Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Dual Functional Magnetic Nanoparticles Conjugated With Carbon Quantum Dots For Hyperthermia And Photodynamic Therapy For Cancer, Mounika Choppadandi, Kondi Soumya, Sumanta Ghosh, Aishwarya Balu, Tanvi Shingote, Srivalliputtur Sarath Babu, Vani Sai Prasanna, Somasundaram Arumugam, Ravichandiran Velyutham, Murali M. Yallapu, Govinda Kapusetti

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

The global incidence of cancer continues to rise, posing a significant public health concern. Although numerous cancer therapies exist, each has limitations and complications. The present study explores alternative cancer treatment approaches, combining hyperthermia and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and amine-functionalized carbon quantum dots (A-CQDs) were synthesized separately and then covalently conjugated to form a single nanosystem for combinational therapy (M-CQDs). The successful conjugation was confirmed using zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and UV-visible spectroscopy. Morphological examination in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) further verified the conjugation of CQDs with MNPs. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) revealed …

Temporal Considerations In Brain Metastases Radiation Therapy: The Intersection Of Chronobiology And Patient Profiles, Nicolas Nelson, Sara Burke, Louis Cappelli, Lauren Matlack, Alexandria Smith, Noelle Francois, Joseph Lombardo, Yash Shah, Kuang-Yi Wen, Ayesha A Shafi, Nicole Simone

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

The circadian system, a vital temporal regulator influencing physiological processes, has implications for cancer development and treatment response. Our study assessed circadian timing’s impact on whole-brain radiotherapy outcomes in brain metastases for personalized cancer therapy insights. The aim of the study was to evaluate circadian influence on radiation treatment timing and its correlation with clinical outcomes and to identify patient populations benefiting from interventions synchronizing circadian rhythms, considering subgroup differences and potential disparities. An IRB-approved retrospective analysis of 237 patients undergoing whole-brain radiotherapy for brain metastases (2017–2021), receiving over 80% of treatments in the morning or afternoon, was performed. Survival …

The Effects Of Curcumin On Erα, P53, And P21 In The Mcf-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line, Samantha E. Pfiffner, Mia Morse, Erin Hallman, Kaylin Whittaker, Aisha Zanib, Sumi Dinda Ph.D.

Medical Student Research Symposium

Curcumin is a golden-yellow flavonoid compound derived from the turmeric plant root that has been used in Chinese and Indian medicine for centuries. Curcumin has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and because of this, has been gaining traction in the field of cancer research. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, and is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, next to lung cancer. Because of the prevalence and mortality of breast cancer, possible therapeutics must be investigated. Due to the beneficial properties of curcumin and pervasiveness of breast cancer, we have …

Flash Radiation Ultra-High Dose Rate Radiation With Potential For Sensitization By Platinum, Abigail A. Jaczkowski, Stephen Brown Ph.D.

Medical Student Research Symposium

External beam radiation therapy, a cornerstone in cancer treatment for 50% of patients, poses challenges due to its toxicity to both cancer and healthy cells. Seeking to mitigate side effects, the emerging FLASH radiation technology employs ultra-high dose rates, promising quicker treatments with reduced impact on surrounding normal tissue. Platinum, recognized as a radiation sensitizer, enhances the effectiveness of radiation therapy by increasing sensitization at higher energy levels through pair-production.

This study explores the hypothesis that Cisplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapy agent, will exhibit a synergistic effect when combined with FLASH radiation. Using A549 cells from non-small cell lung cancer, the …

Integrating Primary Care, Shared Decision Making, And Community Engagement To Facilitate Equitable Access To Multi-Cancer Early Detection Clinical Trials, Cheryl L. Thompson, Adam H. Buchanan, Ronald E. Myers, David S. Weinberg

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Effective implementation of cancer screening programs can reduce disease-specific incidence and mortality. Screening is currently recommended for breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancer. However, initial and repeat adherence to screening tests in accordance with current guidelines is sub-optimal, with the lowest rates observed in historically underserved groups. If used in concert with recommended cancer screening tests, new biospecimen-based multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests could help to identify more cancers that may be amendable to effective treatment. Clinical trials designed to assess the safety and efficacy of MCED tests to assess their potential for reducing cancer mortality are needed and many …

