How breast cancer treatment affects heart health and aging
Official title: Epigenetics, accelerated aging, and cardiovascular health during breast cancer treatment
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11109042 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how breast cancer treatments might affect heart health and aging in women, and it aims to find out if staying active can help improve heart function and overall well-being during 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 start | March 17, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $279,411 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA300956-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11109042 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women currently receiving treatment for breast cancer who may be experiencing declines in exercise capacity or heart function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing breast cancer treatment or those with pre-existing severe cardiovascular conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of breast cancer treatment on cardiovascular health and accelerated aging in women. It focuses on understanding how treatments can lead to declines in exercise capacity and heart function, potentially due to epigenetic changes associated with aging. By examining these relationships, the study aims to identify mechanisms that contribute to cardiovascular complications and explore lifestyle modifications, such as increased physical activity, that may help mitigate these effects. The use of accelerometers to track physical activity will provide valuable insights into how exercise can influence aging and heart health during treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted interventions that improve heart health and quality of life for women undergoing breast cancer treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that physical activity can counteract the effects of accelerated aging, suggesting that this approach may be effective in breast cancer patients as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vasbinder, Alexi L — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Vasbinder, Alexi L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How breast cancer treatment affects biological aging and heart health
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-
Long-Term Aging and Functional Changes After Breast Cancer and Its Treatments
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Cognitive aging in long-term breast cancer survivors
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Aging, DNA Methylation, and Cardio Risk in Breast Cancer Survivors
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Identifying organ blood biomarkers of aging and their effects on heart health
A research project aims to find blood-based signs of aging in different organs and understand how they influence heart health.
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How breast cancer and its treatment affect long-term aging and physical function
This project looks at whether breast cancer and its treatments lead to faster biological aging and physical decline in older women who survived breast cancer.
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.