Publications by authors named "Donna Fitzgerald"

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with a poor prognosis particularly in the metastatic setting. Treatments with anti-programmed cell death protein-1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in combination with chemotherapies have demonstrated promising clinical benefit in metastatic TNBC (mTNBC) but there is still an unmet need, particularly for patients with PD-L1 negative tumors. Mechanisms of resistance to ICIs in mTNBC include the presence of immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME).

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Pediatric and adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients encounter physical and emotional barriers. Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), including pacemakers and implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICD) often compound these issues. Patient fear associated with damaging the CIED system can lead to avoidance of physical activity and reduced quality of life (QOL).

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Refugia can facilitate the persistence of species under long-term environmental change, but it is not clear if Pleistocene refugia will remain functional as anthropogenic climate change progresses. Dieback in populations restricted to refugia therefore raises concerns about their long-term persistence. Using repeat field surveys, we investigate dieback in an isolated population of Eucalyptus macrorhyncha during two droughts and discuss prospects for its continued persistence in a Pleistocene refugium.

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In patients with metastatic cancer, spatial heterogeneity of somatic alterations may lead to incomplete assessment of a cancer's mutational profile when analyzing a single tumor biopsy. In this study, we perform sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and distinct metastatic tissue samples from ten rapid autopsy cases with pre-treated metastatic cancer. We show that levels of heterogeneity in genetic biomarkers vary between patients but that gene expression signatures representative of the tumor microenvironment are more consistent.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study examines the pathophysiology of COVID-19 by analyzing single-cell and spatial atlases from various organ autopsy samples of individuals who died from the virus.
  • Findings revealed significant changes in lung tissue, including impaired tissue regeneration and inflammation, indicating how SARS-CoV-2 affects different cell types.
  • The research provides crucial insights into the biological impact of severe COVID-19, aiding in the development of potential new treatments.
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Article Synopsis
  • The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to over 1 million deaths worldwide, primarily due to severe lung injuries and multiple organ failures, but there is limited understanding of the immune responses involved in COVID-19.
  • Researchers collected and analyzed over 420 tissue samples from various organs of 17 COVID-19 victims, utilizing advanced techniques like RNA sequencing to map out cellular changes related to their illness.
  • Significant findings include alterations in lung tissue cell types, such as the increase of specific progenitor cells and myofibroblasts, indicating impaired tissue repair and failed regenerative processes in severely damaged lungs.
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Purpose: This study evaluated development of edema in patients receiving PI3K/mTOR/CDK4/6 targeted therapy for metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

Methods: We reviewed medical records of 160 patients receiving targeted therapy with PI3K/mTOR/CDK4/6 inhibitors to treat MBC (n = 160; 185 treatment occurrences). Clinicopathologic data, treatment details, and edema incidence were recorded.

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We have developed a tumor vaccine in which patient-derived myeloma cells are chemically fused with autologous dendritic cells (DCs) such that a broad spectrum of myeloma-associated antigens are presented in the context of DC-mediated costimulation. We have completed a phase 1 study in which patients with multiple myeloma underwent serial vaccination with the DC/multiple myeloma fusions in conjunction with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. DCs were generated from adherent mononuclear cells cultured with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin-4, and tumor necrosis factor-α and fused with myeloma cells obtained from marrow aspirates.

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