Understanding Heart Risks for Childhood Cancer Survivors
Official title: Personalized Risk Prediction to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease in Childhood Cancer Survivors
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11075286 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work aims to create better tools to understand and prevent heart problems in people who had cancer as children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $780,452 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA261750-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075286 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is most relevant to individuals who survived childhood cancer, especially those treated with heart radiation or anthracycline chemotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not undergone childhood cancer treatment involving radiation or anthracyclines may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Many people who survived cancer as children face a higher risk of heart disease later in life, often due to past treatments like radiation or certain chemotherapy drugs. Currently, doctors don't always have detailed ways to predict who is most at risk or how to best protect their hearts. This project is developing new ways to look at how much radiation different parts of the heart received during cancer treatment. By using this detailed information, we hope to create personalized risk assessments and improve long-term heart care for survivors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more personalized care plans, helping childhood cancer survivors understand their specific heart risks and receive tailored prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: This team was among the first to show that specific parts of the heart react differently to radiation, suggesting a novel approach to risk prediction.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Howell, Rebecca Maureen — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Howell, Rebecca Maureen
Related research
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Personalized heart risk prediction for childhood cancer survivors
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Aging, DNA Methylation, and Cardio Risk in Breast Cancer Survivors
A study to help breast cancer survivors understand how aging and DNA changes might raise the chance of heart disease.
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.