Digital Commons Network^™

Exploration Of Cancer Proliferative Signaling In Chemotherapy Drug Resistance And Mdig-Induced Tumorigenesis, Kai Wu

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

EXPLORATION OF CANCER PROLIFERATIVE SIGNALING IN CHEMOTHERAPY DRUG RESISTANCE AND MDIG-INDUCED TUMORIGENESIS

by

KAI WU

August 2016

Advisor: Dr. Fei Chen

Major: Pharmaceutical Sciences

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Aberrant intracellular signaling pathway is one of the major driving forces of malignancy through multiple stages of human cancers. Our study demonstrates that in cancer cells, the signaling pathways are profoundly and actively intertwined with each other so they can synergistically affect cell biology, including promoting development of malignancy and compensating the loss of proliferation or survival signals in responses to anti-tumor drug. Moreover, cancer cells can also adopt “non-canonical” mechanisms …

Soy Isoflavones Mediate Radioprotection Of Normal Lung Tissue By Modulating The Radiation-Induced Inflammatory Response, Lisa Marie Abernathy

Wayne State University Dissertations

Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is caused by an early inflammatory process triggered by damage to lung parenchyma, epithelial cells, vascular endothelial cells and stroma. Initially, oxidative injuries after radiation induce altered expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Infiltrating inflammatory cells are stimulated and activated, producing additional mediators, resulting in a cytokine cascade. The expansion and perpetual activation of inflammatory cells, as well as lung parenchyma, lead to clinical pneumonitis. Activated cells produce molecular mediators and growth factors that affect the proliferation and gene expression of lung fibroblasts. This process leads to increased collagen synthesis and deposition, eventually leading to the development of …

Chemotherapy For Lung Cancer: Determinants Of Guideline Adherence And Associated Patient Outcomes, Ramzi George Salloum

Wayne State University Dissertations

Evidence-based guidelines recommend chemotherapy for medically fit patients with stage II-IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Adherence to chemotherapy guidelines has rarely been studied among large populations, mainly because performance status (PS), a key component in assessing chemotherapy appropriateness, is missing from claims-based datasets. Among a large cohort of patients with known PS, this dissertation describes chemotherapy use relative to guideline recommendations and identifies patient factors and outcomes associated with guideline concordant use. Among these patients 29% do not receive guideline recommended chemotherapy treatment, missing opportunities for cure or receiving chemotherapy with more risk of harm than benefit, thereby likely …