Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Evaluating The Needs Of Cancer Survivors Through Focus Groups And Surveillance Data, Maria George Mph, Taylor Seaton Ms, Diana Haggerty M.S., Debbie Webster Bsn, Rn, Lmsw

Michigan Journal of Public Health

Introduction

As cancer prevention and treatment advances, cancer survival rates continue to increase. The growing population of cancer survivors have unique needs that must be addressed to improve quality of life throughout the cancer-care continuum.

Methods

Using data compiled from the Michigan cancer registry, the Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (MiBRFS), and focus groups, several areas of need amongst cancer survivors were identified. The cancer registry provides information on incidence and survival rates to help understand the burden of cancer; this Quantitative data from the Michigan cancer registry and MiBRFS can supplement the qualitative data gained from the focus groups. …

Korean Immigrant Women's Perceptions Of Cervical Cancer Screening In Hawaii, Eurina Yujin Cha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Minority immigrant women are more likely to be diagnosed with and suffer from cervical cancer compared to other minority women in the United States. The purpose of this qualitative ethnographic study was to explore cultural health perceptions, behaviors, and barriers to cervical cancer prevention among Korean immigrant women (KIW) in Hawaii. The health belief model and the social-ecological model were used to guide the study. Data were collected using individual structured interviews with 20 KIW ages 21 to 65 who are first-generation KIW immigrant to Hawaii. Data were coded and analyzed to identify themes. Findings revealed that participants (a) prefer …

A Program Evaluation Of A Colon Cancer Screening Program Using At-Home Fecal Immunochemical Tests With Certified Patient Navigators, Candace E. H. Brunk

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in this country, but 33% of these deaths could be prevented by screening. While colonoscopy is an effective screening tool, it is expensive, invasive, and prone to encounter considerable patient resistance. An alternative is to first screen those at-risk using at-home fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kits. This study determined factors associated with the return of these kits distributed by Kentucky CancerLink, a non-profit organization, and its affiliates to participants in a colon cancer prevention program.

Objectives: To identify factors associated with: completing a FIT kit, completing the kit with minimal …

Predictors Of Mortality In Cancer Patients Who Needintensive Care Unit Support: A Two Center Cohort Study, Özlem Edi̇boğlu, Sami̇ Cenk Kirakli, Özlem Yazicioğlu Moçi̇n, Gökay Güngör, Ceyda Anar, Pinar Çi̇men, Nalan Adigüzel, Cüneyt Saltürk, Meri̇h Kalamanoğlu Balci, Zuhal Karakurt, Dursun Ali̇zoroğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Cancer patients frequently need intensive care support due to respiratory failure. We aimed to evaluate the predictors of mortality in cancer patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Materials and methods: This study was performed in the ICUs of two centers between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2015. Demographic data, cancer type, causes of respiratory failure, comorbidities, APACHE II scores, treatments, and mortality rates were recorded. Results: A total number of 583 cancer patients (477 males) were enrolled from the two centers. Of those, 472 patients had lung cancer (81%), while 111 had extrapulmonary malignancies …

Nanopulse Stimulation (Nps) Induces Tumor Ablation And Immunity In Orthotopic 4t1 Mouse Breast Cancer: A Review, Stephen J. Beebe, Brittany P. Lassiter, Siqi Guo

Bioelectrics Publications

Nanopulse Stimulation (NPS) eliminates mouse and rat tumor types in several different animal models. NPS induces protective, vaccine-like effects after ablation of orthotopic rat N1-S1 hepatocellular carcinoma. Here we review some general concepts of NPS in the context of studies with mouse metastatic 4T1 mammary cancer showing that the postablation, vaccine-like effect is initiated by dynamic, multilayered immune mechanisms. NPS eliminates primary 4T1 tumors by inducing immunogenic, caspase-independent programmed cell death (PCD). With lower electric fields, like those peripheral to the primary treatment zone, NPS can activate dendritic cells (DCs). The activation of DCs by dead/dying cells leads to increases …

Exploring The Effect Of Chronic Inflammation On Response To Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors In Cancer, Sherif M. El-Refai

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Precision medicine has allowed for the development of monoclonal antibodies that unmask the anti-tumor immune response. These agents have provided some patients durable clinical benefit. However, PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitor therapies are effective in a small group (10-20%) of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients when used as single-agent therapy. The approved companion diagnostic is expression of the immune cell surface molecule, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), on tumors measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Studies in tumor biology and immune surveillance dictate that PD-1 inhibitor efficacy should depend on the level of PD-L1 expression; however, the literature has not followed with …

