Development of an Anti-Muc1 Antibody-Drug Conjugate with Specificity to Target Cancer

Ever since Paul Ehrlich, Nobel Prize winner and the founder of chemotherapy, postulated that “magic bullets” can be created and used to fight human disease, scientist have been inspired to develop precise and tailored drugs to target cancer 1. This vision came true with the development of a therapeutic that forms highly specific associations with targeted antigens by Kohler and Milstein in the form of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) 2. Huge advances have been made in the past decade with mAb therapy of cancer to treat many common malignancies with over 206 mAbs studied in clinical trials from 1980 to 2005 2,3. Despite these advances, cancer is still affecting and killing numerous lives every day. The monoclonal antibody therapy for cancer is deemed tailored because it specifically targets antigens expressed on cancer cells. Mucin 1 is a transmembrane mucin that is overexpressed in a number of metastatic epithelial cancers 4,5. Its expression correlates with an aggressive form of disease, poor response to therapy, and poor survival 4. The differences between the antigen in tumor and normal cells in terms of biochemical features, cell distribution, and function 5 provide an opportunity to use antibodies to specifically target and attack Muc1 positive tumor cells. Anti-Muc1 antibodies alone, however, have not proven to be sufficiently cytotoxic to kill tumor cells. Depending on type and stage, current cancer treatments include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. The goal of chemotherapy is to kill the fast-growing cancer cells. However, the drugs are often toxic so that they kill they normal cells in the body, leading to critical side effects. In this project, we aim to combine the high specificity properties of anti-Muc1 antibodies with the highly potent chemotherapeutic agent in order to identify a ‘magic bullet’ immune-based treatment that produces improved efficacy and leads to the specific destruction of tumor-associated Muc1 cancer cells

Aging in Bedford: A community needs assessment

This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of the Bedford Council on Aging (COA), to investigate the needs, interests, preferences, and opinions of Bedford’s population of residents who are age 55 and older. The contents of this report are meant to inform the Bedford COA, and other municipal entities, for the purposes of planning and coordination of services, but also to build awareness about issues facing the Town of Bedford’s senior residents

The Inequalities of Fraternity and Sorority Regulation on the Furman Campus

Group Projec

Behind the masks:A cross-sectional study on intolerance of uncertainty, perceived vulnerability to disease and psychological flexibility in relation to anxiety and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Early findings suggest the COVID-19 pandemic and related containment measures negatively impact mental wellbeing. This study compared the contribution and relations of three factors to anxiety and wellbeing during the pandemic in June 2020. These factors were: i) Contextual factors (e.g. exposure to COVID-19, being a keyworker, feeling lonely); ii) Cognitive appraisals: perceived vulnerability to disease (PVD) and intolerance of uncertainty (IU); and iii) psychological flexibility (PF). 603 participants aged 18 or older completed an online survey of self-report measures. Hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated PVD, IU and PF predicted state anxiety, and IU and PF predicted mental wellbeing. Some, but not all of the contextual factors also predicted state anxiety and wellbeing. The findings support cognitive appraisal theories and the PF model, lending support to an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) approach to public health during pandemics

Arlington: An Age and Dementia Friendly Action Plan

This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging (CSDRA) within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of the Town of Arlington and the Arlington Council on Aging. This plan was created uniquely for Arlington, with input from residents, community partners, local businesses, government leaders and aging experts. Surveys were conducted, focus groups were held and feedback was collected both pre and post-pandemic to create a plan that reflects the dynamic environment that we are all living in. Using collected data, survey results, feedback and input, this plan was written by the expert team at the University of Massachusetts Boston Gerontology Institute. The Council on Aging intends to distribute this plan to a broad scope of community partners, local businesses and decision makers in Arlington. We believe that prioritizing this plan will advance relevant projects that will have demonstrable impacts on how older adults live in Arlington. We are grateful to all those who took the time and effort to participate in the surveys and focus groups while input was being collected. Residents aged 60 and older make up the fastest growing segment of our population. Arlington seniors are especially vibrant, leading active lives and advocating in our community like never before. The priorities exemplified by the Age-Friendly and Dementia-Friendly designations reflect some of Arlington’s core values. The goals in this plan serve to inspire all our residents, regardless of age or ability. It not only represents our shared values but also our shared optimism for a brighter future

