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A Novel Approach Utilizing Organ Specific Age Proteomics
Investigating Cellular Senescence and Organ Aging in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Chemotherapy: A Novel Approach Utilizing Organ Specific Age Proteomics
Who can join
Ages 22 to 66 · Women
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥22years and \<66 years * Diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer (The American Joint Committee on Cancer stages I-III). * Understand and read English. * Receive care at the study site. * Able to understand and participate in study procedures for length of study. Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to provide consent, unable to communicate verbally. * Unable to understand or read English. * Enrolled in hospice care.
About the study
This study compares changes in P16INK4A expression and plasma proteomic signatures of specific organ age pre- and post-chemotherapy in women treated with adjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer. It aims to determine if biological and accelerated immune aging, assessed using T cells from peripheral blood, represents aging in different organs.
Patients receiving chemotherapy, especially adjuvant regimens that include anthracyclines and taxanes, often experience late development of cardiac toxicity, functional loss, and cognitive decline. Comparing baseline characteristics with organ aging before therapy might identify patients at the highest risk for chemotherapy complications. For example, this is clinically significant for patients whose therapy includes taxanes or other drugs known to cause peripheral neuropathy. Identifying aging in the neurological or vascular systems before treatment might lead to changes in regimens.
Determining accelerated aging in specific organs allows for investigating interventions to mitigate organ damage. For instance, identifying patients at the highest risk of cardiac aging after treatment could lead to testing the effects of exercise, senolytics, and other strategies to reduce the risk of long-term heart disease.
What is being tested
- p16INK4a mRNA level assessment (diagnostic test)
- organ-specific protein signatures assessment (diagnostic test)
Sponsor: UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center · Participants: 80 · Started: Oct 10, 2024
Contact the study team
- Allison Ross · Phone: 919-966-3856
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06789653
Locations in the U.S.
| North Carolina | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.