Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Role Of Ifitm3 In The Immune Response Of Brca-Deficient High Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma, Han Cun

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Background: Prior studies showed that BRCA-deficient high grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) had increased tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) compared to BRCA-wildtype (WT). To better understand the underlying immune mechanism in these tumors, a preliminary transcriptome analysis was performed on a set of microdissected HGSOC tumor specimens with BRCA1-mutation, BRCA2-mutation, or WT. This demonstrated an upregulation of IFITM3, an essential gene in modulating immune function. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that BRCA-deficient HGSOC have increased DNA damage leading to upregulation of IFITM3 and subsequent increase in antigen presentation and T-cell activation.

Methods: Following IRB approval, preliminary transcriptome analysis was performed …

Nipt Results Indicative Of Maternal Neoplasms: Genetic Counselors' Preferences And Attitudes, Meagan E. Giles

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Performing non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) on a pregnant woman with a chromosomally abnormal neoplasm may incidentally lead to the diagnosis of cancer due to the coexistence of circulating tumor and placental DNA. Published information regarding NIPT’s accuracy for neoplasm screening is limited, and guidance for patient management is currently lacking. This challenges clinicians’ ability to counsel patients regarding the implications of these results, which often is the responsibility of a genetic counselor. Over three hundred board-eligible/certified genetic counselors were surveyed regarding their awareness, preferences, and attitudes towards NIPT’s ability to indicate maternal neoplasms. Despite 95% of this cohort being aware …

Cancer Diagnosis During Pregnancy: Evaluating The Challenges Faced By Oncologists, Shannon Kaye Mulligan

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Cancer during pregnancy is occurring more often than in the past, and it is estimated that cancer is diagnosed in approximately 1/1000 pregnancies. A consensus exists that management of these patients should prioritize survival of the mother and minimize teratogenic effects to the fetus, and utilize a multidisciplinary approach, involving medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, and a maternal fetal medicine specialist. In spite of this consensus, there is not a standardized approach for treating cancer in women diagnosed during pregnancy. Due to the relative infrequency of this situation in the oncologic setting, the aims of this study were …