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Determining the contribution of microbial-derived metabolites to protective immunity in obesity-driven cancer risk.

Award Number: U01CA272541
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2027

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Determining the contribution of microbial-derived metabolites to protective immunity in obesity-driven cancer risk. - SUMMARY: Obesity is associated with increased risk for 13 cancers. Critical questions are how and to what extent underlying mechanisms of obesity-mediated increases in chronic inflammation may increase cancer risk in a failure of “protective immunity”. This knowledge gap represents an untapped opportunity that our multidis- ciplinary team is uniquely qualified to explore with a mission to improve understanding of cancer risk. We have previously shown obesity alters T cell and macrophage functions that could decrease anti-tumor protections and have expertise in human studies essential for this interdisciplinary challenge. Our objective is to identify associations in human subjects and test mechanisms of mediators of cancer risk in various pre-clinical models along an “obesitymicrobes metabolites protective immunity” axis. Our hypothesis is that obesity-altered gut microbes enhance cancer risk through dysregulated protective immunity that allows increased initiation. Aim 1 will define obesity-mediated dysregulation of microbial-derived metabolites and impacts on immune phe- notypes and protective immunity in human subjects at greater risk for cancer by examining diverse subjects 1a) of varied age and adiposity; and 1b) obese patients pre- and post- bariatric surgery. Donors will be drawn from the Memphis area, which offers a highly diverse population with 65% African Americans with a high inci- dence of obesity. Patient analyses will inform studies in complementary pre-clinical models to allow for mecha- nistic investigation to identify conserved mechanisms in the pre-cancer microenvironment. Aim 2 will deter- mine the impact of microbially-derived metabolites on cancer risk by examining immune cells in spontaneous transgenic models of breast cancer with established heterogeneity in latency, obesogenic response to high fat diet, circulating bile acids, and gut microbes. Aim 3 will test dietary administration of a specific microbially-de- rived metabolite or microbe on protective immunity in complementary carcinogenic and syngeneic models of obesity-mediated breast cancer, respectively. Human subject and murine model studies complemented by ex vivo and in vitro studies will test underlying mechanisms to determine how microbially-modified metabolites may impact immune-cancer cell crosstalk. Collaborative funds for cross-consortium activities are reserved for risk assessment across heterogenous lean and obese populations and models across aims to add synergistic impact to our findings through NCI’s Metabolic Dysregulation and Cancer Risk Program. In sum, outcomes will define beneficial microbially-derived metabolites that impact protective immunity to reduce cancer initiation. Thus, the strategy of this proposal is conceptually original, innovative, and significant to define conserved un- derlying mechanisms that suppress cancer risk. Findings generated will have high impact because the obesity- associated etiological impacts on risk will be heterogeneous and this study is designed to investigate those varied mechanisms to translate to better risk management to improve patient outcomes.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $1,052,689 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE	62 S DUNLAP ST	MEMPHIS	TN	38103	SHELBY	USA	Cancer Biology Research	002	5	8/25/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,052,689
2026	2025	UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE	62 S DUNLAP ST	MEMPHIS	TN	38103	SHELBY	USA	Cancer Biology Research	001	4	7/1/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2026	2025	UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE	62 S DUNLAP ST	MEMPHIS	TN	38103	SHELBY	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	4	5/14/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $1,052,689

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $1,046,868 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE	62 S DUNLAP ST	MEMPHIS	TN	38103	SHELBY	USA	Cancer Biology Research	002	4	9/2/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,046,868
2025	2024	UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE	62 S DUNLAP ST	MEMPHIS	TN	38103	SHELBY	USA	Cancer Biology Research	001	3	8/28/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2025	2024	UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE	62 S DUNLAP ST	MEMPHIS	TN	38103	SHELBY	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	3	4/7/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $1,046,868

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $1,003,836 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE	62 S DUNLAP ST	MEMPHIS	TN	38103	SHELBY	USA	Cancer Biology Research	002	3	9/2/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$1,003,836
2024	2023	UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE	62 S DUNLAP ST	MEMPHIS	TN	38103	SHELBY	USA	Cancer Biology Research	001	2	8/15/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2024	2023	UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE	62 S DUNLAP ST	MEMPHIS	TN	38103	SHELBY	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	2	2/29/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $1,003,836

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $978,693 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE	62 S DUNLAP ST	MEMPHIS	TN	38103	SHELBY	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	2	9/5/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$978,693
														Subtotal = $978,693

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $1,050,313 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE	62 S DUNLAP STREET STE 103	MEMPHIS	TN	38103	SHELBY	USA	Cancer Biology Research	001	1	8/25/2022	NEW	$0
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE	62 S DUNLAP STREET STE 103	MEMPHIS	TN	38103	SHELBY	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	1	8/24/2022	NEW	$1,050,313
														Subtotal = $1,050,313

Grand Total All Awards = $5,132,399

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Determining the contribution of microbial-derived metabolites to protective immunity in obesity-driven cancer risk.

Award Number: U01CA272541

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2027

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