Chemicals and Drugs Commons^™

Dabrafenib-Induced Cutaneous Eruptions In A Patient With Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis, Jaanvi Mehta, Julianna Tolotta, Eleanor Matthews, Daniel Joffe, Safiyyah Bhatti, Lauren Banner, Jenna Mandel, Molly Wallace, Timothy G. Webster, Jason B. Lee, Neda Nikbakht

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare malignancy marked by clonal proliferation of Langerhans cells, with BRAF V600E mutations identified in over 50% of the cases. BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi), such as dabrafenib, have shown efficacy in treating BRAF V600E-mutant LCH. However, BRAFi therapy is associated with cutaneous adverse effects, including the development of new melanocytic nevi, verrucae, and keratinocyte carcinoma (KC). This case report describes a 78-year-old woman with BRAF V600E-mutant LCH who developed multiple dermatologic side effects following dabrafenib salvage therapy. Seven weeks into treatment, the patient presented with eruptive palmoplantar nevi, verrucae, and a basal cell carcinoma (BCC). …

Evaluation Of Neuroplastic Changes In Psychological Intervention And Contemporary Treatments Of Depression, Taylor Severance

Dissertations

Major depressive disorder is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders worldwide. There is a vast range of treatment options for depression, with varying levels of effectiveness. Recent treatments for depression have expanded, increasing alternative treatments, and it is unknown which treatments have the largest impact on depression. This research was designed to examine the treatments of depression, with a focus on psychotherapy and contemporary treatments such as ketamine, psilocybin, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. A literature review was conducted to assess treatment outcomes and neuroplastic changes in these interventions, as well as combinations of the interventions. Data were evaluated …

Quality Improvement (Qi) Project Aimed At Reducing Unnecessary Antibiotic Usage Among Older Adult Patients By Addressing Inappropriate Antibiotic Prescribing In Primary And Long-Term Care Settings, Pamela M. Thomas

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Antibiotic overuse among older adults remains a significant patient safety and public health concern. Recent national data indicate that approximately 30%–50% of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions may be unnecessary, particularly for viral or self-limiting conditions (Chua et al., 2021). Antimicrobial resistance has been associated with more than 1.27 million deaths globally (Murray et al., 2022). This quality improvement project evaluated a multifaceted antimicrobial stewardship intervention in primary and long-term care settings. Baseline review of 167 antibiotic cases revealed 37.1% were inappropriate or questionable, and 28.7% lacked adequate diagnostic documentation. The intervention incorporated provider education, electronic health record decision-support tools, audit and …

Mechanisms Of Binding And Immune Escape Resistance For Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies Targeting Distinct Conserved Sars-Cov-2 Spike Epitopes: A Hierarchical Approach Integrating Mutational Profiling And Energy Landscape Analysis, Mohammed Alshahrani, Will Gatlin, Max Ludwick, Lucas Turano, Brandon Foley, Gennady M. Verkhivker

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The continued evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has enabled an escape from most monoclonal antibodies, yet a subset of broadly neutralizing antibodies targeting three newly identified super-conserved RBD epitopes—SCORE-A, SCORE-B, and SCORE-C—retains remarkable activity against even the most recent JN.1-derived sublineages. Here, we employed an integrated computational framework combining conformational dynamics, mutational scanning, MM-GBSA binding energetics, and frustration profiling to dissect the molecular mechanisms by which XGI antibodies achieve broad neutralization and resistance to immune escape. Structural analysis revealed that all three SCORE epitopes share a common architecture: a highly conserved, minimally frustrated core that provides stable anchoring, flanked by peripheral regions …

