Project

Our long-term goal is to identify molecular and modifiable social determinants of health (SDoH) factors that can guide diagnostic precision and refine therapeutic strategies for cancer-related fatigue (CRF), subsequently improving global health. Our overall objective is to expand our current research on post-treatment (1-mo post-stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) CRF and gene expression to persistent (6-mo after SBRT) outcomes and to DNA methylation (DNAm) of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway genes. To attain our objectives, to the R21 cohort (n=150) followed from pre-to-1mo after SBRT, we propose to add a 6-mo-after SBRT visit to: Aim 1: Determine the impact of dietary adversity and other SDoH on persistent CRF (1a) and on global health (1b). Goal: Identified modifiable SDoH factors associated with persistent CRF and global health. Aim 2: Assess if before SBRT mTOR gene epigenetic regulation is associated with persistent CRF. Goal: Id. novel prognostic epigenetic markers that can define a persistent CRF phenotype.