# Impact of Chemotherapy on Bladder Function in Children

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · 2020 · $163,306

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 This K23 proposal will provide Nicholas G. Cost, MD with the protected time, mentorship, training, and
experience to become an independent surgeon-scientist. Dr. Cost is a board-certified urologist with a unique
practice focused on pediatric urologic oncology developed after fellowship training in both urologic oncology
and pediatric urology. His long-term vision is to minimize the impact of pediatric cancer care on long-term
urologic outcomes. Specifically, he is focused on studying the impact of chemotherapy on bladder function.
This involves studying the epidemiology of bladder dysfunction (BD) in childhood cancer survivors and
investigating alterations in bladder physiology induced by chemotherapy. This will mature into studying
mechanisms behind this pathophysiology and identifying biomarkers of chemotherapy-induced BD. Skills that
he will acquire during the award, include: 1) didactic and “hands on” education in epidemiology, 2) advanced
laboratory skills in the study of bladder physiology, and 3) investigation into urinary proteomics and biomarkers.
 This grant proposes to objectively describe the prevalence and extent of chemotherapy-induced pediatric
BD, as well as explain the mechanisms of dysfunction in order to prevent chemotherapy-induced BD. While
chemotherapy is the foundation for treating childhood cancer, these therapies are known to have a variety of
deleterious side effects. There is much known about their most common side effects, but there has been no
investigation into how chemotherapy impacts bladder function. In connecting chemotherapy to potential BD,
there are two widely used agents in pediatric oncology, Vincristine (VCR) and Doxorubicin (DOX), which are
known to cause peripheral neuropathy (VCR) and myotoxicity (DOX). Such neurotoxicity and myotoxicity could
rationally induce BD. This grant proposes to address this gap in knowledge with three specific aims: 1) To
evaluate the symptoms of BD in children treated with VCR and/or DOX; 2) To determine the mechanisms
underlying BD after VCR and/or DOX using a murine model; 3) To evaluate the urinary proteome, as well as
levels of known urinary biomarkers of BD, in children exposed to VCR and/or DOX. The first aim will leverage a
large pediatric cancer survivorship population at Dr. Cost's institution. The second and third aim will be
supported by Dr. Cost's mentors who have a strong track record of innovative research in bladder physiology.
 The proposed work has high potential to make a significant clinical impact. It will be the first description of
this clinical phenomenon and represents the necessary initial steps in a career-long investigation into
understanding and preventing chemotherapy-induced pediatric BD. Based on Dr. Cost's initial work, past
productivity, and strong mentorship team, the proposed work is realistic and feasible within the award period
and will provide Dr. Cost the skills necessary to compete for future R01 or equivalent f...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10038031
- **Project number:** 1K23DK125673-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- **Principal Investigator:** Nicholas G Cost
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $163,306
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-07-08 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10038031

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10038031, Impact of Chemotherapy on Bladder Function in Children (1K23DK125673-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10038031. Licensed CC0.

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