Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Plant-Derived Epcam Antigen Induces Protective Anti-Cancer Response., Robert Brodzik, Sergei Spitsin, Max Golovkin, Katarzyna Bandurska, Carla Portocarrero, Monika Okulicz, Zenon Steplewski, Hilary Koprowski

Department of Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Immunotherapy holds great promise for treatment of infectious and malignant diseases and might help to prevent the occurrence and recurrence of cancer. We produced a plant-derived tumor-associated colorectal cancer antigen EpCAM (pGA733) at high yields using two modern plant expression systems. The full antigenic domain of EpCAM was efficiently purified to confirm its antigenic and immunogenic properties as compared to those of the antigen expressed in the baculovirus system (bGA733). Recombinant plant-derived antigen induced a humoral immune response in BALB/c mice. Sera from those mice efficiently inhibited the growth of SW948 colorectal carcinoma cells xenografted in nude mice, as compared …

Effects Of Colon Cancer Risk Counseling For First-Degree Relatives, Karen Glanz, Alana D. Steffen, Lauren Taglialatela

Faculty and Research Publications

Background: Individuals with a first-degree relative who has had colorectal cancer are at increased risk for colorectal cancer and thus can benefit from early detection. Tailored risk counseling may increase adherence to screening guidelines in these persons. The present study evaluated a culturally sensitive Colon Cancer Risk Counseling (CCRC) intervention for relatives of colorectal cancer patients.

Methods: A randomized trial evaluated personalized CCRC sessions with print materials and follow-up phone calls compared with a comparable General Health Counseling (GHC) intervention. One hundred and seventy-six siblings and children of colorectal cancer patients, living in Hawaii, were assessed at baseline and 4 …

Physician Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendations: An Explanation Based On Informed Decision-Making, Yelena N. Tarasenko, Sarah B. Wackerbarth, Jennifer M. Joyce, Steven A. Haist

Yelena N. Tarasenko

Objective: The purpose of this research was to examine the content of physicians’ colorectal cancer screening recommendations. More specifically, using the framework of informed decision making synthesized by Braddock and colleagues, we conducted a qualitative study of the content of recommendations to describe how physicians are currently presenting this information to patients.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 65 primary care physicians. We analyzed responses to a question designed to elicit how the physicians typically communicate their recommendation.

Results: Almost all of the physicians (98.5%) addressed the “nature of decision” element. A majority of physicians discussed “uncertainties …