# Effect of adiposity changes on endometrial tissue and blood biomarkers in women at increased risk for endometrial cancer

> **NIH NIH K01** · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $133,625

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
In the United States (U.S.), endometrial cancer (EC) incidence is increasing among women of all racial
subgroups; however, black women are experiencing the most dramatic increases. It is well known that obesity
increases EC risk more so than any other cancer. As the prevalence of obesity continues to rise, the burden of
EC will also grow, underscoring the need for effective primary prevention strategies. Evidence on the reversibility
of EC risk through weight loss is emerging. To effectively intervene to reduce EC risk, we must identify the
biological mechanisms that underlie associations between weight loss and lower EC risk. The primary goals of
this proposal are to examine how changes in body composition following weight loss impact inflammatory
biomarkers in biopsy-collected endometrial tissue and serum and whether these processes differ between black
and white women. Inflammation is linked with excess adiposity and associated with higher risk of developing EC.
The applicant will conduct a pilot cohort study enrolling 40 black and 40 white women medically cleared and
scheduled to undergo bariatric surgery and 20 black and 20 white women enrolled in a non-surgical weight loss
program (controls). At baseline, we will assess EC risk factors with a questionnaire, measure body composition
using dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), conduct endometrial tissue biopsies and blood draws for biomarker
characterizations, and assess endometrial hyperplasia (EH), an EC precursor lesion, using a pathology review
(Aim 1). Six months after the surgical or non-surgical weight loss intervention, we will measure body composition
and inflammation in tissue and serum to assess changes following weight loss (Aim 2), and we will explore racial
differences in baseline and time-dependent relationships (Aim 3). Findings from this K01 application will increase
our understanding of the effect of excess adiposity on inflammation and cancer initiation within the local
endometrial environment and provide higher resolution data on adiposity through use of DXA as compared with
previous studies that only use body mass index. Further, this study will add novel data on racial differences in
these processes and generate new hypotheses regarding EC prevention. In addition to a novel line of research,
the applicant proposes a well-defined program of training crucial for the applicant to obtain subject-matter
expertise and proficiencies applicable to the proposed research. The applicant will receive training in: the design
and conduct of prospective epidemiological and clinical studies; health disparities research; body composition;
the biology of adiposity and cancer; development of intervention studies; longitudinal data analysis; translational
research; and bioinformatics analysis. This training will be achieved through coursework, attendance at
workshops, seminars, conferences, and most importantly, hands-on mentored research from a highly qualified
team of ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9938471
- **Project number:** 5K01CA218457-03
- **Recipient organization:** OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Ashley S. Felix
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $133,625
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-04-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9938471

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9938471, Effect of adiposity changes on endometrial tissue and blood biomarkers in women at increased risk for endometrial cancer (5K01CA218457-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9938471. Licensed CC0.

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