Life Sciences Commons^™

Exploring The Ecological Relevance Of Biotic And Abiotic Stressors In Structuring Legume Microbial Communities, Cian Dotson

Dissertations

Heavy metal hyperaccumulation is prevalent throughout plant evolution, particularly in the legume family (Fabaceae), and acts as a presumed chemical defense against herbivory. However, heavy metal hyperaccumulation can have non-target impacts on other biological interactors including plant-microbe interactions. This information is important given the interest in utilizing hyperaccumulating plants for phytoremediation of anthropogenically contaminated soils. Here we employ a greenhouse experiment manipulating selenium level along with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing methods to explore the effect of selenium on the prokaryotic microbiome of the selenium hyperaccumulator Astragalus crotalariae and non-accumulator Astragalus lentiginosus var. borreganus. Regardless of hyperaccumulator status, both plant …

Deciphering The Source Of Escherichia Coli In Urinary Tract Infections: A Comparative Metagenomic Analysis Of The Female Urogenital Microbiome, Alexis Annabel Avalos

Dissertations

In 2019, there was a 140.19% increase in deaths due to urinary tract infections (UTIs) compared to 1990, worldwide. One of the common uropathogens known to associate with UTIs in females is Escherichia coli. The prevailing belief is that E. coli in the bladder originates in the rectum, passing its way from the perineal, to the vagina, and finally into the bladder. Known as the Fecal-Perineal-Urethral (FPU) hypothesis, this “origin story” has been supported by several studies that have relied on genotyping or serotyping isolates collected from the bladder and rectum. Most notably, culturing isolates from samples has been central …

Selecting For Lysis In A Temperate Phage Population, Haley Atkins

Dissertations

The ongoing evolutionary arms race between bacteria and bacteriophages (phages) is a prime example of Red Queen hypothesis, where continuous adaptation drives survival. This study focuses on Escherichia coli-infecting temperate phages, which dominate natural environments and contribute to bacterial resistance mechanisms. Despite their prevalence, temperate phages are less suited for phage therapy due to their lysogenic life cycle, where they integrate into bacterial genomes instead of lysing the host. In contrast, obligately lytic phages, which directly lyse bacterial cells, are ideal for therapeutic use but occur less frequently in nature. This research aims to select for lytic behavior in temperate …

Refining Cross-Population Polygenic Risk Scores Across Diverse Populations, Mansi Patel

Dissertations

Large biobanks containing whole genome sequences connected to the deidentified electronic health records of hundreds of thousands of individuals are increasingly available to researchers. This has facilitated the development of polygenic risk scores (PRS), which use machine learning to predict risk of disease and other phenotypes from millions of genetic variants. Due to Eurocentricity of available genetic data, PRS have primarily been trained in populations of European descent. Differences in allele frequencies, effect sizes, and linkage disequilibrium patterns between populations can limit the transferability of PRS across different populations. Given that most data are from European genetic ancestry populations, we …

The Impact Of Lactobacillus Supplementation On Gut Microbiome Composition And Phage Induction In Mice, Kimia Boreiri

Dissertations

The mammalian gastrointestinal (GI) tract harbors a dense and dynamic community of microbes known as the gut microbiota, which plays vital roles in digestion, immunity, and overall health. Among these, probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus strains have garnered attention for their ability to influence microbial community structure and host physiology. This study investigated the effects of five Lactobacillus strains, Lactobacillus casei R1A482, Lactobacillus casei O3, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus gasseri ATCC 33323, and Lactobacillus paragasseri UMB1065, on the gut microbiome of Swiss Webster mice over a six-week feeding period. To reduce stress, mice were fed Lactobacillus strains using gelatin pellets …

Decoding The Origins Of Infection: A Machine Learning Framework, Nirupama G. Shanbhag

Dissertations

Many infections can be attributed to a specific microorganism. For example, while there can be many causes of urinary tract infections (UTIs), such as the bacterial species Klebsiella pneumoniae or Enterococcus sp., the most widespread cause for UTIs is uropathogenic Escherichia coli. Generally, diseases or infections that are the result of a single pathogenic organism are more easily understood. Other diseases, such as irritable bowel disease (IBD), cannot be attributed to one member in the community; rather, it is a result of dysbiosis of the microbial community (microbiota) of the gastrointestinal tract, a combination of an overgrowth of problematic members …

