Medical Specialties Commons^™

Developing A Multidisciplinary Pediatric Cancer Predisposition Service At A Mid-Sized Children’S Hospital, Amanda M. Harrington, John August D'Orazio

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Roughly one in ten children and young adults diagnosed with cancer has an underlying genetic variant that may explain his/her malignancy. It is critical to identify patients with cancer predisposition syndromes (CPSs) to provide personalized cancer treatment, surveillance, counseling, psychosocial support, and in some cases, risk-reducing interventions to maximize long-term outcomes. Over the past five years, we developed a comprehensive pediatric CPS program at our institution. We engaged our institutional adult cancer center for clinical cancer genetic counseling services and needed research shared resource facilities. We also initiated a clinical study called “Project Inherited Cancer Risk” (PICR) to identify pediatric …

The Receipt Of Psychological Services And Acceptability Of Local Follow- Up Care For Childhood Cancer Survivors: Are There Rural Vs. Urban Differences?, Tyrone F. Borders, Abigayle Feather, Jerod L. Stapleton, John A. D’Orazio, Eric B. Durbin

Psychology Faculty Publications

Purpose This study examined rural and urban parents’ reports of their children’s receipt of general follow-up care and psychological services, ratings of the acceptability of common sources of follow-up care, and ratings of local/nearby follow-up care access and effectiveness.

Methods A cross-sectional, quantitative survey was conducted among 238 (139 urban, 46 rural adjacent, and 53 rural non-adjacent) parents of childhood cancer survivors (ages 2–17 and at least 2 years since cancer diagnosis) recruited through the Kentucky Cancer Registry. Bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regressions adjusting for predisposing, enabling, and need factors tested for differences across residence in urban counties, rural …

Developing Curcumin Analogues For Treating Breast Cancer, Tulasi Laxmi Nutalapati

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Breast cancer is still one of the most common types of cancer and one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths in women around the world. Despite significant advances in early detection and treatment strategies, drug resistance, systemic toxicity, and poor outcomes in aggressive subtypes continue to limit the overall effectiveness of cancer therapy. Natural compounds have become promising anticancer agents because they can target many different things and are not very toxic. Curcumin has shown promise as an anticancer drug, but it cannot be used in the clinic because it does not absorb well, breaks down quickly, and …

Ovarian Cancer Immunology And Immunotherapy: Editorial Note, Chris D. Platsoucas

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

[Introduction] As the guest editor of the Special Issue on Ovarian Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy, I would like to include certain brief comments on the current state of the field and to introduce the Special Issue. Ovarian carcinoma and malignant melanoma are the first human tumors where immune responses, primarily restricted to autologous tumor cells, were first demonstrated. T-cell lines and clones developed in recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) from these tumors exhibited cytotoxicity and/or cytokine production, primarily restricted to autologous tumor cells. The T-cell receptor (TCR) and the CD3 differentiation antigen on effector T cells and HLA on …

Understanding The Impact Of Psychosocial Barriers On Colorectal Cancer Knowledge In Emerging Black Men, Chelsey Mcgill, Maria D. Thomson, Caroline Kuno, Emmanuel Taylor, Kimberly Lawrence, Alison J. Patev, Arnethea L. Sutton, Ruth Nyagaka, Oxana Palesh, Larry D. Keen Ii

Research and Infrastructure Service Enterprise (RISE) Faculty Publications

In the United States, Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and the third leading cause of death among non-Hispanic African American/Black (henceforth Black) men. Inadequate CRC knowledge leads to missing early warning signs, delaying prevention and increasing risk. Emerging adulthood (18-25) is a key period for building healthy behaviors and addressing barriers to CRC knowledge in addition to understanding attitudes and practices to CRC screening. Psychosocial barriers - including social support, medical mistrust, and perceived racial discrimination - contribute to the lack of CRC knowledge among older Black men, yet emerging adult Black men remain …

Prognostic Factors For Patients Under 45 Undergoing Surgery For Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Seer Population-Based Study, Gabrielle Grob, Fang Fang, Matvey Karpov, Eric Feliberti, Marybeth Hughes, Rachel Burke, Winifred Lo

Department Surgery Faculty Publications

Background and Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has been on the rise in adults younger than 50. Surgical resection is a potentially curative treatment option for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). The aim of this study was to describe patient and tumor characteristics associated with disease-specific survival in young patients (<  45 years) versus older patients (≥ 45 years) with isolated CRLM.