Dropout From Exercise Trials Among Cancer Survivors—An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis From The Polaris Study, Benedikte Western, Andreas Ivarsson, Ingvild Vistad, Ingrid Demmelmaier, Neil K. Aaronson, Gillian Radcliffe, Marc Van Beurden, Martin Bohus, Kerry S. Courneya, Amanda J. Daley, Daniel A. Galvão, Rachel Garrod, Martine M. Goedendorp, Kathleen A. Griffith, Wim H. Van Harten, Sandi C. Hayes, Fernando Herrero-Roman, Anouk E. Hiensch, Melinda L. Irwin, Erica James, Marlou-Floor Kenkhuis, Marie J. Kersten, Hans Knoop, Alejandro Lucia, Anne M. May, Alex Mcconnachie, Willem Van Mechelen, Nanette Mutrie, Robert U. Newton, Frans Nollet, Hester S. Oldenburg, Ron Plotnikoff, Martina E. Schmidt, Katie H. Schmitz, Karl-Heinz Schulz, Camille E. Short, Gabe S. Sonke, Karen Steindorf, Martijn M. Stuiver, Dennis R. Taaffe, Lene Thorsen, Miranda J. Velthuis, Jennifer Wenzel, Kerri M. Winters-Stone, Joachim Wiskemann, Sveinung Berntsen, Laurien M. Buffart

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: The number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of exercise among cancer survivors has increased in recent years; however, participants dropping out of the trials are rarely described. The objective of the present study was to assess which combinations of participant and exercise program characteristics were associated with dropout from the exercise arms of RCTs among cancer survivors. Methods: This study used data collected in the Predicting OptimaL cAncer RehabIlitation and Supportive care (POLARIS) study, an international database of RCTs investigating the effects of exercise among cancer survivors. Thirty-four exercise trials, with a total of 2467 patients …

Machine Learning As A Tool For Early Detection: A Focus On Late-Stage Colorectal Cancer Across Socioeconomic Spectrums, Hadiza Galadima, Rexford Anson-Dwamena, Ashley Johnson, Ghalib Bello, Georges Adunlin, James Blando

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of various machine learning (ML) algorithms in predicting late-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnoses against the backdrop of socio-economic and regional healthcare disparities. Methods: An innovative theoretical framework was developed to integrate individual- and census tract-level social determinants of health (SDOH) with sociodemographic factors. A comparative analysis of the ML models was conducted using key performance metrics such as AUC-ROC to evaluate their predictive accuracy. Spatio-temporal analysis was used to identify disparities in late-stage CRC diagnosis probabilities. Results: Gradient boosting emerged as the superior model, with the top predictors for late-stage CRC diagnosis being anatomic site, …

Exploratory Analysis Of The Spatial Distribution Of Adult Glioma Age-Adjusted County Incidence Rates, Nebraska Medicine, 2009-2019, Kendra Ratnapradipa, Amulya Yellala, Nicole Shonka

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Central nervous system (CNS) cancers including gliomas have low incidence but high mortality. The age-adjusted incidence rate for CNS cancers is higher in Nebraska than nationally. This exploratory study was motivated by glioma patient inquiries about possible clustering of cases within the state to see if more in-depth investigation was warranted.

METHODS: Using electronic health records from Nebraska Medicine, we identified Nebraska adult (age ≥19) glioma patients diagnosed between January 1, 2009 and November 1, 2019. Patient residential addresses were geocoded, mapped, and combined with annual US Census data to compute age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIR) at the county level. …

Quality Of Life Among Cancer Survivors: Comparison Of Multiple Cancers Using Icare2, Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway, Rachael L. Schmidt, Kendra Ratnapradipa, Kristin Dickinson, Abbey Fingeret, Whitney Goldner

Manuscripts: Epidemiology

Background: The number of cancer survivors continues to increase due to dramatic improvements in cancer treatment, accounting for approximately 5% of the entire population. As cancer survivors continue to live longer, it is important to understand their quality of life (QoL) in order to maximize supportive care efforts.

