The University of Hawaii at Manoa (UH) received a $621,174 Cooperative Agreement award from the National Cancer Institute (CFDA 93.393 - Cancer Cause and Prevention Research) to investigate the potential role of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in the development of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) and chronic liver disease. The study will involve a nested case-control investigation across four well-characterized U.S. cohorts, analyzing prediagnostic biospecimens (blood, urine, oral samples, tumor tissue) to characterize the oral bacterial microbiome and measure cyanotoxin levels. Additionally, gene expression signatures of cyanotoxin exposure in liver cancer tumors will be evaluated. The 5-year project, which began on May 1, 2024, aims to provide critical insights into previously unrecognized environmental risk factors for liver cancer and inform future public health policies related to cyanotoxin surveillance and mitigation strategies.
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