Neoplasms Commons^™

Aminoflavone Inhibits Α6-Integrin And Growth Of Tamoxifen Resistant Breast Cancer, Petreena S. Campbell

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Approximately 40% of estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer patients develop resistance to standard of care agent tamoxifen, while ER negative (ER-) breast cancer patients are intrinsically resistant to tamoxifen. Resistance often promotes metastasis, recurrence and death. Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) represent key contributors to resistance and adhesion protein α6-integrin is a putative TIC biomarker. Investigational agent Aminoflavone (AF) demonstrates efficacy against breast cancer cells irrespective of ER status. Interestingly, we found tamoxifen resistant (TamR) cells and tumors exhibited elevated α6-integrin expression in comparison to their tamoxifen sensitive counterparts. AF effectively disrupted mammospheres enriched for TICs and reduced α6-integrin levels in …

Rna-Seq Reveals Transcriptomic Program Associated With Stemness In Taxane Resistant Prostate Cancer, Christina K. Cajigas-Du Ross

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

There is no cure for advanced prostate cancer (PCa), and taxane chemotherapy is the only treatment option once other therapies have failed. However, this is problematic since all patients eventually develop chemoresistance. Emerging treatments for advanced PCa have shown promise at the benchside, but clinical trials have not resulted in newly approved drugs due in part to redundant survival pathways utilized by prostate tumor cells to maintain therapy-resistance. Using RNAsequencing—an innovative approach for quantifying gene expression changes—this dissertation sought to elucidate chemoresistance-associated molecular pathways as a catalyst to develop new therapeutic targets. Results revealed a differential upregulation of stemness-associated genes …

The Role Of Glucocorticoid Signaling In Prostate Cancer Health Disparities, Leanne W. Burnham

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

African-American men are more likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer (PCa) and die from the disease than other ethnic groups. Glucocorticoid signaling is a contributing biological factor to worse PCa prognosis, and is emerging as a key driver of PCa progression in the absence of androgens. The mechanism involves glucocorticoids binding to glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and bypassing the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway to activate AR-target genes that promote tumor aggressiveness and therapy-resistance. This is problematic as African-American men have hypersensitive GR signaling and chronically-elevated levels of glucocorticoids linked to cumulative stressful life events. To explore the role of glucocorticoid …

Clinicians’ Perspectives On Adopting A Lung Cancer Palliative Care Intervention, Shaunna Siler

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Despite the significant progress in implementing palliative care interventions for cancer patients, few intervention studies seek healthcare clinicians’ input prior to implementation. The purpose of this research was then to explore palliative care and oncology clinicians’ (e.g., physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains) perspectives on current challenges and useful practices in meeting the quality of life needs of lung cancer patients and family caregivers, and to increase the likelihood of the adoption of a palliative care intervention based on understanding current trends in palliative care delivery at three outpatient oncology sites. The conceptual framework used for this study was the …

Coping As A Mediator Between Symptom Burden And Distress In Lung Cancer Patients, Spring F. Gehring

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Lung cancer is considered the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. An estimated 224,390 new cases of lung cancer are expected to be diagnosed and 158,080 Americans are expected to die from lung cancer in 2016 (National Institutes of Health, 2016; Siegel, Miller, & Jemal, 2016). Lung cancer patients also report the highest levels of psychological distress and symptom burden than any other forms of cancer (Linden, Vodermaier, MacKenzie, & Greig, 2012). Given the prevalence and impact of lung cancer, it is imperative to address the emotional toll this diagnosis can have on those suffering with the disease to develop …

Cancer Center Regional Benchmarks For Psychosocial Care, Desiree R. Azizoddin

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The American College of Surgeons (ACoS) Commissions on Cancer (CoC) formulated and implemented standard 3.2 for Psychosocial Distress Screening. This standard requires that all accredited cancer centers evaluate psychosocial distress and provide appropriate triage and intervention for all cancer patients. Over the past decade, Loma Linda University Medical Oncology Center (LLUMOC) administration, physicians, nurses, psychosocial care staff, and chaplaincy collaborated to implement a psychosocial screening and referral program throughout cancer patient services. This current research includes qualitative analysis assessing strengths and barriers of the psychosocial program at LLUMOC from the perspective of LLUMOC providers and two directors of Supportive Care …

Targeting Ledgf/P75 To Sensitize Chemoresistant Prostate Cancer Cells To Taxanes, Leslimar Rios-Colón

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most diagnosed cancer in males. This disease disproportionately affects African American men, with a higher incidence and mortality compared to other ethnic/racial groups. An aging male population and the complexity of addressing the health disparities associated with this disease puts PCa into the spotlight due to its serious public health implications and the imminent fiscal challenge over the next decades. Chronic prostate inflammation resulting in activation of stress and prosurvival pathways contribute to disease progression and the development of chemoresistance. Lens epithelium-derived growth factor p75 (LEDGF/p75) is a stressresponse protein that promotes cellular survival …

