Using telomere length to guide treatment decisions for men with rising PSA after prostate surgery
Official title: The telomere biomarker as a tool to inform decision-making for aggressive salvage therapy in men with rising PSA post prostatectomy
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10911785 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the length of telomeres in your cells can help doctors predict which men might need more intense treatment after prostate surgery if their cancer comes back, so they can make better choices about care for 839 men.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 22, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $505,583 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA279594-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10911785 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are men who have undergone prostatectomy and are experiencing biochemical recurrence indicated by rising PSA levels.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not undergone prostatectomy or those without biochemical recurrence may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how telomere length can serve as a predictive biomarker for men experiencing biochemical recurrence after prostatectomy. The study aims to determine which patients are more likely to benefit from aggressive salvage therapy, specifically the combination of salvage radiation and anti-androgen therapy. By analyzing the variability in telomere length in cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells, researchers hope to categorize patients into groups that can better inform treatment decisions. The research will involve both clinical trials and real-world clinical practice settings, encompassing a total of 839 men.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized treatment plans for men with rising PSA levels, potentially improving their outcomes and reducing unnecessary treatments.
How similar studies have gone: While the telomere biomarker has shown promise as a prognostic marker, its use as a predictive tool for treatment response is novel and has not been tested in this context.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meeker, Alan Keith — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Meeker, Alan Keith
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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.