How breast cancer treatment affects biological aging and heart health
Epigenetics, accelerated aging, and cardiovascular health during breast cancer treatment
This project looks at whether breast cancer treatment speeds up biological aging and how that relates to heart strength and fitness in women getting treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11304605 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will measure your biological “age” using DNA methylation tests to see signs of accelerated aging. They will track your daily activity with a wearable accelerometer and measure your heart function and exercise capacity during and after treatment. The team will compare these measures to find links between faster biological aging and declines in fitness or heart performance. That information could point to practical steps, like increasing physical activity, to protect heart health during treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women currently receiving or recently treated for breast cancer who are willing to wear an activity monitor and provide blood samples for biological aging tests are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without breast cancer or those not undergoing cancer treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal ways to preserve heart function and fitness during breast cancer treatment, such as targeted lifestyle recommendations.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies in healthy populations show physical activity can reduce epigenetic aging, but applying this approach to heart and fitness changes during breast cancer treatment is new.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vasbinder, Alexi L — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Vasbinder, Alexi L
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.