Radiosensitization Of Head & Neck Carcinoma Cells By Linifanib, A Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, Heng-Wei Hsu

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Tumor angiogenesis is a hallmark of advanced cancers and promotes invasion and metastasis. Over 90% of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) express angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Since radiotherapy is one of the most commonly used treatments for HNSCC, it is imperative to identify the interactions between antiangiogenic therapy and radiotherapy, and to develop combination therapy to improve clinical outcome. The mechanisms between antiangiogenic agents and ionizing radiation are complicated and involve many interactions between the vasculature, tumor stroma and tumor cells. The proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells rely on angiogenesis/blood vessel formation. …

Evaluation Of The Survival Effect For Various Treatment Modalities Among Stage Ii And Iii Rectal Cancer Patients In California, 1994-2009, Myung Mi Cho

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: European trials evaluating the effect of preoperative (PreOP) versus postoperative chemoradiotherapy (PostOP CRT) found no survival benefit. However, the effect of a change from PostOP to PreOP CRT has not been evaluated in a population-based setting. We sought to evaluate multimodal treatment changes and overall survival for perioperative (PeriOP) CRT versus surgery alone and for PreOP versus PostOP CRT from 1994 through 2009 among patients receiving radical surgery for stage II and III rectal cancer (RC).

Patients and Methods: We conducted a nonconcurrent cohort study evaluating demographic predictors of multimodal therapy for stage II and III RC using …

Update - February 2012, Loma Linda University Center For Christian Bioethics

Update

In this issue:

-- Cancer Stories: An Argument for Narrative Ethics
-- Dual-Degree Masters of Arts in Bioethics
-- From the Director
-- Finding a Voice for Seventh-day Adventist Ethics in the Radical Reformation?

Self-Reported Exercise And Risk Of Osteoporosis In Prostate Cancer Patients Receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy, Lori J. Mennen-Winchell

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Prostate cancer is stimulated to grow in response to testosterone. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) leads to chemical castration and suppression of prostate cancer cell production. Testosterone levels less then 300ng/ml decreases bone mineral density and could result in osteoporosis. Studies have shown that during the first year of ADT, fracture risk, mainly in hips and spine increases about 50%. In men, 40% of hip fractures result in death. Exercise may reduce the risk of osteoporosis and thus contribute to the prevention of hip and other fractures. There is limited data regarding whether exercise is associated with a reduced risk of …

Development Of A Lung Cancer-Specific Model For Support Group Interest, Laura Testerman

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Despite high levels of both emotional and physical distress and desire for utilization of support group services, lung cancer patients rarely participate in these supportive services. Lung cancer survivors’ interest in and use of supportive psychosocial services remains poorly understood, and Internet-based services may be of particular benefit to this population. The Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations, which emphasizes Predisposing (i.e., demographic as well as attitudes about support services), Enabling (i.e., accessibility of services), and Illness (i.e., need for services based on health) factors, was applied to the prediction of survivors’ behavioral intention to participate in face-to-face support groups (F2F) …

The Relationship Between The Level Of Support Group Participation And Psychosocial Factors In Prostate Cancer Patients Treated With Proton Therapy, Carol A. L. Davis

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background. The role of support groups for cancer patients is known to be beneficial in helping people adjust to the disease, and cope with the myriad of effects that cancer has on quality of life. Although many people express interest in attending such support groups, few attend regularly. It is unclear what characteristics distinguish those who use such services from those who do not, especially among proton therapy patients.

Objective. To examine demographic and psychosocial characteristics associated with the Brotherhood of the Balloon (BOB) prostate cancer support group membership, a unique treatment-focused group originating at Loma Linda University Medical Center …

Breast Cancer Screening Disparities In Japanese-American Women, Theodora Stratis

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Cancer screening disparities in ethnic minority women have received much research attention in the last several years due to a marked increase in ethnic minority cancer incidence and poor survival rates (Miller, Kollnel, Bernstein, Young Swanson, West et ah, 1996). Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for Asian American women (Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research & Training, 2002) and, although their incidence and mortality rates are lower than Caucasian women, these rates continue to increase every year. This increasing mortality rate is likely due to the underutilization of breast cancer screening by Asian American women. Asian …

Oxidative Stress-Mediated Anticancer Activity Of Novel Ahr Modulators Af & 5f203, Lancelot S. Mclean