The Development Of Novel Non-Peptide Proteasome Inhibitors For The Treatment Of Solid Tumors, Zachary C. Miller

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

The proteasome is a large protein complex which is responsible for the majority of protein degradation in eukaryotes. Following FDA approval of the first proteasome inhibitor bortezomib for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) in 2003, there has been an increasing awareness of the significant therapeutic potential of proteasome inhibitors in the treatment of cancer. As of 2017, three proteasome inhibitors are approved for the treatment of MM but in clinical trials with patients bearing solid tumors these existing proteasome inhibitors have demonstrated poor results. Notably, all three FDA-approved proteasome inhibitors rely on the combination a peptide backbone and reactive …

Elevated Blood Lead Levels, Cancer Incidence, And All-Cause Mortality In Adults, Sherri L. Davidson

All ETDs from UAB

Epidemiologic studies have indicated an association between lead exposure and cancer. Although lead exposure has declined in recent decades, from removal of lead in gasoline and paint, lead exposure remains a health concern from environmental and occupational sources including aging water systems. In a retrospective cohort study, Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES) records in Alabama were linked to cancer incidence data in the Alabama Statewide Cancer Registry and mortality data from the Alabama Center for Health Statistics, using a probabilistic linkage program. Blood lead level (BLL) measurements were used to categorize exposure levels. Odds ratios approximated relative risks. …

Overcoming Obesity-Induced Immunotherapeutic Impairment, Shannon Boi

All ETDs from UAB

Obesity affects ~40% of United States adults and is linked to the development of multiple health-related complications. Obesity is a major risk factor for developing renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common type of renal cancer. Metastatic RCC has poor five-year survivals, therefore, new, efficacious therapeutics are needed. One avenue is immunomodulation to generate tumor-specific, systemic anti-tumor responses that are long-lasting against local, metastatic, and recurrent tumors. Despite encouraging results, immunotherapeutic treatment of RCC is underwhelming. Cytokine therapies are largely toxic, while newly FDA-approved ‘checkpoint blockade’ (CB) antibodies have responses <50%. Here, we present a strategy employing a T cell priming therapy (AdTR/CpG) upstream of CB administration. Combinatorial use resulted in improved anti-tumoral immune responses, significantly reduced tumor burdens, and extended overall survival in pre-clinical RCC. Importantly, this approach was more efficacious than either single agent(s). Pre-clinical therapy development is often accomplished using lean, healthy animals–thus, to improve translatability we examined immune responses in the context of obesity as a major patient comorbidity. Subsequently, we investigated AdTR/CpG/CB in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. Tumor/treatment-naïve DIO mice exhibited obesity-associated features; i.e., increased leptin/insulin and serum cytokines. These effects were not dependent on high-fat diet administration as mice resistant to weight gain had minimal alterations in these factors, and were similar to mice maintained on standard chow. As previously identified, 80% of DIO mice bearing renal tumors failed to respond to AdTR/CpG. AdTR/CpG/CB-treatment dramatically improved response rates against DIO tumors, however, decreased obese responder percentages were observed in both combinatorial therapies and was independent of high fat diet administration alone. Impaired response rates were not model or immunotherapy-specific as similar reductions in tumor clearance were seen in models of melanoma and sarcoma. Furthermore, responses were not due to initial T cell priming or unequal precursor CD8+ T cell frequencies. Detrimental changes in the tumor microenvironment underscored failure in obese mice and revealed therapeutic success was defined by a T cell-myeloid cell-inversion profile, supported by immunogenetic and flow cytometric analyses. Thus, we demonstrate a novel combinatorial approach for improving checkpoint-based outcomes, and identify the ability of host obesity to impede therapy-induced anti-tumor immunity.