Optimizing Itpa R178c Assays Via Hplc, Jared J. Reisnouer, Wally D. Pines

2026 Symposium

Two of the major nucleotide bases in DNA and RNA (Adenine and Guanine) are derived from the purine Inosine Monophosphate (IMP). IMP may occasionally form the noncanonical nucleotide Inosine Triphosphate (ITP) within the cell and become incorporated into DNA during replication, leading to potentially lethal errors. To combat this, human cells produce the “housekeeping” enzyme Inosine Triphosphatase (ITPA) to revert ITP to IMP. A mutation of this protein that replaces the 178th amino acid Arginine with Cysteine (R178C) is associated with a fatal infantile encephalopathy. Previous assessments of enzyme-substrate binding and catalysis for ITPA variants have been run at a …

Brain Delivery Of Antibody-Derived Biologicals For Alzheimer’S Disease: An Updated Narrative Review, Rachita K. Sumbria, Ruben J. Boado

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Antibodies directed against β-amyloid (Aβ) have been developed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the in vivo central efficacy is reduced by the poor penetration of antibodies across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). In addition, these antibodies have been associated with adverse effects like amyloid-related imaging abnormalities. Thus, the development of new antibody-based therapies for AD with improved transport across the BBB may improve efficacy and reduce adverse effects. Antibodies targeting the BBB transferrin receptor (TfR) are able to cross the BBB through receptor-mediated transcytosis, producing a global distribution throughout the brain. Along the same line, bispecific antibodies directed …

False Halos: A Case Of Digoxin Poisoning, Usman Nazeer, Sarita Thanedar, Jacob Sanderson, Gongkai Liu, Hitesh Gidwani

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Selectivity Modulation Of Small Cationic Membrane-Active Cyclic Peptides With Broad-Spectrum Activity Against Bacteria And Fungi, Sandeep Lohan, Rakesh Kumar Tiwari, Innokentiy Maslennikov, Kaustav Das Gupta, Shakti Singh, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

To investigate how ring size and backbone flexibility influence antimicrobial potency and cytotoxicity, we synthesized a series of macrocyclic peptides of lead peptide p1 (c[Arg-Arg-arg-arg-dip-Trp-dip]) by incorporating Gly, 2-aminoethoxyacetic acid (EAA), or 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (Dab). Two optimized peptides, 6b and 10b, retained broad-spectrum activity against drug-resistant Gram-positive (MIC, 1.5–6.2 μg/mL) and Gram-negative bacteria (MIC, 4–25 μg/mL), as well as pathogenic fungi, while exhibiting enhanced selectivity for microbial cells. Their therapeutic indices (TI ∼407 and ∼394, respectively) were ∼2-fold higher than p1, indicating improved safety. Both peptides remained effective against Gram-negative pathogens beyond the reach of daptomycin, were rapidly bactericidal, and …

Microbiome-Responsive Hydrogels: From Biological Cues To Smart Biomaterials, Rajesh Vadlapatla, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi, Ajoy Koomer, Judy Weng, Matthew Ernest Ghilarducci, Alai Qudus, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Stimuli-responsive hydrogels (SRHs) are smart polymeric materials that undergo reversible physicochemical changes in response to abiotic cues and externally applied fields, enabling applications in drug delivery, wound healing, and tissue engineering. However, they exhibit limited biological specificity and do not adequately reflect the dynamic, disease-relevant complexity of native tissue microenvironments. Microbe-colonized tissues display distinctive biochemical features driven, shaped by microbial metabolism, including localized pH gradients, short-chain fatty acid production, secretion of quorum-sensing molecules, biofilm formation, and expression of specialized enzymes. These endogenous, spatiotemporally regulated signals are closely linked to host physiology and pathology but remain underutilized in hydrogel …

Tumor Targeting With Peptide-Drug Conjugates: Showcasing Key Progress And Hurdles, Keykavous Parang, Thuy Do, Clare Dinh, Dorna Davanidavari, Max Foroughi, Troy Khong, Mahsa Moazen, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) are modular, targeted therapeutics composed of a homing peptide linked to a cytotoxic or modulating drug payload via a cleavable/non-cleavable linker. PDCs utilize peptide targeting to enhance the delivery of potent drugs to tumors, providing advantages such as superior tissue penetration, reduced immunogenicity, and simpler manufacture compared to antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). A comparison of PDCs versus ADCs highlights that PDCs’ small size (~1-3 kDa) enables deeper tumor penetration and faster clearance, whereas ADCs (~150 kDa) benefit from prolonged circulation but suffer from limited tissue diffusion. This review surveys recent advances in PDC design and application. We discuss …

