Helping breast cancer survivors recover from chemotherapy side effects
Targeting Senescence to Mitigate Chemotherapy-induced Functional Decline
This project looks at how chemotherapy affects the body's aging process in breast cancer survivors and explores ways to help them feel better and regain strength.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11161534 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many breast cancer survivors experience lasting fatigue, nerve problems, and a decline in physical ability after chemotherapy, which can make daily life difficult. Our past work suggests that chemotherapy can cause certain cells in the body to age faster, called cellular senescence, and these "senescent cells" may contribute to these long-term side effects. This project aims to understand how these senescent cells lead to functional decline and explore strategies, like exercise or special medications called senolytics, to reduce them. By targeting these aging cells, we hope to improve the quality of life for survivors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be breast cancer survivors who have experienced functional decline after chemotherapy.
Not a fit: Patients who have not undergone chemotherapy or are not breast cancer survivors may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or reduce long-term side effects like fatigue and weakness for breast cancer survivors after chemotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: While preclinical studies have shown senolytics can reduce senescent cells in non-cancer populations, this specific approach to mitigate chemotherapy-induced decline in breast cancer survivors is a novel application.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sedrak, Mina S — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Sedrak, Mina S
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.