Telomere LengthACCANCT07097155
Avocado Consumption and Cellular Aging in Breast Cancer Survivors
A study testing Daily Avocado Consumption in people with Telomere Length and Breast Cancer Females, run by Institut Investigacio Sanitaria Pere Virgili at 1 site in Spain.
Trial summary
Women with breast cancer are at increased risk of comorbidities and premature mortality, potentially due to accelerated biological aging. Telomere attrition has been proposed as a biomarker of this process, which could be mitigated through interventions targeting behavioral factors such as diet. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 65 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Telomere Length, Breast Cancer Females
- What is being tested?
- Daily Avocado Consumption
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 120 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSpain
- Study dates
- 12 Jan 2026to Aug 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 40 to 65 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Women diagnosed with primary breast cancer in stages I, II or III;
- 40-65 years old at screening;
- Cancer treatment (radiotherapy and chemotherapy) completed ≥ 6 months but not more than 10 years at the time of recruitment;
- Currently consuming less than 2 avocados per week;
- Signed the informed consent letter.
Who cannot join
- Metastasis;
- Ductal carcinoma or lobular carcinoma in situ;
- Breast cancer recurrence;
- Cancer diagnosis other than breast cancer or non-melanoma skin cancer;
- Body mass index ≥40kg/m2;
- Currently pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy in the following 6 months;
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- Allergy to latex;
- Unwilling to consume avocado;
- Immunodeficiency or HIV-positive status;
- Alcohol abuse (>50g/day);
- Unstable use of plant sterols, mineral supplements, use of fibre supplements, fish oil, or antioxidants in the 4 weeks prior to enrolment, or plans to change this during the study;
- Currently participating in any other randomized controlled trial;
- Difficulty or impossibility of an adequate follow-up;
- Inability or unwillingness to give written informed consent or to communicate with study personnel, or illiteracy;
- Patients with an acute infection or inflammation (e.g., pneumonia) will be allowed to participate in the study 3 months after recovery.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Spain1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Unit for Public Health and Nutritional Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Rovira i Virgili
Reus, Tarragona, 43201
Nerea Becerra Tomás, PhD, +34977759334, nerea.becerra@urv.cat
Nerea Becerra Tomás, PhD
About this study
Official title: Effect of Daily Avocado Consumption on Cellular Aging in Female Breast Cancer Survivors: The ACCA Study
Women with breast cancer are at increased risk of comorbidities and premature mortality, potentially due to accelerated biological aging. Telomere attrition has been proposed as a biomarker of this process, which could be mitigated through interventions targeting behavioral factors such as diet. In recent years, avocado has drawn attention in nutritional research due to its unique nutritional profile.
Main objective: To evaluate the effect of consuming one avocado per day on biological aging-measured by telomere length-in breast cancer survivors, compared to a habitual diet (less than two avocados per week). Secondary objectives include changes in telomerase activity and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Additional objectives include classical cardiovascular disease markers (glucose metabolism, lipid profile, blood pressure); anthropometric measurements; symptoms of depression and anxiety; quality of life and fatigue; and diet quality.
Methodology: A randomized controlled parallel-group trial involving 120 breast cancer survivors. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (one avocado per day) or the control group (habitual diet with fewer than two avocados per week) and followed for 4 months. At baseline and the end of the intervention, a general questionnaire will be administered; blood and urine samples will be collected; anthropometric and blood pressure measurements will be taken; and diet, physical activity, symptoms of depression and anxiety, quality of life, and fatigue will be assessed. Mean changes from baseline to the end of the intervention in the primary outcome (telomere length) and secondary outcomes (inflammation, oxidative stress, classical cardiovascular disease markers, anthropometric measures, symptoms of depression and anxiety, quality of life, and diet) will be compared between the intervention and control groups using linear regression models.
- Conditions
- Telomere Length, Breast Cancer Females
- Being tested
- Daily Avocado Consumption
- Keywords
- Avocado consumption, Telomere length, Breast Cancer
- Medical subject headings
- Breast Neoplasms
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Daily Avocado ConsumptionOther
Participants follow their usual diet and consume one avocado per day for 4 months
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Avocado Consumption | Experimental | Participants assigned to the intervention group will be advised to follow their usual diet and to consume one avocado per day for the next four months. To ensure and facilitate compliance with the intervention, we will provide a leaflet with some recipes for incorporating avocados into their regular diet.
Avocados will be provided for free. Participants will pick up avocados every two weeks from the study site. Receives: Other: Daily Avocado Consumption |
| Control - Usual Diet | No intervention | Participants allocated to the control group will be advised to follow their usual diet. Avocado consumption will not be encouraged. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change from baseline in leukocyte telomere length
Telomere length (TL) analysis will be performed employing the traditional real-time PCR(1) method (Cawthon 2009) by the QuantiTect Syber Green PCR kit (Qiagen). This approach employs the 36B4R single-copy gene as a reference for each sample. The measurements will be performed on a monochrome multiplex real-time quantitative PCR in a BioradCFX96 thermocycler on samples collected before and after the intervention. The data obtained by PCR will be expressed as the ratio of telomere/reference gene (T / S) as the ratio between the number of copies of the telomeric repeat (T) and a single copy gene (36B4F) (S)
Measured: Participants will be followed for 4 months. Measurements will be done before and after 4 months.
Secondary outcomes (3)
Change from baseline in telomerase activity
Telomerase activity will be assessed in white blood cells (PBMCs) using the TeloTAGGG Telomerase PCR ELISAPLUS method, a photometric enzyme immunoassay for quantitative determination of telomerase activity, utilizing the Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) (Sigma Aldrich).
