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Epigenetic age acceleration, telomere length, and neurocognitive function in long-term survivors of childhood cancer

Author

Listed:
  • AnnaLynn M. Williams

    (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control
    University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Surgery)

  • Nicholas S. Phillips

    (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Psychology and Biobehavioral Sciences)

  • Qian Dong

    (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control)

  • Matthew J. Ehrhardt

    (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control
    St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Oncology)

  • Nikesha Gilmore

    (University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Surgery)

  • Kah Poh Loh

    (University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Medicine)

  • Xiaoxi Meng

    (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control)

  • Kirsten K. Ness

    (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control)

  • Melissa M. Hudson

    (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control)

  • Leslie L. Robison

    (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control)

  • Zhaoming Wang

    (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control)

  • Kevin R. Krull

    (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Psychology and Biobehavioral Sciences)

Abstract

Survivors of childhood cancer are prone to neurocognitive impairment and premature aging, raising concerns about early onset dementia. In this cross-sectional study, 1413 survivors of childhood cancer complete a neuropsychological battery. Mean leukocyte telomere length residual (mLTL) and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) from five different epigenetic clocks, are derived from linear regression of mLTL or epigenetic age on chronological age. Among survivors treated with CNS-directed therapy, higher EAA, measured by PCGrimAge, or DunedinPACE is associated with worse performance on multiple measures of attention, processing speed, and executive functions (p’s

Suggested Citation

  • AnnaLynn M. Williams & Nicholas S. Phillips & Qian Dong & Matthew J. Ehrhardt & Nikesha Gilmore & Kah Poh Loh & Xiaoxi Meng & Kirsten K. Ness & Melissa M. Hudson & Leslie L. Robison & Zhaoming Wang & , 2025. "Epigenetic age acceleration, telomere length, and neurocognitive function in long-term survivors of childhood cancer," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-65664-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65664-5
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