Discover how common drugs might influence cancer and Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Integrating genetics and health data to discover common drug effects on cancer and Alzheimer's disease
Funded at University of Massachusetts Lowell · NIH-11359647 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying whether drugs people normally take could affect their risk of cancer or Alzheimer's disease, using health records and genetic data.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Lowell NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lowell, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $364,942 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM151001-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11359647 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals aged middle age and older who are taking common prescription or over-the-counter drugs and have health records available.
✕Less likely to help
People not represented in health records or without follow-up data may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses large health records to look for links between everyday medications and later risks of cancer or Alzheimer's disease. It also analyzes genetic information to understand shared disease processes that could explain any drug effects. The team will develop and apply new methods to identify potential drug effects from real-world data and genetics, with rigorous checks built in. The goal is to uncover drug-related clues that could guide prevention and future drug repurposing efforts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could reveal drug choices that reduce risk or uncover new directions for preventing cancer or Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous health-record analyses have shown the value of big-data approaches, and adding genetics may strengthen discoveries, though results are often complex.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Melamed, Rachel Dania — University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Study coordinator: Melamed, Rachel Dania
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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.