Epigenetic clues to how World Trade Center exposures affect breast cancer risk
Official title: Epigenetic pathways mediating exposure effects on breast cancer risk in WTC survivors
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11578752 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how environmental exposures from the World Trade Center disaster may influence breast cancer risk through changes in DNA methylation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $246,434 |
| NIH project number | 1R21OH013161-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11578752 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women with prior World Trade Center exposure who are part of the WTC EHC or similar cohorts and have information/samples suitable for epigenetic analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Women without WTC exposure or without available biological samples may not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
If you are a woman who was exposed to the 9/11 World Trade Center disaster, this study will examine biological changes that might connect those exposures to breast cancer. Researchers will analyze DNA methylation patterns and genetic factors using data from the WTC Environmental Health Center to understand potential mediators of risk. The work aims to move beyond descriptions of exposure and toward identifying mechanisms that could inform prevention and early detection in survivors. Participation would involve analyzing existing data and samples from the WTC cohort to explore these links.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could help tailor breast cancer risk assessment and prevention strategies for WTC-exposed women.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown exposure-related DNA methylation changes, but this project seeks to determine if DNAm acts as a mediator for breast cancer risk.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Ziyue — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Wang, Ziyue
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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.