Shared Resources and Core Facilities
Nutrition
The Nutrition Shared Resource (NSR) provides centralized infrastructure for nutrition and metabolic science across the University of Kansas Cancer Center. One of only three CCSG-supported Nutrition Shared Resources nationally, the NSR supports investigators conducting preclinical, translational, clinical and population-based cancer research. Through expertise in nutrition phenotyping, body composition assessment, intervention delivery, biomarker and microbiome analysis and nutrition-focused study design, the NSR helps investigators incorporate rigorous nutrition science across the cancer research continuum.
Support services
- Study design and idea development
- Preclinical nutrition and diet formulation
- Nutrition phenotyping
- Dietary intake assessment
- Metabolic assessment and resting energy expenditure
- Body composition and imaging analyses
- Nutrition biomarkers
- Microbiome analysis
- Controlled feeding studies
- Dietician-led interventions
- Clinical trial implementation and support
- Nutrition data analysis and interpretation
Partnering with the NSR
The NSR partners with investigators across the cancer research continuum, from preclinical discovery to clinical trials, survivorship and population research. Faculty and staff collaborate with research teams to strengthen study design, develop nutrition and metabolic endpoints, implement interventions and generate high-quality data that improve the rigor and impact of cancer research.
Investigators can access NSR expertise through the KU Clinical Research Center, The University of Kansas Hospital, and partner sites across the cancer center's catchment area through the Masonic Cancer Alliance. Consultation and collaborative support are also available to investigators at other NCI-designated cancer centers.
Nutrition influences cancer prevention, treatment tolerance, survivorship and long-term health. Our goal is to help investigators integrate rigorous nutrition and metabolic science into cancer research across the translational continuum. –Jill Hamilton-Reeves, PhD, RD, CSO
Nutrition Shared Resource co-director
The NSR also serves as a regional and national resource for oncology nutrition by providing education and mentorship for investigators, trainees, dietitians and healthcare professionals and supporting dissemination of evidence-based nutrition science.
[00:00:00] Hi, I'm Jill Hamilton-Reeves, Professor in Urology and co-director of the Nutrition Shared Resource.
“How does your shared resource support researchers?”
Our resource will provide nutrition related services or instruments that design help for any researcher that wants to include those parameters in their study.
“Can you give an example of when your shared resource contributed to a study with major scientific impact? How did you contribute?”
Well, the Nutrition Shared Resource contributed analyses of fatty acids in a study of patients with breast cancer where they used fish oil supplementation. We also helped with calorie restriction and weight loss interventions in patients with cancer that are obesity related cancers, and we helped design an intervention and did nutrition assessments in patients with head and neck cancer. We've also helped with preclinical studies and co designed a study in [00:01:00] rodents where they were looking at cachexia models, which is muscle wasting that we see in patients with cancer.
“Why should researchers consider partnering with your shared resource on their next project?”
Well, nutrition is a biologically relevant variable in most studies, and metabolism is incredibly important for cancer and how cancer progresses in the health of the host. We are very collaborative and we are definitely here to help.
Request our services
Complete the Nutrition Shared Resource registration survey for tracking and metric purposes.
Contact us
Research highlights
Rural weight management: Expanding access to effective weight management in rural communities
Access to effective weight management services can be challenging for people living in rural communities. Researchers supported by the NSR conducted a clinical trial evaluating new approaches to delivering weight management programs through rural health clinics. Participants receiving phone-based counseling achieved clinically meaningful weight loss, while those receiving usual care did not. Group-based counseling produced similar results at a lower cost, demonstrating a practical and scalable model for rural healthcare settings. The NSR contributed expertise in nutrition intervention design, dietary counseling protocols, staff training, and interpretation of study findings. This work demonstrates how evidence-based nutrition programs can expand access to care and improve health outcomes in underserved rural populations. Published in Obesity Science & Practice; Funding Source: PMC11042259.
Cancer cachexia and muscle loss: Identifying a new target for cancer-related muscle-wasting
Cancer cachexia and sarcopenia are serious conditions that can reduce strength, quality of life and treatment tolerance for people with cancer. Researchers supported by the NSR investigated the biological mechanisms that contribute to cancer-related muscle loss. Using a preclinical model, investigators identified a signaling pathway known as CCL2-CCR2 as a potential driver of cancer-associated muscle-wasting. These findings provide new insight into the biology of cachexia and may help guide future therapies aimed at preserving muscle and improving outcomes. The NSR contributed expertise in body composition assessment, functional outcomes and translational nutrition science, helping connect laboratory discoveries to clinically meaningful research questions. Funding Sources: PMC11413935; R03CA227359
Prostate cancer weight management: Improving metabolic health and quality of life in men with prostate cancer
Researchers supported by the NSR conducted a randomized clinical trial evaluating structured weight management before and after prostate cancer surgery. Participants achieved substantial weight loss, improved body composition, favorable metabolic changes and better quality of life. The NSR contributed expertise in nutrition intervention design, dietary counseling, body composition assessment, nutrition literacy and biomarker interpretation. These findings demonstrate that weight management is both feasible and safe during prostate cancer treatment and may improve long-term health and recovery for men undergoing surgery. Published in Journal of Urology. Funding Source: PMC11887940.
National research collaborations: Advancing nutrition science through national partnerships
NSR faculty collaborate with investigators across the country to advance nutrition and cancer research. Current collaborations include projects with Moffitt Cancer Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and other leading institutions. These partnerships support research in cancer prevention, survivorship, quality of life, obesity and metabolism, nutrition interventions and innovative clinical trials. Through these collaborations, the NSR extends the impact of nutrition science well beyond Kansas while helping bring new discoveries to patients and communities.
Cite the Cancer Center Support Grant
This resource is funded by The University of Kansas Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) awarded by the National Cancer Institute (P30 CA168524). Publications that have utilized facility resources, services or scientific data generated by the resource should acknowledge the resource and cite the NCI CCSG grant.
Interested in becoming a cancer center member?
To apply, click here. Applications are accepted throughout the year. Contact Lisa Harlan-Williams at lharlan-williams@kumc.edu for more information regarding membership.