Methods: The SEER database was queried for patients with CRLM who underwent colon and liver resection from 2010 to 2021. Patients under age 20, with metastases beyond the liver, or who had not had surgery for liver metastases were excluded. Cox regression was used to analyze demographic factors, tumor …

Clinical Outcomes With Perioperative Nivolumab By Nodal Status In Patients With Stage Iii Resectable Nsclc: Phase 3 Checkmate 77t Exploratory Analysis, Mariano Provencio, Mark M Awad, Jonathan D Spicer, Annelies Janssens, Fedor Moiseyenko, Yang Gao, Yasutaka Watanabe, Aurelia Alexandru, Florian Guisier, Nikolaj Frost, Fabio Franke, T Jeroen Nicolaas Hiltermann, Jie He, Fumihiro Tanaka, Shun Lu, Cinthya Coronado Erdmann, Padma Sathyanarayana, Phuong Tran, Vipul Devas, Tina Cascone

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Individuals with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with metastases to the ipsilateral mediastinum or subcarinal lymph nodes (N2 disease) have poor long-term survival. This exploratory analysis from the randomized phase 3 CheckMate 77T study assessed clinical outcomes by nodal status in individuals with stage III NSCLC who received neoadjuvant nivolumab plus chemotherapy followed by surgery and adjuvant nivolumab (nivolumab) versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery and adjuvant placebo (placebo). Here we show that among patients with N2 disease, nivolumab versus placebo improved event-free survival (1-year rate, 70% versus 45%; hazard ratio, 0.46 (95% confidence interval, 0.30–0.70)) and pathological complete response rate …

Impact Of Senescence On Breast Cancer Outcomes, Gracie Sous

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Cellular senescence is a biological process in which damaged cells exit the cell cycle while remaining metabolically active and accumulating within tissues. Senescence plays a complex role in breast cancer progression, largely through the secretion of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors. These factors include a broad range of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and signaling molecules that can influence the tumor microenvironment.

Studies suggest that senescence may significantly promote cancer metastasis. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the genes involved in cancer progression and to improve understanding of how SASP is regulated, which is critical for improving breast cancer outcomes. The central …

From Screens To Stress: Public Health Implications Of Cancer Worry In A Digitally Connected World, Shreya Mathur, Ethan Burns, Michael Pokojovy, Tzu-Liang Bill Tseng, Sunil Mathur

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Aims:

This study examines how digital information environments, genetic testing experiences, health behaviors, and psychological distress influence cancer-related worry among adults in the United States. It further considers the public health implications of elevated or reduced cancer worry for prevention and risk communication.

Methods:

Data were drawn from a nationally representative survey of 6,252 U.S. adults. Measures included reliance on social media for health decision-making, smoking status, history of genetic testing, and psychological distress. Multivariable analyses assessed associations between these factors and levels of cancer worry.

Results/Findings:

Reliance on social media for health decisions was associated with greater cancer worry, …

Blood Flow Regulates Metabolism In Hematopoietic Development, Pamela L Wenzel

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Blood flow modifies oxygen availability and biomechanical forces within the vasculature of the embryo as the hematopoietic system develops. The aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) envelops the largest artery in the body and is a critical site for the emergence of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Herein, I discuss the role of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) and force as determinants of metabolism and fate determination. To address the effects of blood flow on hematopoietic development, I employ mouse embryo models and biomimetic culture. Real-time cell metabolic analyses show that oxygen consumption rates (OCR) and extracellular acidification rates (ECAR) are altered by flow in cultures of …

Commissioning & Daily Qa Of Converted Linac For Electron Flash, Tomaj Javidtash

Theses and Dissertations

Ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) radiotherapy has demonstrated promising normal tissue sparing in preclinical studies; however, the lack of standardized dosimetry, commissioning, and quality assurance (QA) methodologies remains a major barrier to its reproducible and safe implementation. In particular, conventional clinical commissioning and QA protocols are not directly applicable at FLASH dose rates due to challenges associated with detector response, dose-per-pulse effects, and beam control limitations.

