Reducing liver cancer risk in patients with metabolic syndrome
Official title: Prevention of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Related to Metabolic Syndrome
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-10874531 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help people at risk of liver cancer by finding out what factors increase that risk and how to better prevent it, and it involves patients sharing samples and information to improve our understanding.
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,771,855 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA263025-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10874531 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have been diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and cirrhosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without metabolic syndrome or those who do not have cirrhosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding and preventing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a rapidly increasing cause of cancer deaths linked to metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease. By analyzing a large cohort of patients with cirrhosis, the study aims to identify risk factors and develop predictive models for HCC. The research will utilize advanced techniques to assess metabolic traits and biomarkers, ultimately seeking to improve surveillance and prevention strategies for at-risk individuals. Patients may be involved in providing biospecimens and data to help refine these predictive algorithms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly lower the incidence of liver cancer in individuals with metabolic syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using risk stratification models for liver disease, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: El-Serag, Hashem B — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: El-Serag, Hashem B
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Prevention of Hepatocellular Cancer Related to Metabolic Disease
A multi-project effort to reduce deaths from liver cancer by studying people with metabolic-related liver disease and finding ways to predict risk and prevent cancer.
-
Stopping Liver Cancer Linked to Metabolic Syndrome
This work aims to find better ways to prevent liver cancer in people who have fatty liver disease caused by metabolic issues.
-
Glutamine and macrophage behavior in liver cancer
A funded project at a medical university aims to understand how the liver’s immune cells interact with a specific type of liver cancer by looking at metabolism, especially glutamine and ammonia.
-
Adding PSMA PET/CT imaging to liver cancer care for veterans
This project tests a new PET imaging approach to help diagnose and guide treatment for liver cancer in veterans.
-
Blood markers to catch early liver cancer in Hispanic people with hepatitis B
This project will see if a blood test can find liver cancer earlier in Hispanic people who have chronic hepatitis B.
-
Early blood markers to find hepatitis B–related liver cancer in Hispanics
This project will use immune-related blood markers to find liver cancer earlier in people with chronic hepatitis B, focusing on Hispanic adults.
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.