8 research outputs found
HPV Vaccination: Educating and Empowering the Next Generation
Vaccination against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is able to protect against 70% of strains causing cervical cancer and and 90% of strains causing genital warts, yet vaccination rates for boys and girls are still well below average vaccination against many other preventable diseases. Experts agree that patient education and strong physician recommendation of HPV vaccination of pre-teens and teenagers is essential in improving vaccination rates in CT. The objective of this project was to assess and improve understanding of HPV, its implications, and vaccination in a high school population in Danbury, CT. The education session significantly improved students\u27 understanding of HPV vaccination and subjectively improved their confidence in becoming health advocates for HPV vaccination.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/fmclerk/1223/thumbnail.jp
A breast cancer cell microarray (CMA) as a rapid method to characterize candidate biomarkers
Vulvar cancer in Botswana in women with and without HIV infection: patterns of treatment and survival outcomes
ObjectivesVulvar cancer is a rare gynecological malignancy. However, the incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated vulvar disease is increasing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. HIV infection is associated with an increased risk of HPV-associated vulvar cancer. We evaluated treatment patterns and survival outcomes in a cohort of vulvar cancer patients in Botswana. The primary objective of this study was to determine overall survival and the impact of treatment modality, stage, and HIV status on overall survival.MethodsWomen with vulvar cancer who presented to oncology care in Botswana from January 2015 through August 2019 were prospectively enrolled in this observational cohort study. Demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment, and survival data were collected. Factors associated with survival including age, HIV status, stage, and treatment were evaluated.ResultsOur cohort included 120 women with vulvar cancer. Median age was 42 (IQR 38-47) years. The majority of patients were living with HIV (89%, n=107) that was well-controlled on antiretroviral treatment. Among women with HIV, 54.2% (n=58) were early stage (FIGO stage I/II). In those without HIV, 46.2% (n=6) were early stage (stage I/II). Of the 95 (79%) patients who received treatment, 20.8% (n=25) received surgery, 67.5% (n=81) received radiation therapy, and 24.2% (n=29) received chemotherapy, either alone or in combination. Median follow-up time of all patients was 24.7 (IQR 14.2-39.1) months and 2- year overall survival for all patients was 74%. Multivariate analysis demonstrated improved survival for those who received surgery (HR 0.26; 95% CI 0.08 to 0.86) and poor survival was associated with advanced stage (HR 2.56; 95% CI 1.30 to 5.02). Survival was not associated with HIV status.ConclusionsThe majority of women with vulvar cancer in Botswana are young and living with HIV infection. Just under half of patients present with advanced stage, which was associated with worse survival. Improved survival was seen for those who received surgery
Rapid Characterization of Candidate Biomarkers for Pancreatic Cancer Using Cell Microarrays (CMAs)
Tissue microarrays have become a valuable tool for high-throughput
analysis using immunohistochemical labeling. However, the large majority
of biochemical studies are carried out in cell lines to further characterize
candidate biomarkers or therapeutic targets with subsequent studies
in animals or using primary tissues. Thus, cell line-based microarrays
could be a useful screening tool in some situations. Here, we constructed
a cell microarray (CMA) containing a panel of 40 pancreatic cancer
cell lines available from American Type Culture Collection in addition
to those locally available at Johns Hopkins. As proof of principle,
we performed immunocytochemical labeling of an epithelial cell adhesion
molecule (Ep-CAM), a molecule generally expressed in the epithelium,
on this pancreatic cancer CMA. In addition, selected molecules that
have been previously shown to be differentially expressed in pancreatic
cancer in the literature were validated. For example, we observed
strong labeling of CA19-9 antigen, a prognostic and predictive marker
for pancreatic cancer. We also carried out a bioinformatics analysis
of a literature curated catalog of pancreatic cancer biomarkers developed
previously by our group and identified two candidate biomarkers, HLA
class I and transmembrane protease, serine 4 (TMPRSS4), and examined
their expression in the cell lines represented on the pancreatic cancer
CMAs. Our results demonstrate the utility of CMAs as a useful resource
for rapid screening of molecules of interest and suggest that CMAs
can become a universal standard platform in cancer research
Rapid Characterization of Candidate Biomarkers for Pancreatic Cancer Using Cell Microarrays (CMAs)
Tissue microarrays have become a valuable tool for high-throughput
analysis using immunohistochemical labeling. However, the large majority
of biochemical studies are carried out in cell lines to further characterize
candidate biomarkers or therapeutic targets with subsequent studies
in animals or using primary tissues. Thus, cell line-based microarrays
could be a useful screening tool in some situations. Here, we constructed
a cell microarray (CMA) containing a panel of 40 pancreatic cancer
cell lines available from American Type Culture Collection in addition
to those locally available at Johns Hopkins. As proof of principle,
we performed immunocytochemical labeling of an epithelial cell adhesion
molecule (Ep-CAM), a molecule generally expressed in the epithelium,
on this pancreatic cancer CMA. In addition, selected molecules that
have been previously shown to be differentially expressed in pancreatic
cancer in the literature were validated. For example, we observed
strong labeling of CA19-9 antigen, a prognostic and predictive marker
for pancreatic cancer. We also carried out a bioinformatics analysis
of a literature curated catalog of pancreatic cancer biomarkers developed
previously by our group and identified two candidate biomarkers, HLA
class I and transmembrane protease, serine 4 (TMPRSS4), and examined
their expression in the cell lines represented on the pancreatic cancer
CMAs. Our results demonstrate the utility of CMAs as a useful resource
for rapid screening of molecules of interest and suggest that CMAs
can become a universal standard platform in cancer research