MIRAMARE (Mechanisms of the Inversed Relationship Between Menarche Age and Radiation-Induced Breast and Endometrial Cancer) is an international research project conducted under the EURATOM/PIANOFORTE program, funded by the European Commission.

Objective and Scope of Research

The MIRAMARE project focuses on elucidating the mechanisms responsible for the clinically observed relationship between the age of menarche and the risk of radiation-induced breast and endometrial cancers. The research will be conducted using cellular models and validated with data. Scientists will examine the influence of obesity-related hormones (e.g., leptin) and sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) on irradiated cells. Two irradiation scenarios will be analyzed: a single exposure to a high dose and chronic exposure to low doses. The analyses will cover changes at the epigenomic and genomic levels, cellular aging, immune response, and stem cell properties.

Expected Outcomes

By employing advanced bioinformatics and artificial intelligence techniques, the project will generate new insights into the impact of obesity and the age of menarche on the risk of radiation-induced cancers. The findings may contribute to more effective cancer prevention strategies for women and expand knowledge in the field of radiological protection.

Project Partners and Participants

• Leader: prof. Andrzej Wojcik
  Stockholm University, Department of Molecular Biosciences, the Wenner-Gren Institute
• dr Serge Candeias
  CEA French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)
• prof. Umberto Galderisi
  University of Campania
• prof. Joanna Polanska
  Silesian University of Technology, Department of Data Science and Engineering

The project is also supported by HQ Science from the UK and dr Christophe Badie from the UK Health Security Agency.