Role Of Coronavirus Envelope Protein On Infectivity, Garrett E. Zaagman

Dissertations

Coronaviruses infect a wide range of hosts and have caused recent human pandemics. While much has been learned, gaps remain in understanding viral assembly and egress, particularly the role of the envelope (E) protein in specific infectivity. To study this, recombinant MHV viruses were created with E gene deletions and HiBiT-tagged spike (S) proteins to monitor virion release. In mouse cells, MHV∆E S-HiBiT secreted less spike and fewer infectious particles, indicating reduced specific infectivity. Comparisons between human HeLa-CEACAM and mouse DBT cells showed species-specific support for virus production. TMED10, a host membrane protein, was tested as a potential E-interacting partner …

Investigating Whether Txnrd2 Is A Therapeutic Target Against Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using African American-Derived Models, Keacha Chang

Dissertations

Despite similar breast cancer incidence rates, African American (AA) women experience a 40% higher mortality rate compared to Caucasian American (CA) women. This disparity is multifactorial and particularly pronounced in the Chicago area. AA women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), often at a younger age and with more aggressive disease. TNBC is a heterogeneous subtype lacking targeted therapies and is associated with the poorest prognosis among breast cancer types. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies for TNBC, especially those tailored to AA patients. The thioredoxin pathway is essential for …

Evaluation Of Bacteriophage Infection Of Enterococcus Faecalis In A Monolayer, Alexandria Osborn

Dissertations

Enterococcus faecalis is one of the first colonizers of the human gastrointestinal tract, and it plays a role in the intestinal immune development at the very early stages of life. However, it is also an opportunistic pathogen, capable of translocating across the mucosal barrier to cause systemic infections. E. faecalis is also linked to infections including endocarditis, recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs), bacteremia, wound infections, meningitis, root canal infections, intra-abdominal and pelvic infections, and septicemia. Persistent enterococcal opportunistic infections have been associated with the production of virulence factors and sharing of antibiotic resistance genes, thus making E. faecalis difficult to …

Effects Of Nitrogen, Phosphorus And The Fungicide Azoxystrobin Additions On Larval And Post-Metamorphic Fitness Of American Toads (Anaxyrus Americanus), Michael Vosburgh

Dissertations

Since European settlement, vast areas of U.S. land have been modified by humans. In the Midwest, an estimated 99% of native grasslands have been replaced by agriculture and urban development. Such alternations have replaced native habitat, redefined hydrology and introduced a wide array of chemicals into aquatic ecosystems. Modern agricultural practices utilize fertilizers and pesticides to maximize crop production. These chemicals frequently runoff into surrounding waters, potentially effecting aquatic organisms. One group of organism thought to be susceptible to agricultural contaminants are amphibians. Amphibians are vulnerable to pollution due, in part, to their permeable skin and biphasic life history. Global …

Urban Coyotes As A Source Of Conflict With Humans: An Evaluation Of Common Management Practices, Paul D. Curtis, David L. Bergman, Angeline Barker, Daniel Bogan, Mary Ann Bonnell, Pierre Canac-Marquis, David Drake, Dave Kay, Brian F. Wakeling, H. Bryant White

Human–Wildlife Interactions Monographs

Wildlife often serves as a catalyst for conflict among stakeholders. Management actions that are intended to address sources of disagreement may initiate additional conflict. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Human–Wildlife Conflict Working Group initiated an effort to identify management actions commonly used to address unwanted coyote (Canis latrans) interactions within urban environments and identify the benefits and challenges associated with each action. Challenges with coyotes in urban environments include aggressive behavior toward humans and pets, attacks, disease exposure, and domestic livestock damage. Although elimination of all attractants would prove preventative in most instances, in practice this …

Cultivating Community-University Partnerships Within The Chicago Region Food System, Hanan Abdillahi, Vivian Cossey, Tania Schusler, Kevin Erickson, Karen Schauwecker, Sarah Ku, Ray Dybzinski

School of Environmental Sustainability: Faculty Publications and Other Works

We interviewed 22 organizations in the Chicago Regional Food System to gain insights on their current initiatives, assets, challenges, future visions, and perceived roles of universities in advancing their work. We analyzed themes to report on strong consensus or varied perspectives related to this work. This report aims to advise Loyola’s School of Environmental Sustainability's future work and collaboration activities with Chicago Food System organizations.