Controlled Antibiotic Release From Emulsion-Loaded Alginate And Fibrin Hydrogels Using Ultrasound, Ziba Ghareh Nazi Fam, Asia Winslow, Mario Fabiilli, Sam Varghese, Brian Oeffinger, Flemming Forsberg, Noreen Hickok, Lauren Delaney

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

Postoperative infections remain a major complication after spinal fusion surgery, often caused by biofilm-forming bacteria that resist short-term antibiotic prophylaxis. Vancomycin (VAN) is sometimes delivered locally during surgery; however, levels diminish rapidly, leaving patients vulnerable to late-onset infections. We developed a composite hydrogel integrating perfluorohexane-based emulsions within alginate or fibrin matrices to enable both sustained and ultrasound-triggered VAN release. Water-in-oil-in-water emulsions were prepared using fluorosurfactant-stabilized perfluorohexane as the volatile oil phase, then embedded in hydrogels and exposed to ultrasound (2.5 MHz, 5.5 MPa peak negative pressure) to initiate acoustic droplet vaporization for triggered release. Drug release was quantified spectrophotometrically and …

Zoliflodacin Versus Ceftriaxone Plus Azithromycin For Treatment Of Uncomplicated Urogenital Gonorrhoea: An International, Randomised, Controlled, Open-Label, Phase 3, Non-Inferiority Clinical Trial, Alison Luckey, Manica Balasegaram, Lindley A. Barbee, Teresa A. Batteiger, Helen Broadhurst, Stephanie E. Cohen, Sinead Delany-Moretlwe, Henry J.C. De Vries, Jodie A. Dionne, Katherine Gill, Chris Kenyon, Rossaphorn Kittiyaowamarn, Drew Lewis, John P. Mueller, Vimla Naicker, Seamus O'Brien, John P. O'Donnell, Nittaya Phanuphak, Elizabeth Spooner, Subasree Srinivasan, Stephanie N. Taylor, Magnus Unemo, Zinhle Zwane, Edward W. Hook, Zoliflodacin Phase 3 Study Group

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background Development of new treatments for gonorrhoea is a global public health priority. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of zoliflodacin versus ceftriaxone plus azithromycin in patients with uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhoea. Methods In this phase 3, multinational, randomised, controlled, open-label, non-inferiority clinical trial, participants aged 12 years and older with clinical suspicion of uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhoea were eligible for inclusion. The trial was done in 17 outpatient clinics in Belgium, the Netherlands, South Africa, Thailand, and the USA. Participating countries with high disease prevalence were identified for participation in the study. Sites selected for participation were led by …

Survival Following Extreme Metformin-Associated Lactic Acidosis In A Patient With Acute-On-Chronic Kidney Disease Managed With Crrt, Phil Khong, Danielle Sudilovsky, Logan Blackney, Ryan Spilman, Alex Enurah

Continental and Mountain Divisions GME Resarch Day 2026

No abstract provided.

