Understanding and Preventing Cancer from Tobacco and Environmental Exposures
Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention
This program develops tests to find people at higher cancer risk from tobacco and other chemicals and explores foods and compounds that might lower that risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P30 center grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11317244 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are identifying the chemicals and molecular steps that lead to cancer—especially those linked to tobacco—and creating blood and tissue biomarkers to spot people at higher risk. They combine lab experiments, analysis of biological samples, and clinical or epidemiological studies to link exposures to disease. The team also tests natural and synthetic compounds, including foods, that could help reduce cancer risk and works with other groups to translate findings into prevention strategies. Their work aims to inform public health policies that reduce harmful exposures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would include people with tobacco or other carcinogen exposure, those with a personal or family history of cancer, or individuals willing to donate blood or tissue samples for biomarker research.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatments for advanced or metastatic cancer are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this prevention-focused program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could provide tests to identify people at higher cancer risk and offer ways—such as dietary or chemopreventive approaches—to lower that risk.
How similar studies have performed: Previous biomarker and chemoprevention research has shown some promising signals for risk markers and dietary agents, but many approaches remain experimental and need further validation.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peterson, Lisa a — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Peterson, Lisa a
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 below.