Suas Agricultural Aerial Application Operational Field Test, David Thirtyacre, Joseph Cerreta, Scott S. Burgess

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

One of the most promising uses of aerial applications by a sUAS is on small farms where traditional crewed aerial applicators were not practical due to the limited size of the operations. This controlled field test aimed to assess the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of using a sUAS spreading system compared to the traditional manual application of weed killer and fertilizer on cranberry bogs in Western Washington that were less than 10 acres. The aerial application took place over two separate days as scheduled by the farmer for maximum product efficiency. A total of sixty-three flights were necessary to apply the …

Investigation Of Multiple Factors Influencing The Vector-Borne Transmission Of Salmonella Typhimurium Via Blattella Germanica, Landen Sean Van Hulzen

Dissertations and Theses

The German cockroach (Blattella germanica) is a common urban pest that lives ubiquitously in human structures around the world. German cockroaches are a severe public health threat as they are known carriers and vectors of human pathogens including Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Shigella spp, and more. German cockroach infestations have been associated with Salmonellosis outbreaks. While mechanical transmission by the German cockroach vector is well known, new research suggests that more nuanced biological transmission has a role in maintaining and transmitting Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). Despite this recent finding, many biological variables influencing vector-borne transmission of S. Typhimurium …

Convergence In Cancer: Integrative Multi-Modal Modeling For Pan-Cancer Drug Response Prediction, Jessica Zylla

Dissertations and Theses

Heterogeneity and rarity can make cancer difficult to study and treat. Cancer's heterogeneity, evident in tumor locations, tumor cell types, subtypes, and microbiota within the tumor microenvironment, complicates diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Research into the tumor microenvironment and its microbiota is an evolving area of oncology that may advance cancer drug-patient response. Cancer-omics signatures are crucial to drug response, yet there is no tool that physicians use as a gold standard. Research indicates that microbial presence can alter drug metabolism and immune response, affecting cancer-drug efficacy on a patient-specific basis. This work highlights the need for training readiness in transdisciplinary …

Food Finding Ability Does Not Predict Annual Survival In Winter Resident Birds, Aidan Hand

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Small non-migratory birds in temperate locations face many challenges to survive the winter. They must be able to find enough food, which is in decreased supply, to fuel the energetic demands of staying warm. Prior work has demonstrated that birds show individual variation in their foraging behaviors that could contribute to the discovery of new foraging patches, such as novel environment exploration. A better ability to discover new food sources could increase a bird’s chance of surviving the winter by increasing its access to new food patches. To test this hypothesis, we used radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled bird feeders to …

Pregnant Adults' Interest In Physical And Mental Health Behavior Change Interventions Using Mobile Technology, Natalie M. Yarish, Cassidy M. Sandoval, Alicia Moulder, Meredith I. Turner, Danielle Symons Downs, Kristin E. Heron

Psychology Faculty Publications

Improving the health and well-being of pregnant adults is an important public health priority in the USA, and mobile health (mHealth) interventions may provide a scalable strategy to disseminate behavior change programs to pregnant adults. This study assessed pregnant people’s use of mobile technology, interest in making health behavior changes during and after pregnancy, and their willingness to use mHealth interventions. Participants were 133 pregnant adults (M_age = 27.86; 81% White) living across the USA recruited from social media to complete an online survey. Measures assessed mobile technology use and beliefs about improving mental/physical health in pregnancy and postpartum …

Impact Of Geography On Institutions In Agricultural And Nomadic Societies, Haiwen Zhou

Economics Faculty Publications

How geography affects the choice of institutions is studied in a theoretical model. In this model, nations are located around a circle. Rulers compete through choosing tax rates, the level of military spending, and the degree of formality of institutions. Geographic condition is captured by population density. It is shown that societies with higher population densities choose lower tax rates, establish more formal institutions, and give government officials lower levels of autonomies than those with lower population densities do. A higher level of external threats induces a ruler to choose a higher level of autonomy for officials. The model is …