Swampscott for All Ages: A Community Needs Assessment

By the year 2030, 35% of Swampscott residents will be age 60 and older. In response to this demographic shift as well as in response to the desire of most residents to remain living in their community, the resident leaders of Swampscott, with support of the Town, have embarked on the journey to become a more age friendly community. They call themselves the Swampscott for All Ages Committee. The Swampscott for All Ages initiative is meant to ensure that Swampscott is and remains a place where older adults can comfortably and safely age in place. It is a resident-led committee with strong municipal support. This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of the Swampscott for All Ages Committee and the Town of Swampscott, to investigate the needs, interests, preferences, and opinions of Swampscott’s residents age 60 and older. Structured around livability principles embedded in the World Health Organization’s Age Friendly Community framework, the Swampscott for All Ages initiative considers physical infrastructure as well as social and service environments as it seeks to strengthen livability for Swampscott’s older residents. The contents of this report are designed to inform the Swampscott for All Ages Committee as it develops a plan for action to address the needs identified; and also intersect with and advise other ongoing efforts, including the development of the Swampscott Master Plan. This work also aligns with Governor Baker’s plan for an Age Friendly State

Lexington for All Ages: A Community Needs Assessment

The Lexington for All Ages initiative is meant to ensure that Lexington is and remains a place where older adults can comfortably and safely age in place. This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of the Lexington Department of Human Services, to investigate the needs, interests, preferences, and opinions of Lexington’s residents age 50 and older. Structured around livability principles embedded in the World Health Organization’s Age-Friendly Community framework, the Lexington for All Ages initiative considers physical infrastructure as well as social and service environments as it seeks to strengthen livability for Lexington’s older residents. The contents of this report are designed to inform the Lexington Department of Human Services and intersect with and advise other ongoing efforts, including the development of the Lexington Comprehensive Plan and the 13-town collaborative effort of the Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination (MAGIC) to advance regional age-friendly planning. Research in support of this report began with a stakeholder focus group in January 2019, where representatives from organizations that work with or support Lexington older adults shared their insights regarding the strengths and challenges of growing older in the Town. Subsequent data collection included two community forums conducted in March of 2019, during which residents offered input about the current livability in Lexington for older adults and their hopes for future improvements. A resident survey was mailed to a sample of 3,500 residents age 50 and older in April 2019. A total of 1,053 responses were received, representing a strong return rate of 30%. An additional focus group and two interviews were held in the Fall of 2019 to expand upon results from survey data. In addition, a demographic profile was developed based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey and several key Town documents were reviewed

An application of the prototype willingness model to drivers' speeding behaviour

We tested the prototype willingness model (PWM). The participants (N=198) completed online questionnaire measures of PWM constructs (time 1) and subsequent speeding behaviour (time 2). Path analyses showed that the PWM accounted for 89% of the variance in subsequent (self-reported) speeding behaviour. This significantly exceeded the variance accounted for by the theory of planned behaviour. In line with the PWM, both behavioural intention and behavioural willingness had direct effects on behaviour. Behavioural willingness had a significantly larger effect. Attitude and subjective norm both had indirect effects on behaviour through both behavioural intention and behavioural willingness. Prototype (similarity) perceptions had indirect effects on behaviour through behavioural willingness only. The findings support the notion that driving is governed by reactive decision-making (willingness), underpinned by prototype perceptions, attitudes and subjective norms, to a greater extent than it is deliberative decision-making (intentions), underpinned by attitudes and subjective norms. The implications for safety interventions are discussed

Child and family experiences with inborn errors of metabolism: a qualitative interview study with representatives of patient groups

Background: Patient-centered health care for children with inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) and their families is important and requires an understanding of patient experiences, needs, and priorities. IEM-specific patient groups have emerged as important voices within these rare disease communities and are uniquely positioned to contribute to this understanding. We conducted qualitative interviews with IEM patient group representatives to increase understanding of patient and family experiences, needs, and priorities and inform patient-centered research and care. Methods: We developed a sampling frame of patient groups representing IEM disease communities from Canada, the United States, and United Kingdom. With consent, we interviewed participants to explore their views on experiences, needs, and outcomes that are most important to children with IEM and their families. We analyzed the data using a qualitative descriptive approach to identify key themes and sub-themes. Results: We interviewed 18 organizational representatives between February 28 and September 17, 2014, representing 16 IEMs and/or disease categories. Twelve participants voluntarily self-identified as parents and/or were themselves patients. Three key themes emerged from the coded data: managing the uncertainty associated with raising and caring for a child with a rare disease; challenges associated with the affected child’s life transitions, and; the collective struggle for improved outcomes and interventions that rare disease communities navigate. Conclusion: Health care providers can support children with IEM and their families by acknowledging and reducing uncertainty, supporting families through children’s life transitions, and contributing to rare disease communities’ progress toward improved interventions, experiences, and outcomes