Ohio State cancer researchers are studying the possible effects of fat tissue on pancreatic cancer development. The Pelotonia-funded study involves a multidisciplinary team at The James, including researchers, surgeons and nutrition experts. While a strong association exists between obesity and pancreatic cancer, researchers still aren’t sure why that’s the case. To increase understanding, an Ohio State team is analyzing fat in pancreatic cancer patients that require surgery. “We hope to identify molecular mechanisms within the fat that are signaling the pancreatic tumor microenvironment,” Zobeida Cruz-Monserrate, PhD, says. “We are trying to identify those obese individuals that actually are at risk of developing pancreatic cancer — and not only that but to block signals in the future to be able to prevent obesity-associated pancreatic cancer.”