Unlocking the Age Enigma: UCF Researchers Tackle Breast Cancer Treatment Disparities

Breast cancer, a disease that touches millions globally, presents a complex challenge, one where age often plays an underappreciated yet critical role. While advancements in treatment have been monumental, a significant disparity persists: older women frequently receive less aggressive therapy and, consequently, experience poorer outcomes.

This isn't always a matter of choice; it's a profound biological enigma that researchers at the University of Central Florida (UCF) are determined to solve.

Leading this vital inquiry are two brilliant minds: Dr. Annette Khaled, a professor of medicine in UCF’s College of Medicine, and Dr. Kenna Dorsey, a professor in the Department of Health Sciences at the College of Health Professions and Sciences.

Their collaborative effort aims to shed light on the intricate link between aging and breast cancer treatment response, hoping to revolutionize personalized medicine for a demographic often overlooked in standard clinical trials.

The core of their investigation lies in understanding the biological clock.

Aging isn’t merely a chronological process; it’s a complex cascade of cellular and molecular changes that profoundly impact the body's systems, including its ability to fight cancer and respond to therapies. Dr. Khaled, with her extensive background in cancer cell biology, and Dr. Dorsey, an expert in the science of aging, are uniquely positioned to dissect this intricate interplay.

“Right now, we typically treat older women and younger women with breast cancer with the same treatment regimen.

However, as we age, our bodies and cells change, and these changes could potentially affect the effectiveness of the treatment,” explains Dr. Khaled. This highlights the fundamental question driving their research: do the physiological changes associated with aging alter how cancer cells behave or how a patient’s body processes and reacts to therapeutic drugs?

Their research methodology is meticulous and innovative.

The team is delving into the nuanced world of cellular biology, studying cell lines and, crucially, patient samples to identify specific molecular markers and pathways that change with age. They are investigating how these age-related alterations influence the efficacy and potential toxicity of various breast cancer drugs.

The goal is clear: to uncover the underlying biological reasons for the observed disparities, moving beyond anecdotal observations to scientific proof.

The implications of this groundbreaking work are immense. By pinpointing the specific biological factors that make older patients respond differently to treatment, Drs.

Khaled and Dorsey hope to pave the way for truly personalized, age-specific therapies. This could mean developing targeted drug combinations, adjusting dosages based on biological age rather than just chronological age, or even identifying entirely new therapeutic strategies tailored to the unique physiological landscape of older individuals.

“This research could help improve treatment regimens and outcomes for older women,” Dr.

Dorsey emphasizes. Ultimately, this isn't just about understanding a disease; it’s about improving the quality of life and survival rates for a vulnerable patient population. UCF's commitment to cutting-edge biomedical research continues to push the boundaries of medical knowledge, striving for a future where every breast cancer patient, regardless of their age, receives the most effective and compassionate care possible.