This thesis presents the commissioning of a converted Varian 21EX linear accelerator for electron FLASH operation within the Division of Medical Physics at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Department of Radiation Oncology. Comprehensive beam characterization …

Colon Cancer In Appalachian Kentucky: Unique Genetic, Microbiome And Obesity Findings In A Cohort Comparison, Zeta Chow, Jinpeng Liu, Daheng He, Chi Wang, Tong Gan, Akila Mansour, Nuha Shaker, Caroline Dravillas, Rebecca Hoyd, Eric B. Durbin, Dana L. Napier, Tianyan Gao, Kurt Schaberg, Lyen Huang, Neli Ulrich, Erin Siegel, Stephen Edge, Linda Cook, Bodour Salhia, Michelle L. Churchman, Jill Kolesar, Daniel Spakowicz, B. Mark Evers, Therese J. Bocklage

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

We investigated colon cancer genomics and microenvironmental features in the Appalachian Kentucky population, a group with the highest incidence of colon cancer in the United States. We assessed two inter-related risk factors for colon cancer (obesity and abnormal gut bacterial microbiome) and their genetic associations within this population. To evaluate potential unique characteristics of the high-incidence cohort, we compared 99 propensity-matched colon cancer tumors from Appalachian Kentucky patients to 95 non-Appalachian patient tumors to evaluate driver mutations, differentially expressed genes (DEGs), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) mutational signatures, immune cell …

Hexavalent Chromium Promotes Malignant Transformation Via Enhanced Translation Of Suv39h1, Yiwei Gu, Yanan Cao, Qing Ye, Yujing Zhang, Zhishan Wang, Chengfeng Yang, Side Liu, Qing-Bai She

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a widespread environmental carcinogen linked to lung cancer and other malignancies. Although genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of Cr(VI)-induced carcinogenesis have been extensively investigated, the role of translational control has remained largely unexplored. Here, we show that chronic low-dose Cr(VI) exposure in BEAS-2BR human bronchial epithelial cells activates eIF4E-driven cap-dependent translation through mTORC1-mediated phosphorylation and inactivation of the translational repressor 4E-BP1. Pharmacological inhibition of this pathway markedly suppresses Cr(VI)-induced cell transformation, cancer stem cell (CSC)-like properties, and DNA damage. Comparable inhibitory effects are observed following raptor knockdown, which disrupts mTORC1, or expression of a constitutively active non-phosphorylatable …

Rna-Micelles As Self-Assembling Structures For Efficient Co-Delivery Of Synergistic Sirna And Nucleoside Analogues To Treat Crc Lung Metastasis, Kai Jin, Piotr G. Rychahou, Daniel W. Binzel, B. Mark Evers, Peixuan Guo

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

SiRNA has been widely studied in cancer gene silencing over the last 25 years. However, few siRNA-based therapeutics have been approved by the FDA. An RNA-micelle platform provides a powerful therapeutic tool through simple one-step, high-yield production that is capable of efficient colorectal cancer lung metastasis treatment, a current lethal condition with a short survival rate post-diagnosis. Here, it is reported that the use of RNA-micelles co-carrying siRNA and nucleoside analogues to completely inhibit lung metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). The major advantage of the RNA-micelle is the successful co-delivery of siRNA and chemotherapeutic agent in a single delivery vehicle …

Geographic Clusters Of Human Papillomavirus-Associated Cancer Incidence In The Us, 2008–2022, Todd Burus, Krystle A. Lang Kuhs, Ashish A. Deshmukh, Haluk Damgacioglu

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Objective: Despite known state and regional differences, United States (US) county-level patterns of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancer incidence remain unexplored. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed US county-level HPV-associated cancer incidence rates from 2008 to 2022 using the US Cancer Statistics Incidence Analytic Database to identify geographic clusters of high and low incidence. Clusters were identified using the Getis-Ord Gi* statistic and assessed for differences in cluster-level sociodemographic characteristics and sex-and-site-specific incidence. Results: We found 373 hot spot and 409 cold spot counties, with median incidence rates of 16.14 and 10.62 per 100,000, respectively. Hot spot counties were particularly …

