Grant Archive - Page 41 of 143

Sorbarikor Piawah, MD

FUNDED BY THE STUART SCOTT MEMORIAL CANCER RESEARCH FUND WITH SUPPORT FROM BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB

For the past 20 years, the number of people under the age of 50 who are diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer has been rising very quickly, especially among Latinos living in the US and in Mexico. In fact, it is predicted that in the next 10 years, 1 in 10 colon cancer cases, and 1 in 4 rectal cancer cases will be in people younger than the age of 50. Currently, very little is known about the reasons behind this. We think that the food we eat, and our behaviors may play a role in getting colon and rectal cancer. We also think that the type of bacteria in our gut may predispose certain people to getting cancer at a younger age.

In order to explore this, we plan to invite 90 people in California and Mexico City, who identify as Latino, and who were younger that 50 when they were diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer to participate in our study. We will ask them to collect one stool sample at home, and will study the bacteria in that sample as well their tumors. We will also collect detailed information about the foods they eat, and their background using surveys. Overall, we hope to gather very important information that could help us understand why colon and rectal cancer is on the rise among younger people. This information could also help us identify new ways of preventing colon and rectal cancer in the future.

Jasmine McDonald, PhD

FUNDED BY THE STUART SCOTT MEMORIAL CANCER RESEARCH FUND

Understanding young women’s breast cancer is a public health priority. In the United States, the rate of metastatic breast cancer is rising faster in women aged 25-39 compared to older women. Pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer for 10 years after birth. Being diagnosed with breast cancer during this period is called postpartum breast cancer (PPBC). PPBC tumors are often more life threatening. Also, while breastfeeding reduces breast cancer risk, we do not know how breastfeeding impacts PPBC. Identifying unique tissue features within the PPBC tumor could lead to better outcomes. We will use the New York Breast Cancer Family Registry to analyze tumor tissue from 150 women. 50 samples from women diagnosed with breast cancer less than 5 years from childbirth (PPBC cases). 50 samples from women diagnosed more than 10 years from childbirth. 50 samples from women diagnosed who have never given birth. We will stain the tumor tissue with four biological markers. These markers have been associated with the spread of breast cancer and death from breast cancer. Staining, or adding coloring, to the tumor tissue will help identify unique features across the breast cancer cases.

Aim 1: Identify unique features within the tumor samples using the four markers in 150 cases.

Aim 2: Examine if the unique features predict breast cancer clinical features in 150 cases.

We know little about the PPBC tumor tissue. Identifying unique tissue features that map to the PPBC tumor can improve survival outcomes for young adult patients.

Catherine Marshall, MD

FUNDED BY THE STUART SCOTT MEMORIAL CANCER RESEARCH FUND WITH SUPPORT FROM BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB

Heart disease and low blood counts are common complications for men with prostate cancer.   There are some reasons why this might happen that are already known – either because of the cancer itself or because of some of the treatments for cancer.  Recently, scientists have found that white blood cell clones (cells that all come from one cell; called CHIP) have changes in their DNA that might put people at higher risk for heart disease, complications with blood counts, and death.  CHIP, like prostate cancer, is associated with age, and may be contributing to heart disease and blood count problems we see in men with prostate cancer.  This study will look to see if men who have CHIP with prostate cancer have worse outcomes and if new treatments for prostate cancer contribute to CHIP. 

Verline Justilien, PhD

FUNDED BY THE STUART SCOTT MEMORIAL CANCER RESEARCH FUND WITH SUPPORT FROM BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for the majority of lung cancer diagnoses and has a very low survival rate. There is a sub-population of cells within NSCLC tumors called cancer stem cells (CSCs) that are highly aggressive. These CSCs are capable of fueling the growth and metastasis of tumors and have been shown to be resistant to current drug treatments for NSCLC. Therefore, CSCs must be eliminated to effectively treat and gain lasting remission in patients with NSCLC. CSCs can communicate with other cells in a tumor by transferring information packaged within small particles called extracellular vesicles (EVs). We hypothesize that the molecules packaged within EVs from CSCs can make non-CSCs within NSCLC tumors more aggressive by increasing their ability to grow and metastasize. We propose to identify the molecules packaged within NSCLC CSC EVs. We also aim to block the function of the molecules within the CSC EVs to prevent the growth of NSCLC cancer cells. Completion of these studies will provide new information about how CSCs function to make NSCLC deadly. In addition, these studies will help in the design of new strategies to eliminate NSCLC CSCs which may provide effective, long-term treatment for NSCLC patients.

