Understanding how chemotherapy affects the body's internal clock and causes fatigue
Official title: Chemotherapy-induced circadian master clock disruptions and fatigue
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11210738 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how chemotherapy affects the body's natural sleep-wake cycles and causes tiredness in cancer patients, using a special mouse model to find ways to help improve energy levels and overall well-being for those going through treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | January 23, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $72,094 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA270372-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11210738 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy, who experience significant fatigue.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing chemotherapy or those with conditions unrelated to circadian rhythm disruptions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how chemotherapy disrupts the body's circadian rhythms, which can lead to significant fatigue in cancer patients. By studying a special mouse model that simulates breast cancer survivors, the researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms behind these disruptions and their impact on patient well-being. The study will explore how inflammation caused by chemotherapy affects the brain's master clock and how this may contribute to fatigue. The ultimate goal is to develop new interventions that can help restore normal circadian function and improve the quality of life for cancer patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that alleviate fatigue and improve the overall quality of life for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of linking circadian disruptions to chemotherapy-induced fatigue is relatively novel, there is growing evidence in related fields suggesting that addressing circadian rhythms can improve health outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pyter, Leah M — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Pyter, Leah M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Chemotherapy and your body clock: links to fatigue
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How chemotherapy affects the body's internal clock and causes fatigue
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Understanding and predicting cancer-related fatigue during chemotherapy
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Exploring the link between energy production in cells and fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy
This study is looking at how changes in energy production in your cells might be causing fatigue for breast cancer patients like you who are undergoing chemotherapy with anthracycline drugs, and it aims to find ways to help manage that tiredness better.
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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.