Measured: Participants will be followed for 4 months. Measurements will be done before and after 4 months.
Change from baseline in inflammatory markers
Blood samples will be collected in the morning after 8-12h fast. Inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, IL-8, IL-10) will be measured by commercial ELISA.
Measured: Participants will be followed for 4 months. Measurements will be done before and after 4 months.
Change from baseline in oxidative markers
Blood samples will be collected in the morning after an 8-12h fast. Oxidized LDL will be measured in plasma.
Spot urine will be collected, and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-isoprostanes) will be measured.
Measured: Participants will be followed for 4 months. Measurements will be done before and after 4 months.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted31 Jul 2025
- Study start12 Jan 2026
- Primary completionMar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionAug 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Telomere LengthStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Institut Investigacio Sanitaria Pere Virgili
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Nerea Becerra Tomás, Institut Investigacio Sanitaria Pere Virgili
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07097155
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PI24/00556
- Acronym
- ACCA
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 15 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 12 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Daily Avocado Consumption on Cellular Aging in Female Breast Cancer Survivors: The ACCA Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07097155
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ACCA / PI24/00556
- Conditions
- Telomere Length, Breast Cancer Females
- Keywords
- Avocado consumption, Telomere length, Breast Cancer
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Institut Investigacio Sanitaria Pere VirgiliUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 12 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Aug 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 31 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Women with breast cancer are at increased risk of comorbidities and premature mortality, potentially due to accelerated biological aging. Telomere attrition has been proposed as a biomarker of this process, which could be mitigated through interventions targeting behavioral factors such as diet. In recent years, avocado has drawn attention in nutritional research due to its unique nutritional profile.
Main objective: To evaluate the effect of consuming one avocado per day on biological aging-measured by telomere length-in breast cancer survivors, compared to a habitual diet (less than two avocados per week). Secondary objectives include changes in telomerase activity and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Additional objectives include classical cardiovascular disease markers (glucose metabolism, lipid profile, blood pressure); anthropometric measurements; symptoms of depression and anxiety; quality of life and fatigue; and diet quality.
Methodology: A randomized controlled parallel-group trial involving 120 breast cancer survivors. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (one avocado per day) or the control group (habitual diet with fewer than two avocados per week) and followed for 4 months. At baseline and the end of the intervention, a general questionnaire will be administered; blood and urine samples will be collected; anthropometric and blood pressure measurements will be taken; and diet, physical activity, symptoms of depression and anxiety, quality of life, and fatigue will be assessed. Mean changes from baseline to the end of the intervention in the primary outcome (telomere length) and secondary outcomes (inflammation, oxidative stress, classical cardiovascular disease markers, anthropometric measures, symptoms of depression and anxiety, quality of life, and diet) will be compared between the intervention and control groups using linear regression models.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Avocado Consumption | Experimental | Other: Daily Avocado ConsumptionParticipants assigned to the intervention group will be advised to follow their usual diet and to consume one avocado per day for the next four months. To ensure and facilitate compliance with the intervention, we will provide a leaflet with some recipes for incorporating avocados into their regular diet. Avocados will be provided for free. Participants will pick up avocados every two weeks from the study site. |
| Control - Usual Diet | No intervention | –Participants allocated to the control group will be advised to follow their usual diet. Avocado consumption will not be encouraged. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 65 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Women diagnosed with primary breast cancer in stages I, II or III;
- 40-65 years old at screening;
- Cancer treatment (radiotherapy and chemotherapy) completed ≥ 6 months but not more than 10 years at the time of recruitment;
- Currently consuming less than 2 avocados per week;
- Signed the informed consent letter.
Key exclusion criteria (15 listed)
- Metastasis;
- Ductal carcinoma or lobular carcinoma in situ;
- Breast cancer recurrence;
- Cancer diagnosis other than breast cancer or non-melanoma skin cancer;
- Body mass index ≥40kg/m2;
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Avocado ConsumptionParticipants follow their usual diet and consume one avocado per day for 4 months | Other | Daily Avocado Consumption |
Primary outcome
Change from baseline in leukocyte telomere length
Time frame: Participants will be followed for 4 months. Measurements will be done before and after 4 months.
Telomere length (TL) analysis will be performed employing the traditional real-time PCR(1) method (Cawthon 2009) by the QuantiTect Syber Green PCR kit (Qiagen). This approach employs the 36B4R single-copy gene as a reference for each sample. The measurements will be performed on a monochrome multiplex real-time quantitative PCR in a BioradCFX96 thermocycler on samples collected before and after the intervention. The data obtained by PCR will be expressed as the ratio of telomere/reference gene (T / S) as the ratio between the number of copies of the telomeric repeat (T) and a single copy gene (36B4F) (S)
3 secondary outcomes
Change from baseline in telomerase activity
Time frame: Participants will be followed for 4 months. Measurements will be done before and after 4 months.
Change from baseline in inflammatory markers
Time frame: Participants will be followed for 4 months. Measurements will be done before and after 4 months.
Change from baseline in oxidative markers
Time frame: Participants will be followed for 4 months. Measurements will be done before and after 4 months.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 12 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Daily Avocado Consumption in people with Telomere Length and Breast Cancer Females, run by Institut Investigacio Sanitaria Pere Virgili at 1 site in Spain.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 15 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Spain. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Nerea Becerra Tomás, PhD (+34977759334, nerea.becerra@urv.cat), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change from baseline in leukocyte telomere length (time frame: Participants will be followed for 4 months. Measurements will be done before and after 4 months.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 May 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.