Restored Wetlands Show Rapid Vegetation Recovery And Substantial Surface-Water Expansion, Thilina D. Surasinghe, Yin-Hsuen Chen, Kunwar K. Singh

Center for Geospatial Science, Education & Analytics Faculty Publications

Ecological restoration is essential for improving the ecological integrity of degraded ecosystems to enhance ecosystem services and biodiversity. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of wetland restoration on retired cranberry farms by analyzing vegetation recovery and surface-water dynamics using the enhanced vegetation index (EVI) and normalized difference water index (NDWI) derived from Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. To quantify temporal dynamics of both vegetation recovery and surface-water cover, we identified the spectral distinctions among restored wetland plant communities. Our results indicated the emergence of distinct plant communities upon restoration. Restored wetlands in general showed significant and progressive vegetation recovery and expanding …

Theology Of Creation In The Bulgarian Theology Of The 20th Century, Svetoslav Ribolov

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Theology of Creation in 20th-century Bulgaria emerged within the broader debate about the role of religious education in state schools and the tension between the prevailing influence of evolutionary theory and a scientific approach to the Orthodox Church’s traditional spiritual heritage. Before World War 2, the primary social and intellectual motivation behind the Theology of Creation in Bulgaria was rooted in an apologetic struggle against secular ideas, which were embraced by a significant portion of Bulgarian society at the time. In the second half of the 20th century, however, this discourse gradually evolved to incorporate more denominationally oriented theological perspectives, …

Understanding How Hearing Works, Cecilia Zoutewelle

A. The Science of Sound

A 7-page introductory overview of the anatomical and neurological processes of hearing, with illustrations and bullet-point summaries. 

Ganglioside Gd2 Contributes To A Stem-Like Phenotype In Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma, Antonella Mannini, Mirella Pastore, Alessia Giachi, Margherita Correnti, Elena Spínola Lasso, Tiziano Lottini, Benedetta Piombanti, Ignazia Tusa, Elisabetta Rovida, Cédric Coulouarn, Jesper B Andersen, Monika Lewinska, Claudia Campani, V Lokesh Battula, Bin Yuan, Massimo Aureli, Emma V Carsana, Caterina Peraldo Neia, Paola Ostano, Alessia Tani, Daniele Nosi, Anna Vanni, Laura Maggi, Luca Di Tommaso, Giuseppina Comito, Stefania Madiai, Annarosa Arcangeli, Fabio Marra, Chiara Raggi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND & AIMS: GD2, a member of the ganglioside (GS) family (sialic acid-containing glycosphingolipids), is a potential biomarker of cancer stem cells (CSC) in several tumours. However, the possible role of GD2 and its biosynthetic enzyme, GD3 synthase (GD3S), in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) has not been explored.

METHODS: The stem-like subset of two iCCA cell lines was enriched by sphere culture (SPH) and compared to monolayer parental cells (MON). GS profiles were evaluated by chromatography, after feeding with radioactive sphingosine. Membrane GD2 expression was evaluated by FACS, and the expression of enzymes of GS biosynthesis was analysed by RT-qPCR. The …

Optimal Timing Of Organs-At-Risk-Sparing Adaptive Radiation Therapy For Head-And-Neck Cancer Under Re-Planning Resource Constraints, Fatemeh Nosrat, Cem Dede, Lucas B Mccullum, Raul Garcia, Abdallah S R Mohamed, Jacob G Scott, James E Bates, Brigid A Mcdonald, Kareem A Wahid, Mohamed A Naser, Renjie He, Aysenur Karagoz, Amy C Moreno, Lisanne V Van Dijk, Kristy K Brock, Jolien Heukelom, Seyedmohammadhossein Hosseinian, Mehdi Hemmati, Andrew J Schaefer, Clifton D Fuller

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background and purpose: Prior work on adaptive organ-at-risk (OAR)-sparing radiation therapy has typically reported outcomes based on fixed-number or fixed-interval re-planning, which represent one-size-fits-all approaches and do not account for the variable progression of individual patients' toxicities. The purpose of this study was to determine the personalized optimal timing of re-planning in adaptive OAR-sparing radiation therapy, considering limited re-planning resources, for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).

