Investigating DNA repair capacity in blood cells as a risk factor for breast cancer

Homologous recombination repair capacity in peripheral blood lymphocytes as a breast cancer risk factor

NIH-funded research University of Virginia · NIH-10909392

This study is looking at how well blood cells can fix DNA damage to see if it can help identify women who might be at a higher risk for breast cancer, so they can get better screening and support.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Virginia NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Charlottesville, United States)
Project IDNIH-10909392 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how the ability of blood cells to repair DNA damage may influence the risk of developing breast cancer. By measuring homologous recombination repair (HRR) capacity in peripheral blood lymphocytes, the study aims to identify women who are at higher risk for breast cancer and may benefit from targeted screening. The approach involves developing a non-invasive assay to assess HRR capacity, which could provide valuable insights into breast cancer susceptibility. Ultimately, this research seeks to improve risk prediction and screening strategies for breast cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are women who may be at risk for breast cancer, particularly those without a known family history of the disease.

Not a fit: Patients who have already been diagnosed with breast cancer or those with established genetic mutations linked to breast cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better identification of women at risk for breast cancer, allowing for more personalized and effective screening strategies.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using DNA repair capacity as a biomarker for cancer risk, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Charlottesville, 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.
Conditions Breast CancerBreast Cancer 1 GeneBreast Cancer 1 Gene ProductBreast Cancer 2 GeneBreast Cancer Early Detection
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.