Role of HK2 in liver scarring, fatty liver disease, and liver cancer
Official title: The role of hexokinase 2 in liver fibrosis and NASH-induced HCC
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11400510 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in adults looks at how the enzyme HK2 helps drive liver scarring in NASH and may influence the development of liver cancer, with potential to point to new treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,768,848 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA285576-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400510 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with or at risk for NASH-related liver fibrosis and potential progression toward hepatocellular carcinoma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without active liver fibrosis or without HK2-driven pathways may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
This project focuses on people with liver disease caused by NASH and investigates how HK2 drives fibrosis and liver cancer. It explores how high HK2 activity increases glycolysis and lactate production in hepatic stellate cells and how lactate influences gene expression through histone lactylation. By studying liver tissue and cell models, the researchers aim to identify whether inhibiting HK2 could reduce fibrosis and cancer risk in the liver. The findings could inform future therapies that target metabolic pathways to protect liver health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new treatments that slow or prevent liver fibrosis and liver cancer in people with NASH.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests metabolic targets like HK2 can influence liver fibrosis and cancer development, with promising but preliminary results.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hay, Nissim — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Hay, Nissim
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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.