The Myopia Epidemic: Integrating Genetic, Environmental, And Epigenetic Pathways To Define A Critical Window For Intervention, Pranavika Balaji

UROP Posters

Myopia, or nearsightedness, has increased rapidly worldwide and is now a major public health concern caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Current understanding shows that too much near work, limited time spent outdoors, and prolonged screen use contribute to abnormal eye growth in individuals who may already have a genetic predisposition. At the molecular level, epigenetic changes and shifts in DNA activity, often influenced by environmental conditions, affect the signaling pathways that regulate eye development and may help explain why myopia is increasingly common among children. This paper synthesizes recent environmental, genetic, and epigenetic research to explain how these …

Inflammatory Co-Regulation Of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels And Na,K-Atpase In Metastatic Breast Cancer, Steven D. Scahill, Kelly Jean Sherman, Dennis Paul

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Sodium regulation is a potentially major driver of cancer metastasis. Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) and Na,K-ATPase are sodium transporters that are upregulated in many advanced carcinomas and are implicated as metastatic drivers. However, little is known about what drives this overexpression, how these proteins influence metastatic behavior, or whether these complementary sodium transporters are co-regulated in cancer. Using sodium transporter regulation in healthy neurons as a model, the present study demonstrated that the inflammatory mediator tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) affects the expression of VGSCs and Na,K-ATPase in an in vitro model of metastatic breast cancer. Acute TNFα challenge increased …

Microglial Expression Of Serotonin Receptors Reveals Parallel Regulation Of 5-Ht2b And Bdnf In The Rat Hippocampus, Andrei Turkin, Maria Sidorova, Ekaterina Kurilova, Natalia Alenina, Oksana Tuchina, Friederike Klempin

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Growing evidence suggests that psychiatric disorders are characterized by a prolonged inflammatory state, which may influence the efficacy of compounds targeting serotonin. Serotonin is a key signaling molecule in neuroplasticity of the adult hippocampus and involved in antidepressant action. Recent in vitro studies indicate the neurotransmitter may also facilitate the response to inflammation and potentially modulate microglial function towards neuroprotection. Using Tph2−/− rats depleted of brain serotonin, we examined microglial expression of various serotonin receptors (5-HTRs) in vivo in both the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex and assessed mRNA levels of cytokines and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). We observed age-dependent and …

Vasoactive Drug Use In Children With Community Acquired Septic Shock In Australia And New Zealand, Elliot Long, Stephen Hearps, Amanda Williams, Ben Gelbart, Warwick Butt, Thomas Rozen, Sarah Mcnab, Meredith Borland, Simon Erickson, Shefali Jani, Marino Festa, Eunicia Tan, Natalie Phillips, Sainath Raman, Amit Kochar, Subodh Ganu, Simon Craig, Anna Lithgow, Arjun Rao, Emma Whyte, Stuart Dalziel, Shane George, Fran Balamuth, Scott Weiss, Nathan Kuppermann, Franz Babl

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Vasoactive agents are a critical supportive therapy for children with sepsis. We describe the choice and use patterns of vasoactive agents in children with sepsis.

METHODS: Prospective observational study conducted in 11 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand through the Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT) Network from April 2021 to December 2023. Children aged 0-< 18 years with suspected sepsis were included. Children admitted to hospital and treated with parenteral antibiotics and either 1) a provisional diagnosis of sepsis, and/or 2) treatment for suspected sepsis (fluid bolus to treat poor perfusion). The frequency and sequence of use of vasoactive agents, and contributors to the choice of initial vasoactive were collected.

FINDINGS: 6232 children with suspected sepsis were included; median age of 2.1 years (IQR 0.3-7.1 years), in-hospital mortality of 60 (1.0%), in whom a subset of 306 (4.9%) met Phoenix sepsis criteria. Vasoactive agents were used in 179 (2.9%) children overall …

Treating Atopic Dermatitis: Oral Jak1 Inhibitor Vs. Monoclonal Antibody, Abby Craft, Nicolle Holgate

Physician Assistant Capstones, 2020-current

Objective: To compare symptom management of atopic dermatitis between injectable monoclonal antibodies and an oral Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor. Design: Literature review. Methods: Searches were done in PubMed and CINAHL using the following terms: abrocitinib, Cibinqo, dupilumab, Dupixent, and atopic dermatitis. Filters included: randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, and scholarly journal. Results: Three studies met all criteria including Bieber et al, Reich et al, and Huang et al. Conclusion: Oral JAK1 inhibitor abrocitinib has been shown to have similar efficacy in symptom management of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis compared to monoclonal antibody dupilumab and should be considered when prescribing treatment.