Objectives: In this study, the quality of life (QoL) among patients with different types of cancer was examined. The objectives were to: 1) compare patient-reported outcome measures of QoL using the Short-Form (SF-36) Health Survey scores among patients of different cancer types and 2) identify demographic, oncologic, and clinical factors that are …

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For Cancer Patients With Radiation-Induced Tissue Injuries, Abigail R. Roy, Julia Shannon, Sampaguita French, Daniel Weaver

Non-Thesis Student Work

Cancer, secondary to cardiovascular disease, is the leading cause of death worldwide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). Radiation is a standard cancer therapy, however it can cause fibrosis of blood vessels, the breakdown of soft tissue, and subsequently lead to necrosis. When caring for cancer patients, it is imperative to consider the lasting effects interventions pose on their long-term health. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a healing treatment consisting of administering 100% oxygen to the body in a pressurized chamber; in turn, HBOT facilitates capillary regrowth, blood flow restoration, and increased efficiency of wound healing time. The efficacy …

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy For Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Australia: A Retrospective Real World Cohort Study, Luke S. Mclean, Annette M. Lim, Mathias Bressel, Jenny Lee, Rahul Ladwa, Alexander D. Guminski, Brett Hughes, Samantha Bowyer, Karen Briscoe, Samuel Harris, Craig Kukard, Rob Zielinski, Muhammad Alamgeer, Matteo Carlino, Jeremy Mo, John J. Park, Muhammad A. Khattak, Fiona Day, Danny Rischin

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: To review the outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment of advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) outside clinical trials. Study design: Retrospective observational study; review of patient records in fifteen Australian institutions. Setting, participants: All Australian adults with locally advanced or metastatic CSCC not amenable to curative surgery or radiotherapy treated with ICIs, 5 May 2017 – 23 May 2022, through a cemiplimab compassionate access scheme (Therapeutic Goods Administration Special Access Scheme) or who personally covered the cost of pembrolizumab prior to the start of the access scheme. Main outcome measures: Best overall response rate (ORR) according to …

Cancer Disparities In Southeast Asia: Intersectionality And A Call To Action, Erin Jay G. Feliciano, Frances Dominique V. Ho, Kaisin Yee, Joseph A. Paguio, Michelle Ann B. Eala, Janine Patricia G. Robredo, Kenrick Ng, Jasmine Lim, Khin Thuzar Pyone, Catherine A. Peralta, Jerickson Abbie Flores, J. Seth Yao, Patricia Mae G. Santos, Christian Daniel U. Ang, Gideon Lasco, Jeffrey Shi Kai Chan, Gary Tse, Enrico D. Tangco, T. Peter Kingham, Imjai Chitapanarux, Nirmala Bhoo-Pathy, Gerardo D. Legaspi, Edward Christopher Dee

Einstein Health Papers

No abstract provided.

Mediators And Moderators Of Active Music Engagement To Reduce Traumatic Stress Symptoms And Improve Well-Being In Parents Of Young Children With Cancer., Sheri L. Robb, Kristin Stegenga, Susan M. Perkins, Timothy E. Stump, Karen M. Moody, Amanda K. Henley, Jessica Maclean, Seethal A. Jacob, David Delgado, Paul R. Haut

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: This trial examined the effects of proximal/distal mediators and moderators of an Active Music Engagement (AME) intervention on young child/parent distress, quality of life, and family function outcomes.

METHODS: Child/parent dyads (n = 125) were randomized to AME or Audio-storybooks attention control condition. Each group received 3 sessions with a credentialed music therapist for 3 consecutive days with data collection at baseline, post-intervention (T2), and 30-days later (T3). Potential proximal mediators included within session child and parent engagement. Potential distal mediators included changes in perceived family normalcy, parent self-efficacy, and independent use of play materials. Potential moderators included parent/child …

Improving Oncofertility Discussions And Referrals: Implementation Of A Formal Fertility Preservation Program, Mackenzie Danielle Browning, Melissa Marie Hessock

Graduate Publications and Other Selected Works - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

BACKGROUND: Impaired fertility is a risk of life-saving cancer treatment in adolescents and young adults (AYAs). Despite this known risk and clinical practice guidelines that stress their importance, treatment-associated fertility risk education and preservation referrals are often neglected in this population.