Case Report: Prolonged Response To Cabozantinib And Pembrolizumab In Treatment-Refractory Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Anna M. Reagan, Hannah G. Mcdonald, Jaewon Kang, Hoda Saghaeiannejad Esfahani, Caroline G. Wright, Charles J. Bailey, Carleton S. Ellis, Kaylyn R. Collette, Reema A. Patel, Mayte Murillo, Samantha F. Stokley, Michael J. Cavnar, Prakash Pandalai, Mautin T. Barry-Hundeyin, Jessica Moss, Joseph Kim

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Immunotherapy has yet to demonstrate durable efficacy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) despite the fact that pancreatic cancer cells have higher levels of immune checkpoint expression than other cancer cell types in which immunotherapy efficacy has been well established. We observed effective cytotoxicity with the combination therapy of pembrolizumab (an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, mAb) and cabozantinib (an anti-MET small molecule) in vivo. This served as the basis for an investigator-initiated phase II clinical trial (NCT05052723). The trial was open to patients with treatment-refractory metastatic PDAC with a single-arm treatment protocol of pembrolizumab and cabozantinib. Here, we report the case of …

Survival Of Patients Diagnosed With Cancer During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Todd Burus, Haluk Damgacioglu, Bin Huang, Thomas C. Tucker, Ashish A. Deshmukh, Krystle A. Lang Kuhs

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Importance  The effects of COVID-19 pandemic–related disruptions on cancer diagnosis in the US have been widely observed, but their impact on short-term survival has not been assessed.

Objective  To examine 1-year cause-specific survival (CSS) rates among patients diagnosed with cancer during 2020 and 2021 using high-quality cancer registry data.

Design, Setting, and Participants  This population-based cohort study of cancer survival between 2015 and 2021 used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 21 Registries (SEER-21) database. The population included individuals with an invasive cancer diagnosis and complete follow-up reported to registries included in SEER-21 between January 1, 2015, and December 31, …

A Phase 1 Dose Escalation Of Lapatinib And Paclitaxel In Recurrent Ovarian Cancer, Connie D. Cao, Joseph Robert Mccorkle, Donglin Yan, Hoda Saghaeiannejad Esfahani, Rani Jayswal, Dava W. Piecoro, Ning Li, Lauren Baldwin, Rachel W. Miller, Christopher P. Desimone, Charles S. Dietrich, Frederick R. Ueland, Jill M. Kolesar

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Objective: The development of ABCB1-mediated resistance limits the clinical efficacy of paclitaxel. Lapatinib is a small-molecule reversible tyrosine kinase and ABCB1 inhibitor that could prevent resistance. Our objective was to determine a recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of the combination of paclitaxel and lapatinib.

Methods: A phase 1 dose-escalation study utilizing a Bayesian optimal interval (BOIN) design in recurrent ovarian cancer patients was conducted. Patients were pretreated with pulsed lapatinib in the 48 h preceding weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m²) in 28-day cycles for up to three cycles. We evaluated three lapatinib doses, escalating from 750 to 2000 mg …

Dna-Pkcs Promotes Therapy Resistance And Metastatic Recurrence In Neuroblastoma, Mahnaz Norouzi, Subin Kim, Beibei Zhu, Chi Wang, Natalie Wu, Katherine Somers, Eddy Shih-Hsin Yang, B. Mark Evers, Eric J. Rellinger, Piotr G. Rychahou

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Purpose: High-risk neuroblastoma presents a serious clinical challenge with survival rates below 50%. Disease relapse most commonly occurs at distant metastatic sites and remains the primary driver of poor outcomes, emphasizing the need for therapies to target drivers of relapse.

Experimental design: This study identified DNA-PKcs as a critical determinant of poor survival and metastatic relapse in neuroblastoma patients. We evaluated which therapeutic modality—chemotherapy or radiotherapy—when combined with DNA-PKcs inhibition, more effectively reduces metastatic burden and prevents recurrence.

