Interconnections Between Aging, Epigenetics, and Gut Microbiota: Implications for Cancer Therapy and Outcome Prediction

PI: Armando Licata CO-PI: Chiara Dossena

Systemic cancer therapies, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), hold great promise but may inadvertently accelerate biological aging. 

Epigenetic clocks based on DNA methylation provide a sensitive measure for detecting changes in biological age, while the gut microbiome and proteomic profiles can offer additional insights into the biological impacts of these treatments. This study employs nanopore sequencing to generate high-resolution methylation data from both adult and pediatric cancer cohorts before and after ICI or chemotherapy. 

We will integrate this epigenetic data with microbiome analyses, exploring how these multi-omics signatures correlate with treatment outcomes, toxicity, and potential age acceleration. By refining and applying epigenetic clocks, we aim to detect and quantify accelerated aging in real time. 

Coupling these measurements with proteomic and gut microbiome data will illuminate mechanisms driving therapy-related aging and toxicity. Ultimately, the project aspires to guide clinicians in balancing treatment efficacy against long-term health impacts, helping preserve both lifespan and health span for cancer patients in an era of rapidly evolving ICI-based therapies.