RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Impact of Epigenetic Age on Clinic-biological Presentation and Prognosis in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Epigenetic Age in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (EpiC)

This study is about a group of blood cancers called Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs). These conditions cause your body to make too many blood cells and can lead to serious problems like blood clots or the disease changing into a more aggressive type of cancer. We know that older age often means worse outcomes for people with MPNs. Scientists have found a way to measure your body's 'biological age' (different from your age in years) by looking at changes in your DNA. This study aims to find out if this 'biological age' in MPN patients can help predict who might be more likely to develop complications or if their disease will get worse. Understanding this could help doctors provide better care in the future.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University Hospital, Bordeaux

Enrolment target

120

Start

15 Dec 2023

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2025

Myeloproliferative Neoplasm

What is this study about?

This study is looking into a group of rare blood cancers called Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs). In these conditions, your body makes too many blood cells. This can lead to various problems, including dangerous blood clots, or sometimes the disease can change into a more serious type of blood cancer like myelofibrosis or acute leukaemia. For patients with MPNs, your age is often a big factor in how well you do with the disease.

Scientists have recently discovered a way to measure what they call 'epigenetic age' – you can think of this as your body's 'biological age' or how old your cells appear to be, which can be different from your actual age in years. This is done by looking at tiny chemical changes on your DNA called 'DNA methylation'. Interestingly, this 'biological age' has been linked to other health issues like heart disease and different types of cancer.

This study, called 'EpiC', aims to figure out the 'epigenetic age' of people with MPNs at the time they are diagnosed. We want to see if there's a link between having an 'older' biological age and experiencing complications like blood clots or the disease progressing. By understanding this better, we hope to learn more about MPNs and potentially identify patients who might need closer monitoring or different types of care in the future. It's about finding new ways to predict how the disease might behave.

Key takeaways

This study explores 'biological age' in blood cancers (MPNs).
It aims to link biological age to complications like blood clots or disease progression.
No new tests or clinic visits are required, only past samples are used.
Results could help doctors better understand and manage MPNs in the future.
Your direct medical care will not be affected by your involvement.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for two main groups of people. The first group includes around 110 patients who have been diagnosed with a specific type of MPN: Essential Thrombocythemia (ET), Polycythemia Vera (PV), or Primary Myelofibrosis (PMF). For these patients, we need to have a sample of their blood cells (specifically certain white blood cells called granulocytes) that was collected at the time of their diagnosis, before they started any treatments that could change their DNA, like chemotherapy.

The second, smaller group will include about 10 people who do not have an MPN. These individuals should not have any type of blood cancer or other cancers. They might have had blood tests that showed unusual results, like too many platelets or red blood cells, but tests confirmed it wasn't an MPN. Similar to the MPN patients, they should not have been on certain treatments that could affect their DNA.

To be considered for either group, you must be 18 years old or older. The study needs to be able to follow up on your health for at least two years after your diagnosis if you are in the MPN group. Importantly, if you've already received chemotherapy or certain other strong medications that affect your immune system, you wouldn't be able to join this study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or over?
Have you been diagnosed with Essential Thrombocythemia (ET), Polycythemia Vera (PV), or Primary Myelofibrosis (PMF)? (If not, are you healthy and without blood cancer?)
Was a blood sample collected from you at the time of your diagnosis?
Were you NOT on chemotherapy or other strong immune-suppressing drugs at the time that blood sample was taken?
Have you had at least two years of follow-up care since your diagnosis (if you have an MPN)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study involves looking at existing biological samples and medical records, so you won't be asked to undergo any new procedures or take any medication. Researchers will use a blood sample (specifically from certain white blood cells called granulocytes) that was collected when you were first diagnosed with MPN (or when you had investigations if you don't have MPN). They will analyse the DNA from this sample to measure your 'epigenetic age'. They will also look at your medical history to understand your type of MPN, your symptoms, and if you've had any complications like blood clots or if your disease has changed over time. There are no study visits, medication changes, or direct patient contact involved. The total duration of your involvement is passive, as it relies on existing data.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no direct medical risks or inconveniences for you from participating in this study because it uses samples and information collected in the past. You won't need to attend extra appointments or undergo any additional tests. The main benefit is that your information could help researchers better understand myeloproliferative neoplasms and potentially lead to improved ways of predicting how these conditions might progress for future patients. This research might not directly benefit you personally, but it contributes to wider medical knowledge. You have the right to withdraw your consent for your data and samples to be used at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

CHU de Bordeaux, service Hématologie Biologique
Verified postcode
Bordeaux, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'epigenetic age'?

It's like your body's 'biological age' based on tiny chemical changes in your DNA, which can be different from how many years you've lived.

What are Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs)?

They are a group of rare blood cancers where your body makes too many blood cells, which can cause health problems.

Will I need extra tests or appointments?

No, this study only uses information and blood samples that were collected from you in the past, so you won't have any new procedures.

How does this study help patients?

By understanding 'epigenetic age' in MPNs, we hope to better predict who might get complications, leading to better care for future patients.

Can I still withdraw from the study?

Yes, you can withdraw your consent for your data and samples to be used at any time, without it affecting your medical care.

How to find out more

Olivier MANSIER

olivier.mansier@chu-bordeaux.fr Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.