Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) awarded $401,625 to the University of California, Los Angeles on March 15, 2026, under the Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.846). This mechanistic ancillary study, embedded within an ongoing randomized clinical trial (PROFFI), will investigate the effects of exercise and senolytic therapy on skeletal muscle recovery and mitochondrial function in frail postmenopausal breast cancer survivors. The research will evaluate interventions targeting senescent cells through combined and individual treatment modalities, with the project completion scheduled for December 31, 2029.

The deliverables include comprehensive assessments of muscle mass, strength, mitochondrial respiration, and genome integrity in cancer survivors experiencing accelerated muscle dysfunction independent of cachexia. Through mechanistic analysis, the research will test the hypothesis that combining exercise with senolytic therapy produces greater improvements in muscle function and mitochondrial health compared to single interventions or placebo. This ancillary study directly addresses a gap in understanding skeletal muscle dysfunction in cancer survivors and contributes to the NIAMS program's mission of advancing research on musculoskeletal diseases and developing evidence-based therapeutic approaches.