The Effect Of Dna Methylation On Tp73 Expression In Tumorgenesis, Nujuma A. Moussa

Undergraduate Research Posters

Abstract: The Effect of DNA Methylation on TP73 Expression in Tumorgenesis

Nujuma Moussa, Zhixing Yao, Zaki A. Sherif

Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Howard University College of Medicine

TP73 is a member of the TP53 family of proteins that acts as a transcription factor to help regulate cellular distress. This tumor protein may play a dual role as a tumor suppressor and tumor promoter. The TP73 gene is mapped to chromosome 1p36, a frequently deleted region in neuroblastoma and other types of tumors. While mutations in the TP53 gene are commonly known to cause noxious cancers, 30% of cancers …

Prognostic Value Of Interferon-Gamma, Interleukin-6, And Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha In The Radiation Response Of Patients Diagnosed With Locally Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer And Glioblastoma Multiforme, Çi̇ğdem Damla Deni̇z, Mehmet Gürbi̇lek, Mehmet Koç

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) on interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), which are critical markers of the clinical radiation response of patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Materials and methods: Thirty patients who were treated with CRT and 20 healthy controls were prospectively evaluated. Circulating levels of cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay procedure. Post-CRT and pre-CRT levels were compared. Results: Post-CRT, TNF-α and IFN-γ levels were significantly lower than pre-CRT levels in the NSCLC and GBM groups, respectively. The statistical analysis did …

An Introduction To The Priorities Of The Michigan Cancer Consortium, Polly Hager Msn, Rn

Michigan Journal of Public Health

These "Notes from the Field" serve as an introduction to the Priorities of the Michigan Cancer Consortium (MCC). This introduction lays the groundwork for four "Notes from the Field" intended to follow, that describe the MCC's cancer control priorities and the results of collaborative efforts to address them.

Plasma Medicine: A Brief Introduction, Mounir Laroussi

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

This mini review is to introduce the readers of Plasma to the field of plasma medicine. This is a multidisciplinary field of research at the intersection of physics, engineering, biology and medicine. Plasma medicine is only about two decades old, but the research community active in this emerging field has grown tremendously in the last few years. Today, research is being conducted on a number of applications including wound healing and cancer treatment. Although a lot of knowledge has been created and our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms that play important roles in the interaction between low temperature plasma and …

Educating Oncology Nurses On The Benefits Of Patient Exercise, Roberta Anderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Exercise benefits patients with cancer during and after treatments. A formalized educational program is lacking at the project's site for oncology nurses on the benefits of exercise for their patients during and after treatment. The purpose of the project was to address the identified gap in practice at the project's site by providing education to oncology nurses on the benefits of exercise for their patients during and after treatment. The ARCS model of motivational design was used as a theoretical foundation to develop and guide the educational program presented to the oncology nurses. The question addressed in the project was: …

Evaluation Of A Drug Delivery System Based On Cyclodextrins For Cancer Therapy, Caroline Mendes

Doctoral

Due to the side-effects caused by regular chemotherapy, the development of drug delivery systems that can specifically target cancer cells and deliver the therapeutic dose is required. In this study, a folate-derivative of β-cyclodextrin has been studied as a vehicle for targeting folate receptors (FR) and delivering the chemotherapeutic drug methotrexate (MTX). FRs can be considered key cell membrane targets since they are commonly over-expressed in cancer cells and play an important role in cancer development and progression. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharides with a unique structure that allows them to form inclusion complexes with guest molecules, increasing their aqueous …

Evaluating The Effect Of A Nurse Navigator In Increasing Colorectal Screening, Christine Njogu

DNP Projects

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse navigator in increasing colorectal (CRC) screening in primary care setting.

METHODS: This was a descriptive retrospective study of the effect of nurse navigators in increasing colorectal screening in primary care settings within Jefferson county and its surrounding counties. The sample consisted of 200 patient chart reviews for the period of September 1st through December 31st, 2017. Rates of colorectal screening were compared in those who received a nurse navigator call and those who did not.

RESULTS: Overall screening rates were 44.6%. A distinct increase in screening …

Mental Health Interventions For Adolescent Cancer Patients, Kelsey A. Faherty

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: According to the National Cancer Institute (2017) approximately 15,270 individuals’ ages 0 to 19 years would be diagnosed with cancer in 2017. Although pediatric cancer survival rates continue to rise, there are high rates of anxiety, fear, and depression amongst this population. The purpose of this literature review was to explore mental health interventions for adolescent cancer patients.