Identification Of Predictive Pretreatment Biomarkers For Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response In Latino Invasive Breast Cancer Patients, Hedda Michelle Guevara-Nieto, Rafael Parra-Medina, Carlos A. Orozco, Sandra Diaz-Casas, Jone Garai, Jovanny Zabaleta, Liliana López-Kleine, Alba L. Combita

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Breast cancer (BC) exhibits significant heterogeneity in incidence and mortality worldwide. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is the standard treatment for locally advanced BC; however, its efficacy varies by subtype. This study examined the gene expression profiles associated with NAC response in Colombian women with invasive BC. Methods: RNA sequencing of pre-treatment tissues from 58 patients (29 responders and 29 non-responders) identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for each molecular subtype, and prognostic performance was evaluated using risk scores. Results: Functional enrichment analysis highlighted the immune system pathways in non-responders. Changes in cytokine target activity and immune cell populations were analyzed to …

Overview Of Huntington's Disease And Emerging Treatment Strategies: A Narrative Review, Alexis J. Vega, Gabriel V. Hernandez, Pearse A. O'Malley, Connor J. Robin, Amanda N. Parra, Giustino Varrassi, Sahar Shekoohi, Alan D. Kaye

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant, progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a cytosine-adenine-guanine trinucleotide repeat expansion in the huntingtin (HTT) gene. The symptoms of HD include severe motor dysfunction, cognitive issues, and emotional dysregulation. These combined issues are not only debilitating but also lead to depression/anxiety, increased suicide rates, and caregiver burnout. Our narrative review summarizes several recent studies examining the efficacy and differences among emerging treatment strategies for HD. A systematic search of peer-reviewed literature was conducted, focusing on recent studies that describe molecular genetic manipulation of the HTT gene/huntingtin protein. The results of our narrative review reveal …

Safety Evaluation Of Epicertin, An Oral Biotherapeutic Candidate For Treating Ulcerative Colitis: A 28-Day Repeated Dose Toxicity Study., Jimmy Fernando Cifuentes Jimenez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by chronic, relapsing inflammation of the colon and rectum with limited treatment options. Among them, immunosuppressive agents have a high rate of adverse side effects and do not cure the disease. EPICERTIN (EPT), a recombinant variant of the cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) with a C-terminal hexapeptide extension consisting of a KDEL endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention motif, is a promising oral biotherapeutic candidate for the treatment of UC. EPT has demonstrated mucosal healing activity in mouse models of colitis and human colonic explants. EPT's mechanism of action involves binding to GM1 …

Nirsevimab Effectiveness Against Intensive Care Unit Admission For Respiratory Syncytial Virus In Infants - 24 States, December 2024-April 2025, Laura D. Zambrano, Regina M. Simeone, Margaret M. Newhams, Amanda B. Payne, Natasha B. Halasa, Amber O. Orzel-Lockwood, Jemima M. Calixte, Satoshi Kamidani, Hillary Crandall, Melissa A. Cameron, Jennifer E. Schuster, Aline B. Maddux, Kathleen Chiotos, Katherine Irby, Steven L. Shein, Mary Allen Staat, Lora M. Martin, Samina S. Bhumbra, Ryan A. Nofziger, Jigar C. Chauhan, Danielle M. Zerr, Shira J. Gertz, Judith A. Guzman-Cottrill, Michele Kong, Janet R. Hume, Bria M. Coates, Kelly N. Michelson, Tamara T. Bradford, Et Al

