# Hepatic steatosis promotes liver metastasis

> **NIH NIH R01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $492,873

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Treatment of early stage breast cancer has substantially improved but preventing metastasis remains a more
elusive target. Obesity, which is endemic in our society, is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer
and accelerated metastasis. The means by which obesity compromises survival of breast cancer patients is,
however, poorly understood. Liver is among the most common sites of breast cancer metastasis and its
occurrence is generally associated with poor prognosis. Liver health is closely related to weight as obesity is the
major cause of fatty liver disease, estimated to be present in 1/4 to 1/3 of Americans.
We discovered that fatty liver disease markedly increases liver metastasis, in mice, by providing fuel to tumor
cells thereby accelerating their growth. Examination of human liver biopsies and MRI analysis suggests the same
is true in women with metastatic breast cancer. Thus, our first goal is to determine if treating fatty liver disease
reduces breast cancer liver metastasis and improves its response to chemotherapy. To identify potential new
treatments for liver metastasis we will explore the mechanisms by which fatty liver disease stimulates tumor
growth. Finally, we will ask if human breast cancers exhibit the same liver metastatic properties as those arising
in mice. If our conclusion proves true, treatment of breast cancer will universally require prevention and treatment
of fatty liver disease and therefore impact all affected women. Prevention and treatment of fatty liver disease in
breast cancer patients, however, may likely reduce liver metastasis and therefore prolong survival. Because fatty
liver disease is most often the product of obesity, educating patients about calorie intake, which can be instituted
immediately, may have significant effects on breast cancer prognosis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10752670
- **Project number:** 5R01CA258325-03
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Steven L Teitelbaum
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $492,873
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-01-01 → 2026-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10752670

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10752670, Hepatic steatosis promotes liver metastasis (5R01CA258325-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10752670. Licensed CC0.

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