Investigating how amphiregulin affects bladder issues in cancer survivors after radiation therapy
Official title: The role of amphiregulin in mediating radiation cystitis in cancer survivors
Funded at William Beaumont Hospital Research Inst · NIH-11103384 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called amphiregulin affects bladder problems in cancer survivors who have had radiation therapy, with the hope of finding better ways to diagnose and treat this painful condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | William Beaumont Hospital Research Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Royal Oak, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $460,815 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK135986-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11103384 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer survivors who have experienced bladder issues following radiation therapy for pelvic cancers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not undergone radiation therapy or do not have symptoms of radiation cystitis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding radiation cystitis, a painful bladder condition that can develop in cancer survivors who have undergone radiation therapy for pelvic cancers. The study aims to explore the role of a protein called amphiregulin in the development and progression of this condition. By using a preclinical model that mimics human radiation cystitis, researchers will investigate how amphiregulin levels change over time and how they relate to bladder damage. The ultimate goal is to identify new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to improve the quality of life for affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that alleviate the debilitating symptoms of radiation cystitis in cancer survivors.
How similar studies have gone: While research on radiation cystitis is ongoing, the specific investigation of amphiregulin's role in this context is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
William Beaumont Hospital Research Inst
Royal Oak, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zwaans, Bernadette Margaretha Maria — William Beaumont Hospital Research Inst
- Study coordinator: Zwaans, Bernadette Margaretha Maria
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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.