Results: Colony-forming assays revealed that established neuroblastoma colonies resist doxorubicin alone and require high-dose doxorubicin paired with DNA-PKcs inhibition to suppress progression. …

A Unique Protein Adjuvant For Precision Immunotherapy To Prevent Recurrence Of Surgically Resected Colorectal Cancer, Yasuhiro Suzuki, Rajesh Mani, B. Mark Evers

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Effectively activating protective CD8⁺ T cell immunity specifically against cancer antigens is an important pathway to prevent the growth of various types of cancers. A major obstacle in this approach is variations in cancer antigens among patients. A valuable material to overcome the antigen variation among cancer patients is the use of each individual’s own cancer cells for immunization. In colorectal cancer (CRC), approximately one-third of the patients who receive curative surgical resection have a recurrence of cancer. Therefore, the use of surgically resected CRC for immunotherapy to specifically activate the protective CD8⁺ T cells against their own …

Mental Health Needs Of Families Of Patients In Intensive Care Units And The Role Of Mobile Health: Survey Study, Anthony Faiola, Saira Soroya, Zhonglin Hao, Reinhold Munker

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Background: The experiences of patients with COVID-19 and their families manifested the most devastating effects of family separation since the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic and, with it, a call for solutions to patient isolation and its effect on family mental health.

Objective: This study examined the recent experiences of families of critical care (intensive care unit; ICU) patients related to anxiety and depression (AD), satisfaction with clinician-family communication, and counseling from mental health and social services. This study explored correlations between these factors and family interest in mobile health (mHealth) designed to improve information flow and communication from patient bedside …

Survival Outcomes Of First-Line Therapy In De Novo Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma With Histologic Subtypes: A National Cancer Database Analysis, Zin W. Myint, Feitong Lei, Bin Huang

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Background: Urothelial carcinoma with histologic subtypes represent an aggressive and understudied population frequently excluded from prospective clinical trials. Evidence guiding optimal first-line systemic therapy in de novo metastatic disease with histologic subtypes remains limited.

Method: Patients with de novo stage IV urothelial carcinoma with histologic subtypes diagnosed between 2016 and 2021 were identified from the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Eligible patients received first-line chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or concurrent chemoimmunotherapy (both modalities initiated within 30 days). Overall survival (OS) was compared across groups using Kaplan–Meier methods and compared using log-rank tests and multivariable Cox regression. Result: Among 800 patients, 596 (74.5%) received …

Person‑Level Health Factors Partially Mediate The Association Between Lesbian, Gay, Or Bisexual (Lgb) Identity, Allostatic Load, And Cancer Mortality In Nhanes, Justin Xavier Moore, Alisha Patel, Missy Spears, Tracy Casanova, Heidi L. Weiss, Marvin E. Langston, Keith J. Watts, Donte Boyd, Prajakta Adsul, Meredith S. Duncan, Sydney Howard

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Purpose: Individuals identifying as Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual (LGB) with high allostatic load have more than double the cancer mortality risk of heterosexual individuals with high allostatic load. This study explored how person-level health factors mediate the relationship between individuals identifying as LGB with high allostatic load and subsequent risk of cancer mortality.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 12,470 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001–2010) linked to the National Death Index through 31 December 2019. Survey-weighted Cox regression assessed associations of individuals identifying as LGB and allostatic load with cancer mortality. Person-level health factors …

Oncology Clinicians’ Attitudes On Hormonal Therapy After Chemoradiotherapy For Cervical Cancer, Morgan S. Levy, Marilyn Huang, Charles S. Dietrich, Denise Fabian

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Value Of Sequential Next-Generation Sequencing And Multiple Molecular Tumor Board Reviews For Patients With Solid-Tumor Malignancies, Allison L. Swiecki-Sikora, Lydia Williams, Ning Li, Donglin Yan, Evan Bryon, Derek B. Allison, Rachel W. Miller, Charles S. Dietrich, Jill M. Kolesar

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Purpose: Multidisciplinary molecular tumor boards (MTBs) have demonstrated improved clinical outcomes in various malignancies. Sequential next-generation sequencing (NGS) is widely performed at the time of recurrence, which may lead to multiple MTB reviews. This study assessed the clinical benefit of multiple MTB reviews for sequential NGS.   Methods: A retrospective cohort review was performed to compare patients reviewed once at a single-institution MTB and those reviewed multiple times for the same diagnosis with sequential NGS between January 2016 and December 2023. Demographics were compared, and regression and survival analysis was performed.   Results: In all, 3,702 patients were included, 3,446 (91.6%) were …

Case Report: Prostate Adenocarcinoma With Peritoneal Carcinomatosis And Elevated Cea Mimicking Colorectal Cancer: A Diagnostic Dilemma, Hala Majeed, Nathan R. Shelman, Jitesh A. Patel, Janeesh S. Veedu, Insija I. Selene, Ashlyn Whitesell, Zin W. Myint