LOCAL PROBLEM: The site of this evidence-based practice improvement project is an outpatient hematology-oncology clinic serving adults with varying cancer diagnoses. The site did not have a standardized approach to ensure treatment-associated fertility risk education and fertility preservation referrals were provided to AYAs with newly diagnosed cancer. The purpose of this project was to implement a formal fertility preservation …

Research Data Management Readiness At Uganda Cancer Institute, Edward Mukiibi, Joyce Bukirwa

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study explored research data management readiness at the Uganda Cancer Institute. Its objectives were to; establish the state of research data and the institutional readiness for research data management practices. The case study applied a survey method using a questionnaire modified from the Data Asset Framework and the Community Capability Model Framework. The respondents were 60 staff members at different professional levels purposively selected. The findings show massive data generated from clinical trials, and routine cancer clinics at the institute. The business processes are mainly manual except for the funded research projects which are hybrid. The existing data sets …

Editorial: Resilience, Quality Of Life And Psychosocial Outcomes Of Cancer Patients And Their Caregivers, Nida Zahid, Nargis Asad, Ashraf El-Metwally

Department of Surgery

No abstract provided.

Transport Barriers Influence The Activation Of Anti-Tumor Immunity: A Systems Biology Analysis, Mohammad R. Nikmaneshi, James W. Baish, Hengbo Zhou, Lance L. Munn

Faculty Journal Articles

Effective anti-cancer immune responses require activation of one or more naïve T cells. If the correct naïve T cell encounters its cognate antigen presented by an antigen presenting cell, then the T cell can activate and proliferate. Here, mathematical modeling is used to explore the possibility that immune activation in lymph nodes is a rate-limiting step in anti-cancer immunity and can affect response rates to immune checkpoint therapy. The model provides a mechanistic framework for optimizing cancer immunotherapy and developing testable solutions to unleash anti-tumor immune responses for more patients with cancer. The results show that antigen production rate and …

Social Determinants Of Health And Lung Cancer Surgery: A Qualitative Study, Dede K. Teteh, Betty Ferrell, Oluwatimilehin Okunowo, Aidea Downie, Loretta Erhunmwunsee, Susanne B. Montgomery, Dan J. Raz, Rick Kittles, Jae Y. Kim, Virginia Sun

Health Sciences and Kinesiology Faculty Articles

Introduction: Social determinants of health (SDOH) are non-clinical factors that may affect the outcomes of cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to describe the influence of SDOH factors on quality of life (QOL)-related outcomes for lung cancer surgery patients.

Methods: Thirteen patients enrolled in a randomized trial of a dyadic self-management intervention were invited and agreed to participate in semi-structured key informant interviews at study completion (3 months post-discharge). A conventional content analysis approach was used to identify codes and themes that were derived from the interviews. Independent investigators coded the qualitative data, which were subsequently …

Ethnobotanical Survey Of Medicinal Plants Used In The Management Of Cancer In Uganda, John Baptist Asiimwe, Prakash B. Nagendrappa, Esther C. Atukunda, Ivan Kahwa, Lina S. Mathew Alonga, Clement O. Ajayi, Casim U. Tolo, Patrick E. Ogwang, Maud M. Kamatenesi

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Introduction: Patients with cancer in Africa embrace the use of herbal medicine more than anywhere else in the world. This study identified and documented medicinal plant species used to manage cancer in ten (10) districts of Uganda.

Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted between October 2021 and January 2022. In total, 18 (out of 55) traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) having more than 10 years of experience in managing patients with cancer were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire.

Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The Relative frequency of citation (RFC) and Family importance value (FIV) indices were also computed. …

Significance Of Targeting Rna Polymerase I In Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma, Muhammad A. Bangash, Aun A. Bangash, Haider Ahsan, Sahir Alvi, Mudassier Ahmad, Alejandro Rincon, Samuel Owusu-Mireku, Bilal Hafeez

MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities Clinical Years

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC) is a much-overlooked cancer with a mortality rate that has increased throughout recent years, as stated by the American Cancer Society [1]. In the United States alone, there are an estimated 8,000 adults being diagnosed with IHCC every year, with a five-year survival rate of 9% [2]. Chemotherapy options for the treatment of IHCC include systemic chemotherapy such as gemcitabine, capecitabine, and oxaliplatin. These medications carry a wide array of adverse factors that may warrant discontinuation due to the detriment to the well-being of the patient. Additionally, a broad field of therapy that may also be used, …