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer tends to respond to anti-estrogen agents such as Tamoxifen. Approximately 40% of ER+ breast cancer is resistant to these agents and those that initially respond often acquire resistance. Estrogen receptor negative (ER-) breast cancer remains largely unresponsive to these agents. It is therefore vital to discover drugs that are potent in both forms of breast cancer. Aminoflavone, (5-amino-2, 3-fluorophenyl)-6,8-difluoro-7-methyl-4H-l-benzopyran-4-one; AF; NSC 686288) and 5F203, (2-[-Amino-3-methy phenyl]-5-flurobenzothiazole) are novel anticancer candidate agents that display potent in vitro and in vivo anti-proliferative activity against select human tumor cells with a unique anticancer activity profile in the …

Novel Binding Domains Mediate Binding Of Hpv 16 E6 To Fadd And Procaspase 8, Sandy S. Tungteakkhun

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

To evade the host response to infection, viruses have developed means to survive and propagate. HPV 16, a causative agent of cervical cancer and of some cases of oropharyngeal cancers, is one example. We have reported that the early viral protein E6 binds to proteins necessary for propagation of the apoptotic signal following receptor/ligand interactions, such as those mediated by FADD DED and procaspase 8 DED. E6 expression leads to the dose-dependent accelerated degradation of FADD and the protection of E6-expressing cells from Fas-induced apoptosis. Surprisingly, the splice isoforms of E6, E6_large and E6*, affect the stability of procaspase …

Effects Of Distress On Health Care Utilization In Cancer Survivors (Nhis 2004), Natalie Christine Kaiser

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Distress rates have been found to be around 43%, as indicated by a study of five comprehensive cancer centers and as measured by the Distress Thermometer (Jacobsen, et ah, 2005). Furthermore, few studies have examined the current health care utilization among cancer patients as predicted by distress. Thus, population-based data from the NHIS (2004) was analyzed using SUDAAN software 1) to ascertain the current levels of distress as measured by the Kessler 6 scale experienced by cancer survivors based upon demographic characteristics, family structure, physical comorbitities, and cancer-related variables, and 2) to determine whether distress rates reported among cancer survivors …

Predictors Of Emotional Reactions In Women Treated For Breast Cancer, Erin E. Ramirez

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Breast cancer can be a devastating disease that impacts a woman in all spheres of her life (Ingram, 1989). Previous studies have examined the impact of breast cancer on body satisfaction, as well as the impact on emotional well-being. Studies have also examined the role of the coping style that a woman engages in response to the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in the woman's psychological adjustment to the disease. However, to date, no research has introduced and tested a multifaceted model.

The purpose of this study was to develop a model predicting psychological maladjustment in women treated for …

Predictors Of Emotional Reactions In Women Treated For Breast Cancer, Erin E. Ramirez

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Breast cancer can be a devastating disease that impacts a woman in all spheres of her life (Ingram, 1989). Previous studies have examined the impact of breast cancer on body satisfaction, as well as the impact on emotional well-being. Studies have also examined the role of the coping style that a woman engages in response to the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in the woman's psychological adjustment to the disease. However, to date, no research has introduced and tested a multifaceted model.

The purpose of this study was to develop a model predicting psychological maladjustment in women treated for …

Thought Suppression Change In Cancer Patients And Survivors After Writing, Erin O'Carroll Bantum

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Breast cancer is a debilitating and many times fatal disease that will affect approximately 215,990 women in the United States alone this year. Treatment for breast cancer can involve many physically and psychologically straining features. The illness perception theory states that individuals form illness representations to make sense of health threats and illness. These representations contain a number of individual, specific attributes about the illness identity, and cause, time-line, consequences of, and cure/control of the illness. Many women who have experienced breast cancer have also been found to be keeping their thoughts inside. Thought suppression has been linked to many …

The Potential Role Of Ledgf/P75 In Prostate Cancer, Tracy Ruth Daniels

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The serum autoantibody repertoire from cancer patients is currently being exploited for the identification of tumor associated antigens (TAA) and the design of TAA arrays. Such arrays would facilitate autoantibody profiling and potentially aid in the serological diagnosis and prognosis of tumors. The goal of this study was to identify and characterize prostate-specific TAA. We observed that while the general frequency and titers of autoantibodies in PCa patients were relatively similar to those in matched controls, significant differences could be detected between the two groups in the autoantibody response to the lens epithelial-derived growth factor p75 (LEDGF/p75). LEDGF/p75 is a …

Psychological Factors Associated With Anticipatory Nausea And Vomiting, Melinda L. Nielsen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Many cancer patients experience adverse chemotherapy-related side effects. The present study examined the relationships among disease variables (i.e. stage of cancer, type of breast cancer), medical treatment variables (i.e. toxicity of chemotherapy regimen, strength of antiemetic treatment), psychological variables (i.e. health locus of control, anxiety sensitivity, desire for control, coping strategies), and anticipatory nausea and vomiting in women with breast cancer. One hundred women with breast cancer completed the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale - Form C, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index, the Krantz Health Opinion Survey, the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, and the Morrow Assessment of Nausea and …