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

This case report describes an exceptionally rare manifestation of prostate adenocarcinoma presenting with peritoneal carcinomatosis, rectal obstruction, and markedly elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), closely mimicking colorectal cancer. A 65-year-old man with localized high-grade prostate adenocarcinoma (Gleason 4 + 4) underwent robotic prostatectomy in November 2020, followed by salvage radiation and stereotactic body radiation therapy for early biochemical recurrence. He achieved an excellent response to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) combined with abiraterone and prednisone, maintaining an undetectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level for over 2 years. In late 2024, the patient developed hematochezia, narrow stools, and abdominal pain. Imaging revealed a rectal …

Eef2k Promotes Immune Evasion In Melanoma Via Cyclin D1–Mediated Stabilization Of Pd-L1, Yijie Ren, Darby J. Ballard, Anil Kumar, Andy F. Song, Mitiksha Gupta, Xiaofang Xiong, Xingcong Ren, Jugal Kishore Das, Jin-Ming Yang, Jianxun Song

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF2K) is a stress-responsive regulator of protein synthesis implicated in melanoma progression, but its role in tumor immune evasion remains poorly defined. We investigated how eEF2K influences programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression through modulation of Cyclin D1. We analyzed gene expression and dependency datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas and the Cancer Dependency Map. Protein–protein interactions were assessed by co-immunoprecipitation. Cyclin D1 was inhibited pharmacologically with palbociclib. Immune responses were evaluated in murine B16-OVA and human A2058 melanoma models using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry after genetic or pharmacologic modulation of eEF2K and Cyclin D1. …

Colorectal Cancer Screening In Carceral Settings: Barriers And Opportunities To Improve Early Detection Among Incarcerated Individuals, Daven K. Sarikonda Ba, Elijah Marquez Bs, Alexander Seidel Ba, Christine Larrea Bs, Jack S. Gurwin Bs, Maria Karla Bermúdez Piñero Ba, Suraj Suresh M.D., Laura Benjamins Md, Mph, Faap, Aahivs

Population, Patient, Physician and Professionalism Projects

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, with screening shown to significantly reduce mortality. However, incarcerated individuals experience substantially lower CRC screening rates and often present with more advanced disease than non-incarcerated individuals. Our project’s objective was to review the state of CRC screening in U.S. carceral settings, along with exploring possible alternatives to address the substantial disparity in CRC screening rates experienced by the incarcerated population.

Chemoradiation After Chemotherapy For Metastatic Cervical Cancer Can Provide Chemo-Free Time, Spoorthi Kamepalli, Ashley Chavana, Michelle Ludwig, Madeline Flanagan, Shelly Sharma, Tracilyn Hall, Anthony Costales, Jan Sunde, Claire Hoppenot

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Stage IVB cervical cancer is treated with a life-prolonging and palliative intent with systemic chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the number of these patients who had an adequate response to chemotherapy to be eligible for consolidative radiosensitizing chemotherapy and radiation (chemoradiation) and subsequent outcomes.

Materials and methods: This is a retrospective review of metastatic cervical cancer patients treated with chemotherapy and evaluated for treatment with consolidative pelvic chemoradiation at a single safety-net hospital system from 2016 to 2024. Demographic data and clinical information were collected from electronic medical records. Stata was used for …

Gender-Specific Behavior Reductions In Spontaneous Locomotive And Rearing In A Rat Model Of Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Pilot Study, Serena Jiyeon Kim, Kevin Cao, Patrick M Dougherty, Kathleen E Mcdonough, Saba Javed

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) from agents like paclitaxel causes sensory loss and functional impairment, with limited treatment options. To better model patient-relevant outcomes, we used open field video tracking in rodents to assess gait, anxiety, and exploratory behavior. This approach provides a more comprehensive assessment of CIPN-related deficits beyond pain responses.

Methods and materials: Adult male and female Sprague Dawley rats were given paclitaxel (Taxol; 24 mg/kg cumulative dose) or a vehicle over 8 days. Their distance traveled, time spent in the center and outer zones of the OF test, and rearing behaviors were recorded using a PhenoTyper 4500 …