Inherited long telomeres and cancer risk

Cancer Genetics of Long Telomere Syndromes

['FUNDING_R01'] · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · NIH-11300249

This research looks at how inherited long telomeres and related gene changes affect cancer risk in people, including blood cancers like AML.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorJOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11300249 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

I would be part of research that studies genes that make telomeres longer and how that may raise cancer risk. Researchers will compare DNA and blood samples from people who have long-telomere gene variants with those who do not, and they will measure telomere length and sequence telomere-related genes. The team will link genetic findings to medical records and population data to find which gene changes drive the long-telomere syndrome and its cancer risks. The work may include children and adults to learn how risk changes with age.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with a family history of early-onset cancers, known telomere-gene variants (including ATM), or diagnoses like AML would be the best fit to participate.

Not a fit: People whose health problems are unrelated to telomere biology or who lack relevant genetic variants may not gain direct benefit from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could help identify people at higher cancer risk so they can get personalized screening, earlier detection, or targeted prevention.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies, including published work from this group, have linked long telomeres and certain gene variants to higher cancer risk, but applying those findings in clinical care is still emerging.

Where this research is happening

BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.