Synthesis And Antitumor Activity Of Brominated-Ormeloxifene (Br-Orm) Against Cervical Cancer, Mohammed Sikander, Shabnam Malik, John Apraku, Sonam Kumari, Parvez Khan, Hassan Mandil, Sheema Khan, Murali M. Yallapu, Meena Jaggi, Subhash C. Chuahan

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Aberrant regulation of β-catenin signaling is strongly linked with cancer proliferation, invasion, migration, and metastasis, thus, small molecules that can inhibit this pathway might have great clinical significance. Our molecular modeling studies suggest that ormeloxifene (ORM), a triphenylethylene molecule that docks with β-catenin, and its brominated analogue (Br-ORM) bind more effectively with relatively less energy (−7.6 kcal/mol) to the active site of β-catenin as compared to parent ORM. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a Br-ORM by NMR and FTIR, as well as its anticancer activity in cervical cancer models. Br-ORM treatment effectively inhibited tumorigenic features (cell proliferation …

The Impact Of Modern Dietary Practices On Cancer Risk And Progression: A Systematic Review, Stephanie Nagy, Stephanie N. Petrosky, Michelle Demory Beckler, Marc M. Kesselman

HPD Articles

Cancer is a leading cause of mortality around the world, despite continued advancements in the management of cancer. Recent research efforts have shifted to evaluating the role that modifiable risk factors play in cancer risk and development, as diet and nutrition have been found to play a significant role in the onset and progression of cancer. As a result, there has been an increasing focus on the impact of dietary modifications on preventing the onset, progression, and reoccurrence of cancer. In this systematic review, data were collected on three common diets, the Mediterranean diet (MD), ketogenic diet (KD), and plant-based …

Global Impact Of Proteoglycan Science On Human Diseases, Christopher Xie, Liliana Schaefer, Renato V. Iozzo

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

In this comprehensive review, we will dissect the impact of research on proteoglycans focusing on recent developments involved in their synthesis, degradation, and interactions, while critically assessing their usefulness in various biological processes. The emerging roles of proteoglycans in global infections, specifically the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and their rising functions in regenerative medicine and biomaterial science have significantly affected our current view of proteoglycans and related compounds. The roles of proteoglycans in cancer biology and their potential use as a next-generation protein-based adjuvant therapy to combat cancer is also emerging as a constructive and potentially beneficial therapeutic strategy. We will discuss …

Barriers And Facilitators Of Family Rules And Routines During Pediatric Cancer Treatment., Carolyn R. Bates, Isabella K. Pallotto, Rachel Moore, Lynne Covitz, Meredith Dreyer

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: Pediatric nurses work closely with families of children with new cancer diagnoses and can provide essential supports to promote coping and adjustment. This cross-sectional qualitative study aimed to gather caregiver perspectives on barriers and facilitators to adaptive family functioning during the early phases of cancer treatment, with a focus on family rules and routines.

METHODS: Caregivers (N = 44) of a child diagnosed with cancer and receiving active treatment completed a semi-structured interview about their engagement in family rules and routines. Time since diagnosis was abstracted from the medical record. A multi-pass inductive coding strategy was utilized to extract …

Unlocking The Potential Of Kinase Targets In Cancer: Insights From Canceromicsnet, An Ai-Driven Approach To Drug Response Prediction In Cancer, Manali Singha, Limeng Pu, Gopal Srivastava, Xialong Ni, Brent A. Stanfield, Ifeanyi K. Uche, Paul J.F. Rider, Konstantin G. Kousoulas, J. Ramanujam, Michal Brylinski

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Deregulated protein kinases are crucial in promoting cancer cell proliferation and driving malignant cell signaling. Although these kinases are essential targets for cancer therapy due to their involvement in cell development and proliferation, only a small part of the human kinome has been targeted by drugs. A comprehensive scoring system is needed to evaluate and prioritize clinically relevant kinases. We recently developed CancerOmicsNet, an artificial intelligence model employing graph-based algorithms to predict the cancer cell response to treatment with kinase inhibitors. The performance of this approach has been evaluated in large-scale benchmarking calculations, followed by the experimental validation of selected …

