Understanding how childhood cancer survivors age faster than their peers
Official title: Trajectory of epigenetic aging and health outcomes in childhood cancer survivors
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11082410 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how childhood cancer can make survivors age faster than usual, by checking certain markers in their blood, and it aims to find out what factors affect their health so we can help them live healthier lives.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $754,850 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA279520-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11082410 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are survivors of childhood cancer and are now adults, particularly those who have been cancer-free for at least five years.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not survived childhood cancer or those who are currently undergoing cancer treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the accelerated aging process in survivors of childhood cancer by measuring biological aging through epigenetic markers. It aims to identify the risk factors and health outcomes associated with this accelerated aging, utilizing data from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study, which includes a large group of long-term survivors. By analyzing blood samples collected at multiple time points, the study seeks to uncover the relationship between cancer treatments, health behaviors, and chronic health conditions in these individuals. The findings could provide insights into how to improve health outcomes for this unique population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and management of chronic health conditions in childhood cancer survivors, ultimately improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that epigenetic age acceleration is significantly higher in childhood cancer survivors, indicating that this research builds on established findings in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Zhaoming — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Wang, Zhaoming
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Strategies to Find and Reconnect Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors to Adult Follow-Up Care
A nationwide effort to locate and re-engage young people who survived childhood cancer so they can keep receiving important follow-up care.
-
Using ECG and AI to find childhood cancer survivors at risk for late cardiomyopathy
This project uses routine ECG tracings plus artificial intelligence to spot childhood cancer survivors who may develop heart muscle disease years later.
-
STRENGTH: Time-restricted eating to reduce cardiometabolic risk in childhood cancer survivors
A program tests whether time-restricted eating can lower heart and diabetes risks for adults who survived childhood cancer.
-
ACES: Feasibility and guidelines for adding exercise to care for older cancer survivors
A research project is exploring how to safely and practically include exercise in the care plans of people 65 and older living with cancer to improve their daily functioning and quality of life.
-
Family-centered communication help for young adult survivors of childhood cancer
A K08 grant to develop and pilot a tailored family-centered communication program to help young adult survivors of childhood cancer manage their ongoing care.
-
Cognitive aging in long-term breast cancer survivors
This research explores how aging affects thinking and memory in people who survived breast cancer many years after treatment, focusing on those 65 and older.
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.