Blood test measuring DNA repair in immune cells to help predict breast cancer risk
Homologous recombination repair capacity in peripheral blood lymphocytes as a breast cancer risk factor
This project tests whether a simple blood test of DNA repair in white blood cells can help predict breast cancer risk in women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11173579 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would give a small blood sample so researchers can measure homologous recombination repair (HRR) activity in your white blood cells using a new lab assay. The team will compare HRR results with participants' medical histories, known genetic risks like BRCA1/2, and later breast cancer outcomes. The goal is to see whether people with lower HRR activity have higher breast cancer risk. If links are found, the test could be used to group women by risk and guide who might benefit most from screening.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adult women without a prior breast cancer diagnosis who can provide a blood sample, including those with or without known BRCA-related genetic risk, are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People already diagnosed and treated for breast cancer or anyone unable to provide a blood sample are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify women at higher breast cancer risk so screening and prevention can be better targeted and overdiagnosis reduced.
How similar studies have performed: Genetic links between HRR genes (like BRCA1/2) and breast cancer are well known, but using a blood-based HRR assay for broad population risk prediction is a newer and largely untested approach.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Hua — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Hua
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.