# Multi-omic Evaluation of the mTOR pathway in Radiotherapy-Related Fatigue

> **NIH NIH K23** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $167,080

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most debilitating, distressing, and commonly reported side effects of cancer
treatment, with up to 71% of prostate cancer (PC) patients complaining of fatigue during radiation therapy (RT).
While the etiology and associated mechanisms of the fatigue responses to RT treatment remain elusive, the
candidate recently found evidence that changes in gene expression of both MTOR and p70S6K were associated
with changes in fatigue during RT. The proposed study will explore the network of interactions among the
biomolecules present in mTOR signaling pathways at the systems level, which could shift existing symptom
management paradigm as it relates to fatigue by offering an understanding of how the mTOR biological functions
are regulated and how the fatigue may emerge from its dysregulation. The proposed research is guided by a
model of dysregulation of the mTOR pathway and RT-related fatigue. The training plan was designed to allow
the candidate to build on her post-doctoral experience to receive the necessary training to become an
independent investigator, proficient in genomics, other “omics”, and bioinformatics as they relate to symptom
science. An experienced team of scientists will provide career mentoring and training with the following
objectives: (1) enhance knowledge of “omics” (i.e., transcriptomics, epigenomics), and the science related to
mechanisms of symptoms; (2) gain additional expertise in the characterization of fatigue phenotypes and in
relation to patient biological and clinical data; (3) attain bioinformatics proficiency (via didactic coursework and
comprehensive hands-on training) in the analysis of transcriptomic, epigenomic, and protein data, and
interpretation of the findings; and (4) improve scientific writing skills and build collaborations with experts in the
fields of bio-behavioral, symptom management, and omic research that will allow for successful publications in
high-impact, peer-reviewed journals, and submission of competitive NIH R-Series grant. The training plan is for
thirty-six months and includes six core areas: didactic; interdisciplinary seminars; mentorship; laboratory training;
research; and dissemination. There are 3 specific aims proposed. Aim 1: Identify mTOR pathway and activity-
related genes associated with changes in fatigue scores from pre, end, and 1 month after stereotactic body
radiation therapy (SBRT) in a sample of men with PC. Aim 2: Investigate the relationships between epigenetic
regulation of mTOR pathway genes associated with changes in fatigue scores from pre, end, and 1 month after
SBRT in a sample of men with PC. Aim 3: Determine the associations between changes in mTOR signaling
pathway and activity-related proteins with changes in fatigue scores from pre, end, and 1 month after SBRT in a
sample of men with PC. This study identifies a novel area for exploration and aligns well with the NINR Strategic
Plan calling for studies on sy...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10487526
- **Project number:** 5K23NR020039-02
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Velda Janet Gonzalez-Mercado
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $167,080
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-15 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10487526

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10487526, Multi-omic Evaluation of the mTOR pathway in Radiotherapy-Related Fatigue (5K23NR020039-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10487526. Licensed CC0.

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