Ionizing Radiation And Endostatin Gene Therapy Against Lung Tumor, Xian Luo

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Although many advances have been made in radiotherapy, tumor radioresistance and normal tissue damage continue to always be important issues for radiation oncologists. Numerous reports have also documented that radiation exposure increases the risk for malignancy and suppresses immune mechanisms. However, increasing evidence has suggested that anti-angiogenic therapy that targets tumor blood supply may alter abnormal tumor vasculature, thus synergizing radiotherapy. The governing hypothesis of the present study was that modification of tumor vasculature by antiangiogenic gene therapy can increase the efficacy of radiotherapy and that radiation can also improve DNA transfection efficiency by increasing expression of the administered gene. …

Comparative Perceived Breast Cancer Risk Before And After An Intervention, Constance F. Welebir

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Breast cancer screening has the potential of early detection, more effective treatment, and possible arrest of certain breast cancers, yet many women do not adhere to screening guidelines. With research showing that people use social comparison while making risk judgments, often holding optimistically biased beliefs about their health, women who maintain an optimism bias about their breast cancer risk may not practice routine breast cancer surveillance. Therefore, effective interventions designed to inform women of their breast cancer risks and to encourage adherence to breast cancer screening guidelines are necessary. This study investigated the role that social comparison plays in risk …

Effects Of Liposome-Encapsulated Tnf-Alpha And Radiation Against Colon Cancer, Dong Won Kim

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Previous studies have shown that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) can augment the antitumor effects of radiation, inhibiting tumor progression to a greater extent than either modality alone. However, nonspecific toxicities associated with TNF-α have limited its use as an adjuvant. This limitation is potentially resolved with the encapsulation of TNF-α in sterically stabilized, PEGylated liposomes (STEALTH®). Thus, the overall hypothesis of the research was that the combination of radiation with STEALTH® liposome encapsulated TNF-α (SL-TNF-α) will have greater efficacy and fewer dose-limiting side effects in the LS174T human colorectal tumor xenograft model compared to the combination of free TNF-α and …

Locus Of Control, Coping, And Anticipatory Nausea In Women With Breast Cancer, Melinda L. Nielsen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Many cancer patients experience adverse chemotherapy-related side effects. The present study examined whether the perception that one can control and effectively cope with her treatment for breast cancer mitigate against any nausea and vomiting that she may experience in anticipation of chemotherapy treatments. Seventy-five women with breast cancer completed the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale - Form C, the Krantz Health Opinion Survey, the Ways of Coping Scale - Revised, and the Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Emesis. As hypothesized, internal health locus of control was significantly positively related to positive reappraisal coping strategies. This relationship was moderated by …

Locus Of Control, Coping, And Anticipatory Nausea In Women With Breast Cancer, Melinda L. Nielsen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Many cancer patients experience adverse chemotherapy-related side effects. The present study examined whether the perception that one can control and effectively cope with her treatment for breast cancer mitigate against any nausea and vomiting that she may experience in anticipation of chemotherapy treatments. Seventy-five women with breast cancer completed the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale - Form C, the Krantz Health Opinion Survey, the Ways of Coping Scale - Revised, and the Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Emesis. As hypothesized, internal health locus of control was significantly positively related to positive reappraisal coping strategies. This relationship was moderated by …

A Preclinical Model Of Ionizing Radiation And Tnf-Alpha Gene Therapy For Cancer, Jun Li

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Long term control of high-grade brain tumors is rarely achieved with current therapeutic regimens. This study sought to determine if pretreatment with plasmid DNA expressing Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) could enhance the effect of ionizing radiation in an aggressive, rapidly growing glioma tumor (C6) model. Plasmid DNA is an attractive vector system for delivery of foreign genes into eukaryotic cells due to its advantages including low immunogenicity in vivo, lesser toxicity and relatively low cost. We have constructed a plasmid-based mammalian expression vector (pGL1-TNF) to secrete human TNF-α from cancer cells. Plasmid DNA was successfully transfected into C6 cells …

Antitumor Effect Of Il-2, P53, And Bax Naked Gene Transfer In C6 Glioma Cells, Peyman Haghighat

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

[Abstract not included]

The Relationship Between Tamoxifen And Depressive Symptoms In Women With Breast Cancer, Terry Marie Lynn

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine whether women with breast cancer and the presence of the drug tamoxifen, are more severely depressed than women with breast cancer and the absence of tamoxifen. Average Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores did not differ between the two sub-groups; however, two significant group differences were found. First, 10 women in the tamoxifen group had scores of zero (versus 4 in the absence of prescribed tamoxifen group). Research has shown that scores of zero do not always reflect an absence of depression. Second, the most severely depressed women (BDI scores in the 25 …