Understanding how a mother's weight during pregnancy affects her child's breast cancer risk through gut bacteria
Effect of maternal obesity on breast cancer among offspring: role of the gut microbiota
This project explores how a mother's weight during pregnancy might change her child's gut bacteria, potentially influencing their future risk of breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136497 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We know that mothers who are overweight during pregnancy can have children with a higher chance of developing breast cancer later in life. This connection might be due to changes in the child's gut bacteria, which are important for overall health. Our work aims to discover if these gut bacteria changes directly cause an increased risk of breast cancer. We will also look at specific cell receptors that might play a role in this process.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to women who were obese during pregnancy and their offspring, though it does not directly involve patient participation at this stage.
Not a fit: Patients not interested in the long-term, foundational understanding of disease mechanisms may not find direct benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to reduce breast cancer risk in children whose mothers were obese during pregnancy, possibly through diet or gut bacteria adjustments.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific causal link between maternal obesity, offspring gut microbiota, and breast cancer risk is being directly tested here, previous research has shown connections between gut bacteria and various health outcomes, including cancer.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hilakivi-Clarke, Leena a. — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Hilakivi-Clarke, Leena 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.