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and respiratory failure among infants (children aged < year) in the United States. In August 2023, CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody, to protect against RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infection among all infants aged < 8 months born during or entering their first RSV season. Following licensure, nirsevimab effectiveness has been demonstrated against RSV-associated infant hospitalization, but evidence regarding effectiveness against RSV-associated critical illness is limited. In a 27-hospital case-control investigation, nirsevimab effectiveness against both RSV-associated infant ICU admission and acute respiratory failure (illness requiring continuous positive airway pressure, bilevel positive airway pressure, or invasive mechanical ventilation) after hospital admission was evaluated during December 1, 2024-April 15, 2025. Among 457 case-patients who received a positive RSV test result and 302 control patients who received a negative RSV test result admitted to an ICU with respiratory symptoms, 14% and 45%, respectively, had received nirsevimab ≥ 7 days before symptom onset. Nirsevimab was 80% effective (95% CI = 70%-86%) against RSV-associated ICU admission and 83% effective (95% CI = 74%-90%) against acute respiratory failure when received a median of 52 days (IQR = 32-89 days) and 50 days (IQR = 32-86 days) before onset for each respective endpoint. These estimates support the recommendation for use of nirsevimab as a prevention strategy to protect infants against severe outcomes from RSV infection.

Colorectal Cancer: Differential Gene Expression And In Vitro Response To 5-Fluorouracil, Novel Fluoropyrimidine F10, And Potential Synergy With Lupeol, Shrey D. Thaker, Jenny Paredes, Jone Garai, Laura A. Martello, William H. Gmeiner, Jovanny Zabaleta, Jennie Williams

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies in the United States, with African American (AA) patients experiencing disproportionately higher incidence and mortality compared to Caucasian Americans (CAs). These disparities have been linked to tumor-intrinsic genomic differences, including microsatellite instability (MSI) and p53 mutation status, which may influence chemotherapeutic response, particularly to the standard-of-care agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). However, mechanistic insights have been limited by the lack of racially diverse preclinical models. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of F10 (a novel fluoropyrimidine polymer) vs. 5-FU using AA- and CA-derived CRC cell lines with distinct MSI and p53 profiles. MTT …

Citronellol Reduces Sepsis-Induced Renal Inflammation Via Ap-1/Nf-Κb/Tnf-Α Pathway, Huda Rashid Atiyah, Sarmed H. Kathem, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Sepsis is characterized by the over-production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) is a well-accepted model for recreating sepsis-induced renal injury in mice. The current study investigates how citronellol, a naturally occurring substance with a variety of biological characteristics, can prevent acute kidney inflammation brought on by CLP. In the CLP mouse model, citronellol was administered orally at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. Serum levels of creatinine and urea were used as markers of renal function, and the Murine Sepsis Score (MSS) was used to assess the severity of sepsis. According to our findings, CLP caused a …

Sulindac Sulfide Suppresses Oncogenic Transformation Through Let-7b-Mediated Repression Of K-Ras Signaling, Zhipin Liang, Ruixia Ma, Bin Yi, Adam I. Riker, Yaguang Xi

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass Is Associated With Increased Intestinal Glucose Uptake In Humans, Florina Corpodean, Maryam Naseri, Michael Kachmar, Julia St Amant, Denis P. Blondin, Owen T. Carmichael, Vance L. Albaugh

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

CONTEXT: In animal models, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is associated with increased Roux limb intestinal glucose uptake that may contribute to early metabolic benefits, though prospective clinical studies are lacking. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that Roux limb glucose uptake would increase relative to baseline in a cohort of patients undergoing RYGB. METHODS: RYGB patients underwent preoperative baseline, and 3- and 6-month positron emission tomography/computed tomography postoperative imaging. Maximum and mean standardized uptake values (SUV) were measured from the following predefined regions of interest: cecum, hepatic flexure, splenic flexure, sigmoid colon, duodenal bulb, Roux limb, and …

Assessing The Tumor Suppressive Impact And Regulatory Mechanisms Of Spdef Expression In Breast Cancer, Maansi Solanky, Maninder Khosla, Suresh K. Alahari

