Publications by authors named "Jennie L Williams"

Understanding at the molecular level of the cell biology of tumors has led to significant treatment advances in the past. Despite such advances however, development of therapy resistance and tumor recurrence are still unresolved major challenges. This therefore underscores the need to identify novel tumor targets and develop corresponding therapies to supplement existing biologic and cytotoxic approaches so that a deeper and more sustained treatment responses could be achieved.

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While advances in screening have resulted in declining rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) among adults ≥50 years of age since the mid-2000s, the incidence of early-onset CRC (EOCRC) has steadily increased over the last decade. This increase is not fully accounted for by hereditary factors, and the hypothesis that a sedentary lifestyle and obesity are the primary culprits is not fully supported by recent reports indicating that many affected individuals lead active lifestyles, maintain normal weight, and are otherwise healthy. Attention has shifted toward dietary patterns, notably the consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods found in Western diets, which are suspected of disrupting the gut microbiome balance that potentially leads to EOCRC.

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Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, is the most diagnosed form of lung cancer. While lung cancer incidence has steadily declined over the last decade, disparities in incidence and mortality rates persist among African American (AA), Caucasian American (CA), and Hispanic American (HA) populations. Researchers continue to explore how genetic ancestry may influence differential outcomes in lung cancer risk and development.

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Article Synopsis
  • Colorectal cancer presents more advanced disease and lower survival rates in African Americans compared to Caucasian Americans, indicating significant health disparities.
  • The study found differences in tumor immunology, such as higher gene expression of tumor-promoting markers in African Americans' tumors and elevated levels of exhausted immune cells.
  • Results highlight the need for population-specific therapies to address these immunological differences and improve outcomes for African American patients with colorectal cancer.
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  • New chemotherapeutic agents, like phospho-valproic acid (MDC-1112), show promise for treating pancreatic cancer and have been effective in various animal models.
  • MDC-1112 significantly inhibits tumor growth and enhances the effectiveness of standard chemotherapy drugs like gemcitabine, Abraxane, and 5-FU, while it has limited efficacy with irinotecan.
  • Combining MDC-1112 with gemcitabine achieves a remarkable 94% reduction in tumor growth in xenograft models, suggesting it may be a valuable option in pancreatic cancer treatment.
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Aim: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cancer-related cause of death due to its propensity to metastasize. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a multistep process important for invasion and metastasis of CRC. Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is a zinc finger transcription factor highly expressed in differentiated cells of the intestinal epithelium.

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The incidence and mortality rates of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) are higher among African Americans (AAs) compared with Caucasian Americans (CAs). To assess the molecular properties associated with racial health disparity, three cell lines derived from colorectal tumors of three AA subjects were established. Cellular and molecular characterization of the cell lines designated CHTN06, SB501 and SB521 was performed using standard technologies, including immunofluorescence, electron microscopy, karyotyping, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, ELISA and immunoblot analysis.

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Pancreatic Cancer (PC) is a deadly disease in need of new therapeutic options. We recently developed a novel tricarbonylmethane agent (CMC2.24) as a therapeutic agent for PC, and evaluated its efficacy in preclinical models of PC.

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Article Synopsis
  • Colorectal cancer (CRC) rates are significantly higher in African Americans than in Caucasian Americans, likely due to dietary deficiencies affecting genetic and molecular characteristics.
  • A study analyzed DNA and RNA from CRC patients, finding that African American tumor samples contained significantly more hypermethylated regions compared to those from Caucasian patients, indicating notable differences in gene expression and potential cancer mechanisms.
  • The distinct DNA methylation patterns observed in African American CRC patients may serve as biomarkers to better understand and address health disparities between racial groups.
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Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality are higher in African Americans (AAs) than in Caucasian Americans (CAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to be dysregulated in colonic and other neoplasias. The aim of this exploratory study was to identify candidate miRNAs that could contribute to potential biological differences between AA and CA colon cancers. Total RNA was isolated from tumor and paired adjacent normal colon tissue from 30 AA and 31 CA colon cancer patients archived at Stony Brook University (SBU) and Washington University (WU)‑St.

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We report the synthesis and characterisation of mixed-metal binuclear ruthenium(II)-vanadium(IV) complexes, which were used as potential photodynamic therapeutic agents for melanoma cell growth inhibition. The novel complexes, [Ru(pbt)2(phen2DTT)](PF6)2·1.5H2O 1 (where phen2DTT = 1,4-bis(1,10-phenanthrolin-5-ylsulfanyl)butane-2,3-diol and pbt = 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzothiazole) and [Ru(pbt)2(tpphz)](PF6)2·3H2O 2 (where tpphz = tetrapyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c:3'',2''-h:2''',3'''-j]phenazine) were synthesised and characterised.