Materials and methods: A novel Markov decision process (MDP) model was developed to determine optimal timing of re-planning based on the patient's expected toxicity, characterized by normal tissue complication probability (NTCP), for …

Defining Spine Cancer Pain Syndromes: A Systematic Review And Proposed Terminology, Markian Pahuta, Ilya Laufer, Sheng-Fu Larry Lo, Stefano Boriani, Charles Fisher, Nicolas Dea, Michael H Weber, Dean Chou, Arjun Sahgal, Laurence Rhines, Jeremy Reynolds, Aron Lazary, Alessandro Gasbarrinni, Jorrit-Jan Verlaan, Ziya Gokaslan, Chetan Bettegowda, Mohamed Sarraj, Ori Barzilai, Ao Spine Knowledge Forum Tumor

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: Formalized terminology for pain experienced by spine cancer patients is lacking. The common descriptors of spine cancer pain as mechanical or non-mechanical is not exhaustive. Misdiagnosed spinal pain may lead to ineffective treatment recommendations for cancer patients.

METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of pain terminology that may be relevant to spinal oncology patients. We provide a comprehensive and unbiased summary of the existing evidence, not limited to the spine surgery literature, and subsequently consolidate these data into a practical, clinically relevant nomenclature for spine oncologists.

RESULTS: Our literature search identified 3515 unique citations. Through …

The Influence Of The Microbiome On Radiotherapy And Dna Damage Responses, Aadil Sheikh, Michael A Curran

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers in terms of diagnosis and mortality. Radiotherapy (RT) remains a mainstay of CRC therapy. As RT relies on DNA damage to promote tumor cell death, the activity of cellular DNA damage repair pathways can modulate cancer sensitivity to therapy. The gut microbiome has been shown to influence intestinal health and is independently associated with CRC development, treatment responses and outcomes. The microbiome can also modulate responses to CRC RT through various mechanisms such as community structure, toxins and metabolites. In this review we explore the use of RT in the …

Lp-118 Is A Novel B-Cell Lymphoma 2 / Extra-Large Inhibitor That Demonstrates Efficacy In Models Of Venetoclaxresistant Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Janani Ravikrishnan, Daisy Y Diaz-Rohena, Elizabeth Muhowski, Xiaokui Mo, Tzung-Huei Lai, Shrilekha Misra, Charmelle D Williams, John Sanchez, Andrew Mitchell, Suresh Satpati, Elizabeth Perry, Tierney Kaufman, Chaomei Liu, Arletta Lozanski, Gerard Lozanski, Kerrya Rogers, Adam S Kittai, Seema A Bhat, Mary C Collins, Matthew S Davids, Nitin Jain, William G Wierda, Rosa Lapalombella, John C Byrd, Fenlai Tan, Yi Chen, Yu Chen, Yue Shen, Stephen P Anthony, Jennifer A Woyach, Deepa Sampath

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) respond well to initial treatment with the B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) inhibitor venetoclax. Upon relapse, they often retain sensitivity to BCL2 targeting, but durability of response remains a concern. We hypothesize that targeting both BCL2 and B-cell lymphoma-extra large (BCLXL) will be a successful strategy to treat CLL, including for patients who relapse on venetoclax. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a pre-clinical investigation of LP-118, a highly potent inhibitor of BCL2 with moderate BCLXL inhibition to minimize platelet toxicity. This study demonstrated that LP-118 induces efficient BAK activation, cytochrome C release, and apoptosis …

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Management And Research In 2025, Hagop M Kantarjian, Courtney D Dinardo, Tapan M Kadia, Naval G Daver, Jessica K Altman, Eytan M Stein, Elias Jabbour, Charles A Schiffer, Amy Lang, Farhad Ravandi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The first 5 decades of research in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were dominated by the cytarabine plus anthracyclines backbone, with advances in strategies including allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, high-dose cytarabine, supportive care measures, and targeted therapies for the subset of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Since 2017, a turning point in AML research, 12 agents have received regulatory approval for AML in the United States: venetoclax (BCL2 inhibitor); gemtuzumab ozogamicin (CD33 antibody-drug conjugate); midostaurin, gilteritinib, and quizartinib (fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 inhibitors); ivosidenib, olutasidenib, and enasidenib (isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 inhibitors); oral azacitidine (a partially absorbable formulation); CPX351 …