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, and the role of the transcription factor SPDEF remains controversial. We aimed to clarify the prognostic value of SPDEF, explore demographic and molecular correlates of its expression, and investigate potential regulatory mechanisms underlying its dysregulation. Methods: Genomic and clinical data for 1218 breast cancer tumors were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). SPDEF mRNA expression was compared across intrinsic subtypes, age, and race, and prognostic significance was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Promoter methylation patterns and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) expression were examined as potential regulatory drivers. Co-expression analysis was performed using gene panels …

Targeting The Bcl2 Family: Advances And Challenges In Bh3 Mimetic-Based Therapies, Nabanita Mukherjee, James Sheetz, Yiqun Shellman

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

The BCL2 family of proteins plays a pivotal role in regulating apoptosis and cellular homeostasis, making them critical therapeutic targets in cancer and other diseases characterized by pathological cell survival. BH3 mimetics, small molecules that selectively inhibit anti-apoptotic BCL2 family members, have achieved significant clinical success, particularly in hematologic malignancies. However, several challenges remain, including resistance mechanisms, toxicity (such as MCL1 inhibitor-associated cardiotoxicity), and the intricate balance between apoptotic and non-apoptotic functions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of BCL2 family biology, the development and clinical application and outcomes of BH3 mimetics, and the emerging resistance mechanism known as double-bolt …

A Plain Language Summary Publication Of Patients’ Survival With Endometrial Cancer Treated With Dostarlimab Plus Carboplatin-Paclitaxel, Matthew A. Powell, Line Bjørge, Lyndsay Willmott, Zoltán Novák, Destin Black, Lucy Gilbert, Sudarshan Sharma, Giorgio Valabrega, Lisa M. Landrum, Martina Gropp-Meier, Ashley Stuckey, Ingrid Boere, Michael A. Gold, Yakir Segev, Sarah E. Gill, Christine Gennigens, Alexandra Sebastianelli, Mark S. Shahin, Bhavana Pothuri, Bradley J. Monk, Joseph Buscema, Robert L. Coleman, Brian M. Slomovitz, Kari L. Ring, Thomas J. Herzog, Morad Marco Balas, Matthew Grimshaw, Shadi Stevens, Dominic W. Lai, Carolyn Mccourt, Mansoor Raza Mirza

Abington Jefferson Health Papers

What is the purpose of this PLS-P? The purpose of this plain language summary of publication is to help you understand recent findings from Part 1 of the RUBY study (full name ENGOT-EN6/GOG3031/RUBY trial). • Researchers sometimes study new combinations of already approved individual treatments to see if the combinations work well together and if they are safe to prescribe to patients. • In Part 1 of the RUBY study, the combination of dostarlimab with carboplatin-paclitaxel was investigated to see how well it worked for patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer when compared with patients who were given …

Concurrent Local Therapy Extends Clinical Benefit Of Tebentafusp In Metastatic Uveal Melanoma Patients, Tristan L. Lim, Kamaneh Montazeri, Eric Wehrenberg-Klee, Antoine Desilets, Rino S. Seedor, Marlana Orloff, Takami Sato, Michael Caplan, Mariam El-Ashmawy, Benjamin Izar, Shaheer Khan, Inderjit Mehmi, Aleigha Lawless, Theodore S. Hong, Omid Hamid, Richard D. Carvajal, Alexander Shoushtari, Ryan J. Sullivan

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Tebentafusp has significantly improved overall survival in HLA-A*02:01+ metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM) patients even in those with a best objective response of progressive disease. Thus, strategies to maintain tebentafusp therapy are critical. Here, we examine the efficacy and safety of adding concurrent local therapy (CLT) to tebentafusp upon radiological progression with tebentafusp alone.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included mUM patients treated with tebentafusp and CLT, consisting of extrahepatic soft tissue irradiation and liver-directed therapies (LDTs). Efficacy of target and nontarget sites were assessed per RECIST version 1.1. PFS with tebentafusp alone (PFS1) was compared to that …