Avery Posey, Jr., PhD

FUNDED BY THE STUART SCOTT MEMORIAL CANCER RESEARCH FUND WITH SUPPORT FROM BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB

Immune cell-based therapies represent the latest pillar of cancer therapy. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells have demonstrated significant anti-tumor activity against B cell leukemia and lymphoma and similar efficacies against multiple myeloma. CAR-NK cells are a newer addition to the cellular immunotherapy field but have already shown impressive results in the treatment of lymphoma. In this project, we will evaluate the activity of CAR-T and CAR-NK cell therapies targeting BCMA and TnMUC1 as single agents and combination strategies for the treatment of multiple myeloma. In addition, we will develop methods to enhance the efficacy and persistence of NK-cell based therapies through strategies to overcome immunosuppression. Successful completion of this project would generate novel and enhanced therapeutic strategies to treat multiple myeloma with immune cell-based therapies.

Sascha Tuchman, MD, MHS

Funded by the 2020 Victory Ride to Cure Cancer

African Americans develop a form of blood cancer called multiple myeloma more often than Caucasians. On average, African Americans live less long with it. That may be in part because African Americans take part in clinical trials less often. Clinical trials are studies designed to develop new treatment drugs. Those trials can sometimes help people to live longer with this illness. We are trying to improve how many take part in clinical trials at UNC. We are creating an easier, more comfortable doctors’ office to get care at and take part in trials at UNC. We are making it easier for African American researchers at UNC to work on this important issue. We will make a video that shows what clinical research is. It will show why it can be helpful to take part in research. The video will be shown to African Americans and other patients treated at UNC. The UNC team will compare how many African Americans join multiple myeloma trials before and during this grant. If more African Americans enroll in multiple myeloma trials after the grant begins, it would show that these efforts have helped solve this problem. That may help African Americans with multiple myeloma to live longer. IT will also help make important progress in this research.

Linda Sutton, MD

Funded by the 2020 Victory Ride to Cure Cancer

Cancer is caused by changes that happen in the genes of cancer cells. Special tests can find genes that start or promote cancer growth. New drugs can target cancer causing genes and kill cancer cells. The Duke project team wants to increase awareness and use of both the special tests and the new drugs. The project will bring a group of experts together to talk about patient cases and help find the best medicine for patients. If medicines are not available, the project team can find clinical trial options for patients. The team will also provide training to doctors and nurses on new tests for cancer genes and medicines. We will create information to help patients learn about the special gene tests and how the results can help the doctors choose the right medicine to treat their cancer. When the project is finished, the team hopes to provide the information and tools created to other local doctor’s offices and patients.

Manali Bhave, MD

Funded by Hooters of America, LLC

There have been significant advances in the treatment of patients living with metastatic breast cancer. Some of these advances are due to a fairly new type of technology looking at changes in the DNA of the tumor (somatic next-generation sequencing (NGS)) and/or in patient’s normal cells (germline NGS) that may impact a patient’s prognosis and/or treatment options, including the opportunity to enroll on clinical trials.

Very few studies have looked at patient understanding and knowledge on this type of advanced testing (next-generation sequencing), though of the studies available, there appears to be a low level of patient knowledge on next-generation sequencing and a gap in expectations as to how this form of testing can impact a patient’s clinical care.

The aim of our study is to increase the enrollment of patients with metastatic breast cancer into clinical trials that match patients to specific therapies based on their NGS through 1) increasing patient knowledge and understanding of NGS and 2) using the education tool to identify the change in the rate of NGS testing, as well as change of treatment recommendations based on these results.

Ronny Bell, PhD

Funded by the 2020 Victory Ride to Cure Cancer

African Americans have the highest percentage of new cancer cases in the United States and the worst outcomes. Other diverse populations have difficulty getting to a cancer treatment center or need help figuring out the system one they arrive. Some people die from cancers that can be prevented or treated, simply because they are not aware of all of the treatment options. Cancer care can be very difficult because many times a patient has more than one doctor who is part of their care team. This can be scary and may make some people choose not to get cancer treatment, even if they can be cured. WFBCCC wants to make sure that everyone has access to the best cancer care possible. This may include patients participating in research that may improve outcomes for them but also may help provide information that can help tailor treatments for the next generation of cancer patients. It is important to make sure all populations are represented in studies that look at new treatments or supports for cancer patients. To meet that goal, we created a population health navigator program- people who are from the community who can help people learn about cancer, how to prevent it, what screening is required and what treatments are available. If someone is diagnosed with cancer, the navigator will assist that person by helping to remove barriers to care and will talk with patients about clinical research as part of their care.

Kristen Whitaker, MD

Funded by Hooters of America, LLC

Clinical trials test new treatments for patients. Clinical trials also help doctors learn what type of treatments work best for what patients. It is important for patients to participate in clinical trials so that we can continue to develop new treatments and improve the care of cancer patients. Very few adult patients with cancer join clinical trials. Black patients participate in trials less than white patients. We have learned several of the reasons that black patients are less likely to join clinical trials. Using what we have previously learned we will create an educational brochure designed specifically for black patients with breast cancer to see if it helps address some of the unique concerns black women have about joining clinical trials.