Management Of Hemolytic Transfusion Reactions In A Patient With Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia And Rare Antibodies: A Case Report, Grace S Park, Himachandana Atluri, Courtney D Dinardo, Bryan Guillroy, Jean Horak, Effrosyni Apostolidou, Maryam Buni, Guillermo Montalban Bravo, Naveen Pemmaraju

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction (DHTR) poses a significant challenge in patients receiving blood transfusions. This case report highlights the complexities of managing DHTR in a newly diagnosed chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) patient with clinically significant JKa and little c antibodies during induction chemotherapy. A 46-year-old woman with CMML-2 who presented for induction chemotherapy was found to have hemolytic anemia. Due to presence of JKa and little c antibodies, she required intensive monitoring and supportive care measures. The coexistence of JKa and little c antibodies complicates transfusion management and chemotherapy tolerance in CMML patients.

Phase 1 Trial Of Hypofractionated Stereotactic Re-Irradiation In Combination With Nivolumab, Ipilimumab, And Bevacizumab For Recurrent High-Grade Gliomas, Solmaz Sahebjam, Raju R Raval, Peter A Forsyth, Heiko Enderling, Nam D Tran, John A Arrington, Robert Macaulay, Haley K Perlow, Joshua D Palmer, Jayeeta Ghose, Prajwal Rajappa, Pierre Giglio, Zihai Li, Arnold B Etame, Sepideh Mokhtari, Ruben J Cruz-Chamorro, Menal Bhandari, Ram Thapa, Timothy J Robinson, Dung-Tsa Chen, Hsiang-Hsuan Michael Yu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Our previous clinical investigation suggested that hypofractionated stereotactic re-irradiation (HFSRT) and PD-1 blockade may act synergistically to enhance the immune response against glioma. This subsequent trial investigated the dual blockade of CTLA4 and PD-1 in combination with HFSRT and bevacizumab.

Methods: This phase I study enrolled eligible patients with bevacizumab-naïve recurrent glioblastoma or anaplastic astrocytoma. Participants received nivolumab, ipilimumab, and bevacizumab concurrently with HFSRT (3000 cGy in 5 fractions). Subsequently, nivolumab, ipilimumab, and bevacizumab were administered for a total of 4 cycles followed by nivolumab and bevacizumab until progression. The primary end point of this study was the safety …

Exercise And Nutrition To Improve Cancer Treatment-Related Outcomes (Enicto), Kathryn H Schmitz, Justin C Brown, Melinda L Irwin, Kim Robien, Jessica M Scott, Nathan A Berger, Bette Caan, Andrea Cercek, Tracy E Crane, Scott R Evans, Jennifer A Ligibel, Jeffrey A Meyerhardt, Tanya Agurs-Collins, Karen Basen-Engquist, Jennifer W Bea, Sheng F Cai, Brenda Cartmel, Vernon M Chinchilli, Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, Christina M Dieli-Conwright, Loretta Dipietro, Shawna E Doerksen, Sharon L Edelstein, Joanne Elena, William Evans, Leah M Ferrucci, Julia Foldi, Sarah Freylersythe, Helena Furberg, Lee W Jones, Ross Levine, Chaya S Moskowitz, Cynthia Owusu, Frank Penedo, Borsika A Rabin, Elena Ratner, Margaret Rosenzweig, Talya Salz, Tara Sanft, Matthew Schlumbrecht, Guillaume Spielmann, Cynthia A Thomson, Ashley H Tjaden, Martin R Weiser, Shengping Yang, Anthony F Yu, Frank M Perna, Enicto Consortium

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Chemotherapy treatment-related side effects are common and increase the risk of suboptimal outcomes. Exercise interventions during cancer treatment improve self-reported physical functioning, fatigue, anxiety, and depression, but it is unclear whether these interventions improve important clinical outcomes, such as chemotherapy relative dose intensity. The National Cancer Institute funded the Exercise and Nutrition to Improve Cancer Treatment-Related Outcomes (ENICTO) Consortium to address this knowledge gap. This article describes the mechanisms hypothesized to underpin intervention effects on clinically relevant treatment outcomes, briefly outlines each project's distinct research aims, summarizes the scope and organizational structure of ENICTO, and provides an overview of the …