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MUSCLEMAP: Muscle Aging in Cancer Survivors

About this study

Cancer and cancer treatment during childhood can affect muscles later in life. Some survivors may have less muscle, weaker muscles, or problems with how nerves and muscles work together. Researchers do not yet know why this happens. 

The MUSCLEMAP study will help researchers learn more about muscle health in childhood cancer survivors. The study includes adults in the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (St. Jude LIFE). It also includes adults from the community who have never had cancer. Researchers will compare muscle health in both groups. This may help them learn why some survivors have muscle problems later in life. 

The study has 4 groups. There will be 3 groups of survivors and 1 group of adults who never had cancer.  

Survivors will be grouped by: 

  • How much muscle they have  
  • How strong their muscles are  
  • Whether they got certain chemotherapy medicines  

People in the study will have tests to check: 

  • Muscle size and health  
  • How muscles and nerves work together  
  • How much muscle and fat are in the body  
  • Strength and movement  

Tests may include: 

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other imaging tests  
  • Physical health tests in the Human Performance Lab at St. Jude  
  • Tests to see how well nerves work  

Some study visits may happen during a regular St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (St. Jude LIFE) visit. What we learn from this study may help guide future studies to prevent or improve muscle weakness in childhood cancer survivors. 

Eligibility overview

  • At least 18 years old 
  • Enrolled in the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (SJLIFE)
  • Meet the needs for 1 of the study groups

The study includes 4 groups:

  • Group 1: People from the community who have never had cancer
  • Group 2: Childhood cancer survivors who have lower muscle mass or strength and received certain chemotherapy that can affect the nerves
  • Group 3: Childhood cancer survivors who have lower muscle mass or strength and did not receive these chemotherapies 
  • Group 4: Childhood cancer survivors who have both lower muscle mass and lower muscle strength. They may or may not have had chemotherapy that can affect the nerves.

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The above information is intended to provide only a basic description about a research protocol that may be currently active at St. Jude. The details made available here may not be the most up-to-date information on protocols used by St. Jude. To receive full details about a protocol and its status and or use at St. Jude, a physician must contact St. Jude directly.

Overview

Full title:

MUSCLEMAP: Muscle Aging Phenotypes in Childhood Cancer Survivors

Study goal:

To learn why some childhood cancer survivors have less muscle, weaker muscles, or problems with nerves and muscles

Diagnosis:

Childhood cancer survivorship

Age:

18 or older

For physicians and researchers

Patients accepted to St. Jude must be referred by a physician or other qualified medical professional. Learn how St. Jude can partner with you to care for your patient.

 

Learn more