in adult non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
-
Hepatocellular Genetic Clues for Fatty Liver in Hispanic Adults
A large NIH grant helps researchers study why fatty liver develops in Hispanic adults and how genetics interact with lifestyle to affect risk.
-
Toxic fats, vitamin B12 loss, and AHR may drive fatty liver disease
This grant looks at how certain environmental chemicals may trigger liver damage linked to fatty liver disease and how a vitamin found in the blood could be affected.
-
Glutamine and T cells in fatty liver disease
A study explores how liver glutamine levels affect inflammatory CD4+ T cells in fatty liver disease to find potential new ways to reduce liver inflammation.
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.