# Cancer Survivorship Research and Training in Radiation Cystitis

> **NIH NIH K01** · WILLIAM BEAUMONT HOSPITAL RESEARCH INST · 2020 · $54,000

## Abstract

Cancer survivors are at risk for developing radiation cystitis (RC) after radiation therapy. RC is a debilitating
bladder and may be life-threatening. Current therapies are inadequate and can have severe life changing side-effects.
The absence of reliable treatment and early diagnostic markers is in part due to limited comprehension of the
histological and molecular changes associated with the progression of this condition.
 I hypothesize that radiation-induced damage to the bladder vasculature drives the chronic inflammation,
fibrosis and hematuria associated with RC. This hypothesis will be addressed through three specific aims: 1.
Determine the effect of radiation therapy on bladder vasculature function, 2. Assess and target the inflammation in an
animal model of RC, and 3. Validate urinary candidate biomarkers for early detection of RC.
 The study design includes assessing functional changes of endothelial cells and determining changes in
ICAM-1 expression and its role in immune cell recruitment in response to irradiation. Non-irradiated and
cyclophosphamide treated cells will serve as negative and positive controls respectively. Using a mouse model of RC,
a timeline of molecular and histological bladder changes in response to radiation will be determined. Non-irradiated
bladders and cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis in mice will be used as negative and positive controls for these
studies respectively. Finally urine samples from RC patients with a history of prostate or cervical cancer will be used
to develop a biomarker for RC. Controls consist of age-matched male and female urine samples.
 As a cancer survivor and a scientist, my ultimate career goal is to improve the quality of life of cancer
survivors through my research. I plan on achieving this goal by becoming an independent translation investigator,
focusing my research on urological complications from cancer therapies, and implementing my research findings into
the clinic.
 Through my past research track record, I have extensive experience in basic science techniques in vascular
and cancer biology. The additional necessary skills to successfully complete this research and training proposal will
be acquired through mentorship and coursework in translational research, radiation, and biostatistics. In addition, I
will be receiving practical training in viral infections and pathology. I will be receiving continuous mentorship from
Drs. Chancellor and Lamb. Drs. Kanai and Wilson will serve as co-mentors. My mentors have a history of successful
mentorship of NIH scientists and we have a superb and supportive training environment here at Beaumont Research
Institute and Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.
 The outcome of our studies can significantly improve the quality of life of many cancer survivors that are
suffering with severe bladder complications due to radiation therapy. These studies could lead to finding effective
therapy for RC as well as a urine biomarker for...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10226404
- **Project number:** 3K01DK114334-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** WILLIAM BEAUMONT HOSPITAL RESEARCH INST
- **Principal Investigator:** Bernadette Margaretha Maria Zwaans
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $54,000
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-09-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10226404

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10226404, Cancer Survivorship Research and Training in Radiation Cystitis (3K01DK114334-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10226404. Licensed CC0.

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