Investigating how doxorubicin affects heart genes and finding ways to protect the heart.

Differentially methylated gene regions (DMRs) induced by doxorubicin in heart: significance and clinical application

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10463850

This study is looking at how the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin, which is often used to treat kids with cancer, might cause heart problems later on, and it aims to find ways to protect the heart and improve care for those who have had this treatment.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-10463850 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin, commonly used in pediatric cancer treatment, can lead to long-term heart problems in survivors. By using a unique rat model, the study examines changes in DNA methylation patterns in the heart that occur after doxorubicin treatment. The researchers aim to identify specific genetic markers that indicate heart damage and explore potential cardioprotective therapies that could mitigate these effects. This work could lead to better monitoring and treatment strategies for patients who have received doxorubicin.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include adult survivors of pediatric cancer who were treated with doxorubicin and are experiencing heart-related issues.

Not a fit: Patients who have not received doxorubicin or those without a history of pediatric cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of effective treatments to prevent heart damage in cancer survivors who were treated with doxorubicin.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, but this specific approach using DNA methylation as a biomarker is relatively novel.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-14 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.