Methodology: A total of 165 articles were found in a literature search. Databases used include: CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Clinical Answers, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO. As results were further narrowed based on relevance and …

Lessons Learned From Revising The Cancer Plan For Michigan, Dilhara Muthukuda Mph, Debbie Webster Bsn, Rn, Lmsw, Polly Hager Msn, Rn, Sarah Mott Mph, Ms, Rdn

Michigan Journal of Public Health

Comprehensive Cancer Control (CCC) programs are a collaborative method to address cancer burden. Each CCC program is required to have a cancer plan to guide activities to reduce the cancer burden in their jurisdiction and should reflect the most recent research and evidence-based strategies. In 2015, Michigan set out to revise its CCC plan that met the needs of its coalition while using a participatory process involving its network of approximately 100 stakeholders. A collaborative approach involving multiple workgroups was used to develop the criteria and content for the CCC plan. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) …

Analysis Of Ptprk Polymorphisms In Association With Risk And Age At Onset Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Cancer Risk, And Cholesterol, Yang Chen, Chun Xu, Sam Harirforoosh, Xingguang Luo, Ke-Sheng Wang

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

The human receptor-type protein-tyrosine phosphatase kappa (PTPRK) gene is highly expressed in human brain and is previously associated with neuropsychiatric disorders and cancer. This study investigated the association of 52 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PTPRK with the risk and age at onset (AAO) of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in 791 AD patients and 782 controls. Five SNPs (top SNP rs4895829 with p=0.0125) were associated with the risk of AD based on a multiple logistic regression (p

Heat Shock Proteins As Modulators And Therapeutic Targets Of Chronic Disease: An Integrated Perspective, Adrienne L. Edkins, John T. Price, A Graham Pockley, Gregory L. Blatch

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Many heat shock proteins (HSPs) are essential to survival as a consequence of their role as molecular chaperones, and play a critical role in maintaining cellular proteostasis by integrating the fundamental processes of protein folding and degradation. HSPs are arguably among the most prominent classes of proteins that have been broadly linked to many human disorders, with changes in their expression profile and/or intracellular/extracellular location now being described as contributing to the pathogenesis of a number of different diseases. Although the concept was initially controversial, it is now widely accepted that HSPs have additional biological functions over and above their …

Carcinogenesis In Prostate Cancer: The Role Of Long Non-Coding Rnas, John Aird, Anne-Marie Baird, Marvin C.J Lim, Ray Mcdermott, Stephen P. Finn, Steven G. Gray

Articles

LncRNAs appear to play a considerable role in tumourigenesis through regulating key processes in cancer cells such as proliferative signalling, replicative immortality, invasion and metastasis, evasion of growth suppressors, induction of angiogenesis and resistance to apoptosis. LncRNAs have been reported to play a role in prostate cancer, particularly in regulating the androgen receptor signalling pathway. In this review article, we summarise the role of 34 lncRNAs in prostate cancer with a particular focus on their role in the androgen receptor signalling pathway and the epithelial to mesenchymal transition pathway.

Educating Oncology Nurses About The Emotional Impact Of Cancer Diagnosis, Jonnell Ortiz Zayas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Anxiety and depression are common mood disorders in cancer patients, regardless of mental state prior to diagnosis. A gap in the education of oncology nurses in an eastern Caribbean island was discovered regarding their ability to identify anxiety and depression symptoms and to help patients who suffered from these disorders. The purpose of this project was to improve oncology nurses' assessment skills by reviewing appropriate use of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) tool and familiarizing nurses with resources to help patients who score high on the HADS. The Levine conservation model was the theoretical framework for this project. …

Pain Management, Gender, And Quality Of Life In Cancer Patients, John Robert Buhmeyer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The type of cancer pain management used may have an effect on the quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients. Researchers have determined that cancer patients are inadequately treated for pain and pain management is an essential determinant of patient survivability and QOL. Numerous clinical studies have been accomplished concerning opioid administration and noncancer and cancer pain management exist. Previous studies have examined the relationship between cannabinoid products, noncancer pain, cancer pain, and related QOL for patients but have not focused on the QOL of cancer patients while also moderating for gender. These relationships were investigated using the health belief …

Analysis Of The Gtp Cyclohydrolase I/Tetrahydrobiopterin Pathway In Glioblastoma Biology, Anh Tran

All ETDs from UAB

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are the most common primary malignant brain tumors in adults and one of the most aggressive cancers with high rates of recurrence and therapeutic resistance. In GBMs, subpopulations of highly tumorigenic cells called brain tumor initiating cells (BTICs) have the unique capacity to promote tumor maintenance, therapeutic resistance, and angiogenesis. Depending on the level, differentiation state, and tumor stage, reactive nitrogen and oxygen species inhibit or increase cancer growth and BTIC maintenance. GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH1) is the rate limiting enzyme in a pathway that can regulate reactive species production but has not been thoroughly investigated in GBM. …

