# Cancer-Related Fatigue and the Adaptive Response to Oxidative Stress

> **NIH NIH R00** · UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $248,956

## Abstract

The candidate proposes a career development Pathway to Independence Award to further advance her
laboratory and clinical research skills in the area of symptom science research. Each aim of the proposal is
supported by didactic coursework, research training experiences, scientific meetings and seminars, and a
detailed dissemination plan. The candidate’s ultimate career goal is to become an independent, extramurally-funded
nurse scientist with expertise in biological underpinnings of cancer-related fatigue (CRF), one of the
most commonly reported side effects of cancer and its treatment. The etiology of CRF is poorly understood and
there is no clear, single, clinical definition. The purpose of this proposal is to identify cellular stress response
genes that define a unique external beam radiation therapy (EBRT)-related fatigue phenotype.
The K99 period of the proposal will focus on identifying a cluster of cellular stress response genes
from the peripheral blood cells of men who are at risk to develop acute clinically-significant fatigue during
EBRT for non-metastatic prostate cancer (NM-PC) and validating the functional role of these differentially
expressed genes in cellular energy production using an in vitro radiation-induced cell stress model. The R00
period will identify a cluster of cell stress response genes from peripheral blood cells of men who are at risk to
develop persistent clinically-significant fatigue months after completion of EBRT for NM-PC and to identify
genes at EBRT completion that can serve as prognostic markers of persistent fatigue. Questionnaire data
assessing CRF and peripheral blood samples for genetic analysis will be collected during EBRT and following
EBRT completion. The overall goal of this K99/R00 research proposal is to provide the candidate with
expertise in advancing symptom science through the performance and interpretation of genetic assays under
the guidance of an experienced team of scientists. The findings from the K99/R00 investigations will optimize
precision medicine in oncology by identifying prognostic genetic markers that can define a unique EBRT-related
fatigue phenotype, as well as identify biologically-relevant therapeutic targets to manage EBRT-related
fatigue.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9964912
- **Project number:** 5R00NR015822-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Kristin Ashley Dickinson
- **Activity code:** R00 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $248,956
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-04-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9964912

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9964912, Cancer-Related Fatigue and the Adaptive Response to Oxidative Stress (5R00NR015822-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9964912. Licensed CC0.

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