Kristin Dickinson

Summary

My research to this point has focused on understanding cancer-related symptoms, specifically the biology of cancer-related fatigue (e.g., the role of mitochondrial function and oxidative stress in cancer-related fatigue in men with prostate cancer). We have identified mitochondrial enzymes and oxidative stress genes as contributing to fatigue phenotypes in men receiving radiation therapy for prostate cancer. These data supported a National Institute of Nursing Research Intramural K99/R00 which investigated the role of cellular adaptive mechanisms (apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy) and mitochondrial function in acute cancer-related fatigue. Preliminary findings from the K99 phase support the hypothesis that increased expression of genes related to cell death contribute to the fatigue phenotype in men with prostate cancer receiving radiation therapy. The R00 phase (in analysis) aims to validate the K99 findings, add examination of mitochondrial function, and extend investigation to chronic cancer-related fatigue.