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Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. Notably, racial/ethnic disparities exist in both incidence and mortality.

Purpose: The aim of this case study was to investigate the impact of race/ethnicity on age at diagnosis of colorectal cancer in a defined population in Suffolk County, NY.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study evaluates ibuprofen and its modified version, p-ibuprofen, for their effectiveness in preventing colon cancer and their gastrointestinal toxicity.
  • Rats were treated with azoxymethane to induce cancer and then given either ibuprofen or p-ibuprofen over 20 to 40 weeks, showing both compounds significantly reduced cancer markers and tumor formation.
  • p-Ibuprofen exhibited lower gastrointestinal toxicity compared to ibuprofen, indicating its potential as a safer option for colon cancer prevention.
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NO-aspirin (NO-ASA), consisting of aspirin and a nitric oxide-releasing group, is safer than aspirin and effective in colon cancer prevention. Here, we examined the mechanism of action of NO-ASA by focusing primarily on its effects on the cell cycle. NO-ASA reduced the growth of several cell lines from colon, pancreas, skin, cervix and breast cancer much more potently than aspirin, with 24-h IC(50) values of 133-268 µM, while those of ASA were >1,000 µM.

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Nitric oxide-donating aspirin (NO-ASA) is a promising agent for cancer prevention. Although studied extensively, its molecular targets and mechanism of action are still unclear. S-nitrosylation of signaling proteins is emerging as an important regulatory mechanism by NO.

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This study critically examined the role of PPARβ/δ in colon cancer models. Expression of PPARβ/δ mRNA and protein was lower and expression of CYCLIN D1 protein higher in human colon adenocarcinomas compared to matched non-transformed tissue. Similar results were observed in colon tumors from Apc(+/Min-FCCC) mice compared to control tissue.

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Studies indicate that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-beta/delta (PPAR beta/delta) can either attenuate or potentiate colon cancer. One hypothesis suggests that PPAR beta/delta is upregulated by the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC)/beta-CATENIN pathway and a related hypothesis suggests that PPAR beta/delta is downregulated by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The present study examined these possibilities using in vivo and in vitro models.

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The inhibitory effect of NO-donating aspirin (NO-ASA) on colon cancer has been demonstrated in vivo and in vitro but its mechanism is still obscure. We investigated the effect of NO-ASA on angiogenesis. Four groups of athymic mice (N = 12) bearing subcutaneous xenotransplants of HT-29 human colon cancer cells were injected intratumorally twice a week for 3 weeks with vehicle or m-NO-ASA or p-NO-ASA; the fourth group received no injections.

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Nitric oxide-donating nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NO-NSAIDs) consist of a conventional NSAID to which an NO-releasing moiety is attached covalently, often via a spacer molecule. NO-NSAIDs represent an emerging class of compounds with chemopreventive properties against a variety of cancers, demonstrated in preclinical models including cell culture systems and animal tumor models; their potential efficacy in humans has not been assessed. Their mechanism of action appears complex and involves the generation of reactive oxygen species, suppression of microsatellite instability in mismatch repair-deficient cells, and modulation of several signaling cascades that culminate in inhibited cell renewal and enhanced apoptosis.

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Article Synopsis
  • NO-ASA (nitric oxide-donating aspirin) shows potential as a cancer treatment by inhibiting NF-kappaB activation, which is crucial in cancer progression.
  • NO-ASA was tested on various human cancer cell lines, where it effectively reduced NF-kappaB activation starting from 30 minutes post-treatment, with concentrations that minimally impacted cell growth.
  • The findings suggest that the growth-inhibitory effects of NO-ASA are linked to its ability to inhibit NF-kappaB, highlighting its possible role in cancer prevention.
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To evaluate the chemopreventive effect of nitric oxide-donating aspirin (NO-ASA), an ASA bearing a NO-releasing moiety, against pancreatic cancer, we studied six groups of female Syrian golden hamsters: groups 1 to 3 (n = 12 each) were given saline and groups 4 to 6 (n = 17) the carcinogen N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) s.c. in five weekly injections (the first, 70 mg/kg, and the remaining, 20 mg/kg each).

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