# LIPID DIET EFFECTS ON COLON TUMOR GROWTH AND METASTASES

> **NIH NIH R01** · BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS · 1987 · $186,620

## Abstract

Long term objectives of this laboratory are to identify nutritional factors
which contribute to the high incidence of colon cancer in Western
cultures.  Experimentally it has been suggested that dietary fat may serve
in a promotional capacity in some manner following colon tumor initiation
in two stage carcinogenesis.  Although the relationship of dietary lipids
to pre-initiation and promotional events in tumorigenesis are well studied,
there is little information regarding the nutritional consequences on tumor
behavior following tumor promotion, i.e., upon tumor growth, its spread,
and its propensity to metastasize.

It is hypothesized that the quality and quantity of dietary fat and
cholesterol may influence tumor latency time, growth, pulmonary
colonization, propensity to metastasize, lipid composition (profile) and
demise of its host.  To test this, the following will be accomplished:
ascertain the relationship of diets containing varying levels of
polyunsaturated fat (safflower oil) and saturated fat (hydrogenated coconut
oil) with and without cholesterol to the growth and development of a highly
metastatic CT-26 and minimally metastatic CT-51 transplantable colon
carcinomas in the BALB/c mouse.  The relationship of dietary interventions
will be compared with the tumor implanted in the flank or surgically
implanted into the colon.  Differences in metastatic behavior between
tumors at each site will be explored.  Attention will be directed towards
dietary influences on tumor behavior and the lipid profile of both tumors
at each site.  In addition the relationship of each tumor to the lipid
profile of the host bowel, liver, and serum cholesterol levels will be
assessed.  It is very likely that nutritional interventions may influence
the growth and metastatic spread of colon tumors.  It is anticipated that
these studies should provide 1) answers regarding differences or
similarities between the effects of lipid nutriture on colon tumor
induction and promotion and tumor behavior post-promotion; 2) a better
understanding between lipid nutrition and colon cancer; 3) insights into
the relationship between dietary cholesterol, hypocholesterolemia and colon
cancer; and 4) guidelines for exploring possibilities of nutritional
interventions aimed at the management of patients with colon cancer
following resection or in conjunction with radiation or chemotherapy.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3176234
- **Project number:** 5R01CA038177-02
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FBYMGMHW4X95
- **Principal Investigator:** SELWYN A BROITMAN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $186,620
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-04-01 → 1989-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3176234

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3176234, LIPID DIET EFFECTS ON COLON TUMOR GROWTH AND METASTASES (5R01CA038177-02). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3176234. Licensed CC0.

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