This is an alarming find.
A recent study reveals that various forms of breast cancer treatment may accelerate the aging of cells in recipients. Lead author Judith Carroll noted, “For the first time, we’re demonstrating that the aging signals we previously attributed to chemotherapy are also evident in women who have undergone radiation and surgery.”
Carroll, who is an associate professor in psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and an investigator at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, expressed surprise at the findings. “We anticipated increased gene expression associated with biological aging in women treated with chemotherapy, but we were taken aback to find similar changes in those who received only radiation or surgery,” she stated. The research results were published on October 7 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Historically, the challenges of battling breast cancer have been connected to accelerated aging, which can manifest as fatigue, cognitive decline, and increased physical frailty among survivors. This raises the question of how much cancer treatment contributes to these declines.
To investigate, the UCLA team spent two years analyzing the gene expression of blood cells in women undergoing breast cancer treatment. They focused on identifying genetic markers associated with cellular aging, including responses to DNA damage, cellular senescence (the process by which cells stop dividing), and inflammation markers. Cellular senescence is particularly significant since it can lead to the release of harmful substances that affect nearby cells.
The researchers found evident signs of inflammatory signaling and cellular senescence in immune system cells, regardless of whether the women received chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. This indicated that these cells were aging at an accelerated rate. Additionally, there were noticeable increases in DNA damage-response genes, a further indication of cellular aging, observed in patients undergoing all types of treatment.
The study’s senior author, Julienne Bower, emphasized the importance of these findings for breast cancer survivors. “The results suggest that women undergoing treatment for breast cancer exhibit gene expression patterns indicating increased DNA damage and inflammation. These could be crucial targets for enhancing recovery and improving quality of life after cancer treatment,” said Bower, who is also a member of the cancer center and a psychology professor at UCLA. Carroll concluded that understanding these long-term effects of cancer therapy is essential for enhancing survivorship, focusing not just on longevity but also on improving overall health and quality of life.
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