Spiritual Care In Cancer Genetic Counseling: Patient Perceptions Of Methods, Christopher Michael Spencer

Theses and Dissertations

The integration of spirituality into medical care is a growing area of debate among professionals, involving a delicate balance between serving patients who may benefit from this without alienating those who would not. To date, little research has targeted spirituality in cancer genetic counseling, particularly concerning the various methods a genetic counselor can use to address spirituality with their patients. A paper questionnaire was created and distributed to patients following their cancer genetic counseling appointments to gain insight on their perception of these methods. Fifty-two participants completed this questionnaire. The eight different spiritual integration methods presented each showed positive responses …

The Effect Of Self-Selected Complementary Therapies On Cancer Patients' Quality Of Life And Symptom Distress: A Prospective Cohort Study In An Integrative Oncology Setting, N J. Stomski, A Petterson, L J. Kristjanson, Elizabeth Lobb, M B. Phillips, A Williams, P Morrison, D Joske

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of a multifaceted complementary therapies intervention, delivered in a systematic manner within an Australian public hospital setting, on quality of life and symptom distress outcomes for cancer patients.

Methods: Adults receiving treatment for any form of cancer were eligible to participate in this study. Self-referred participants were offered a course of six complementary therapy sessions. Measures were administered at baseline, and at the third and sixth visit. The primary outcomes were quality of life and symptom distress. Linear mixed models were used to assess change in the primary outcomes.

Results: In total, 1376 cancer patients …

Existential Distress In Cancer: Alleviating Suffering From Fundamental Loss And Change, Sigrun Vehling, David Kissane

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

A severe life threatening illness can challenge fundamental expectations about security, interrelatedness with others, justness, controllability, certainty, and hope for a long and fruitful life. That distress and suffering but also growth and mastery may arise from confrontation with an existentially threatening stressor is a long‐standing idea. But only recently have researchers studied existential distress more rigorously and begun to identify its distinct impact on health care outcomes. Operationalizations of existential distress have included fear of cancer recurrence, death anxiety, demoralization, hopelessness, dignity‐related distress, and the desire for hastened death. These focus in varying emphasis on fear of death, concern …

Investigating The Role Of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonists In Lung Cancer Progression And Chemosensitivity In The Context Of Treating Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy, Sarah L. Kyte

Theses and Dissertations

While cancer chemotherapy continues to significantly contribute to the number of cancer survivors, exposure to these drugs can often result in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a consequence of peripheral nerve fiber dysfunction or degeneration. CIPN is characterized by sensory symptoms in the hands and feet, such as numbness, burning, and allodynia, resulting in an overall decrease in quality of life. Paclitaxel (Taxol), a microtubule poison that is commonly used to treat breast, lung, and ovarian cancers, has been found to cause CIPN in 59-78% of cancer patients. There is currently no effective preventative or therapeutic treatment for this side effect, …

Evaluation And Adaptation Of Live-Cell Interferometry For Applications In Basic, Translational, And Clinical Research, Kevin A. Leslie

Theses and Dissertations

Cell mass is an important indicator of cell health and status. A diverse set of techniques have been developed to precisely measure the masses of single cells, with varying degrees of technical complexity and throughput. Here, the development of a non-invasive, label-free optical technique, termed Live-Cell Interferometry (LCI), is described. Several applications are presented, including an evaluation of LCI’s utility for assessing drug response heterogeneity in patient-derived melanoma lines and the measurement of CD3+ T cell kinetics during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The characterization of mast cells during degranulation, the measurement of viral reactivation kinetics in Kaposi’s Sarcoma, and drug …

Novel Insights Into The Contribution Of Cellular Senescence To Cancer Therapy: Reversibility, Dormancy And Senolysis., Tareq Saleh

Theses and Dissertations

Cellular senescence a specialized form of growth arrest that contributes to the pathogenesis of several aging-related disorders including cancer. While by definition tumor cells are considered immortalized, they can undergo senescence when exposed to conventional and targeted cancer therapy. Therapy-Induced Senescence (TIS) represents a fundamental response to therapy and impacts its outcomes. However, TIS has been considered a positive therapeutic goal since senescent tumor cells are expected to enter a state of permanent growth abrogation. In this work we examined the hypothesis that a subpopulation of senescent cells can re-acquire proliferative potential after a state of senescent dormancy, indicating that …