Leser-Trélat Sign As A Marker For Underlying Pancreatic Cancer, Kalpit Modi, Richard Chen, Layla Abubshait

Einstein Health Papers

Case Presentation: Early diagnosis and rapid treatment of cancer is essential for good clinical outcomes for patients. In this case, an 85-year-old man presented with failure to thrive and was noted to have rapid-onset, multiple seborrheic keratoses (Leser-Trélat sign) on his chest and back. He was ultimately diagnosed with pancreatic cancer using computed tomography.

Discussion: Leser-Trélat sign is a rare cutaneous marker for underlying malignancy. Identification of this sign can help guide diagnostic imaging and lab work to identify an occult internal malignancy, resulting in more rapid diagnosis, earlier treatment, and potentially better clinical outcomes.

Cancer Cell-Specific Cgas/Sting Signaling Pathway In The Era Of Advancing Cancer Cell Biology, Vijay Kumar, Caitlin Bauer, John H. Stewart

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) are critical to recognizing endogenous and exogenous threats to mount a protective proinflammatory innate immune response. PRRs may be located on the outer cell membrane, cytosol, and nucleus. The cGAS/STING signaling pathway is a cytosolic PRR system. Notably, cGAS is also present in the nucleus. The cGAS-mediated recognition of cytosolic dsDNA and its cleavage into cGAMP activates STING. Furthermore, STING activation through its downstream signaling triggers different interferon-stimulating genes (ISGs), initiating the release of type 1 interferons (IFNs) and NF-κB-mediated release of proinflammatory cytokines and molecules. Activating cGAS/STING generates type 1 IFN, which may prevent cellular transformation …

The Meaning Of Caring For Patients With Cancer Among Traditional Medicine Practitioners In Uganda: A Grounded Theory Approach, John Baptist Asiimwe, Prakash B. Nagendrappa, Esther C. Atukunda, Grace Nambozi, Casim U. Tolo, Martin Ogwang, Mauda M. Kamatenesi

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) are a critical part of healthcare systems in many sub-Saharan African countries and play vital roles in caring for patients with cancer. Despite some progress in describing TMPs’ caring experiences in abstract terms, literature about practice models in Africa remains limited. This study aimed to develop a substantive theory to clarify the care provided by TMPs to patients with cancer in Uganda. This study adhered to the principal features of the modified Straussian grounded theory design. Participants were 18 TMPs caring for patients with cancer from 10 districts in Uganda, selected by purposive and theoretical sampling …

African American Males Have More Distress During Cancer Treatment Than White Males, Stephanie Kjelstrom, Charis Wynn, Sharon Larson

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

African American (AA) males have a higher incidence and mortality rate for some cancers than other races and sexes, which could be associated with distress during treatment, medical mistrust, and health disparities. We hypothesize distress in AA males during treatment is higher than in other races and sexes. We assessed effect modification of moderate to severe (≥ 4) distress scores during cancer treatment by race and sex, age, and socioeconomic status (SES). National Comprehensive Cancer Network's distress thermometer (scale 0-10) and characteristics for 770 cancer patients were collected from a Philadelphia hospital. Variables included age, sex, race, smoking status, marital …

Targeting Cgas/Sting Signaling-Mediated Myeloid Immune Cell Dysfunction In Time, Vijay Kumar, Caitlin Bauer, John H. Stewart

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Myeloid immune cells (MICs) are potent innate immune cells serving as first responders to invading pathogens and internal changes to cellular homeostasis. Cancer is a stage of altered cellular homeostasis that can originate in response to different pathogens, chemical carcinogens, and internal genetic/epigenetic changes. MICs express several pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) on their membranes, cytosol, and organelles, recognizing systemic, tissue, and organ-specific altered homeostasis. cGAS/STING signaling is a cytosolic PRR system for identifying cytosolic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in a sequence-independent but size-dependent manner. The longer the cytosolic dsDNA size, the stronger the cGAS/STING signaling activation with increased type 1 interferon …