KLRG1 Cell Depletion as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy in Patients with Mature T-Cell Lymphoma Subtypes.

Purpose: Develop a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with subtypes of mature T-cell and NK-cell neoplasms.

Experimental Design: Primary specimens, cell lines, patient-derived xenograft models, commercially available, and proprietary anti-KLRG1 antibodies were used for screening, target, and functional validation.

Results: Here we demonstrate that surface KLRG1 is highly expressed on tumor cells in subsets of patients with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL), T-prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL), and gamma/delta T-cell lymphoma (G/D TCL).

Overcoming IMiD resistance in T-cell lymphomas through potent degradation of ZFP91 and IKZF1.

Immunomodulatory (IMiD) agents like lenalidomide and pomalidomide induce the recruitment of IKZF1 and other targets to the CRL4CRBN E3 ubiquitin ligase, resulting in their ubiquitination and degradation. These agents are highly active in B-cell lymphomas and a subset of myeloid diseases but have compromised effects in T-cell lymphomas (TCLs). Here, we show that 2 factors determine resistance to IMiDs among TCLs.

Characterizing cesium sorption in freshwater settings using fluvial sediments and characteristic water chemistries.

Cesium-137 (Cs) is a persistent contaminant that poses a significant risk to human health and the environment. Understanding the fate and transport of Cs following a contamination incident is necessary for effective containment and remediation. In this study, we performed experiments to investigate how Cs sorption processes are affected by sediment type and varying water chemistries to better understand how Cs is transported in freshwater settings.

Implementing a telephone based peer support intervention for women with a BRCA1/2 mutation.

Women with a BRCA1/2 gene mutation face complex risk management decisions and communication issues that can lead to increased levels of distress and unmet needs. We describe the implementation of a peer-support program that aims to reduce distress among women with a BRCA1/2 mutation, including peer and support recipient satisfaction with the program, challenges and lessons learnt. Participants with a BRCA1/2 mutation were matched with a trained peer volunteer (also a mutation carrier) to have regular one-on-one phone calls, over 4 months.

Randomized controlled trial of a telephone-based peer-support program for women carrying a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation: impact on psychological distress.

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of a telephone-based peer-delivered intervention in reducing distress among women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. The intervention involved trained peer volunteers contacting women multiple times over a 4-month period to provide informational, emotional, and practical support.

Methods: Three hundred thirty-seven participants completed the baseline questionnaire, and those reporting interest in talking to other mutation carriers were randomly assigned to either the usual care group (UCG; n = 102) or the intervention group (IG; n = 105).

Through the looking glass: an exploratory study of the lived experiences and unmet needs of families affected by Von Hippel-Lindau disease.

Despite well-established protocols for the medical management of Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL), families affected by this rare tumour syndrome continue to face numerous psychological, social, and practical challenges. To our knowledge, this is one of the first qualitative studies to explore the psychosocial difficulties experienced by families affected by VHL. A semi-structured interview was developed to explore patients' and carers' experiences of VHL along several life domains, including: self-identity and self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, education and career opportunities, family communication, physical health and emotional well-being, and supportive care needs.

Unmet support needs and distress among women with a BRCA1/2 mutation.

Distress levels among female BRCA1/2 mutation carriers can be similar to levels found among breast cancer patients. While psychological distress has been associated with unmet needs among cancer patients no study has examined this among BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. The objectives of this study were to: (1) describe the unmet support needs of women with a known BRCA1/2 mutation, (2) determine how unmet needs are related to psychological distress, and (3) identify variables that predict level of unmet need and distress.

How should we discuss genetic testing with women newly diagnosed with breast cancer? Design and implementation of a randomized controlled trial of two models of delivering education about treatment-focused genetic testing to younger women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

Background: Germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation testing offered shortly after a breast cancer diagnosis to inform women's treatment choices - treatment-focused genetic testing 'TFGT' - has entered clinical practice in specialist centers and is likely to be soon commonplace in acute breast cancer management, especially for younger women. Yet the optimal way to deliver information about TFGT to younger women newly diagnosed with breast cancer is not known, particularly for those who were not suspected of having a hereditary breast cancer syndrome prior to their cancer diagnosis. Also, little is known about the behavioral and psychosocial impact or cost effectiveness of educating patients about TFGT.

"For all my family's sake, I should go and find out": an Australian report on genetic counseling and testing uptake in individuals at high risk of breast and/or ovarian cancer.

Context: Despite proven benefits, the uptake of genetic counseling and testing by at-risk family members of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers remains low.

Aims: This study aimed to examine at-risk individuals' reported reasons for and against familial cancer clinic (FCC) attendance and genetic testing.

Methods: Thirty-nine telephone interviews were conducted with relatives of high-risk mutation carriers, 23% (n = 9) of whom had not previously attended an FCC.

An exploration of the communication preferences regarding genetic testing in individuals from families with identified breast/ovarian cancer mutations.

The responsibility for informing at-risk relatives of the availability of genetic testing for breast/ovarian cancer gene (BRCA1 or BRCA2) mutations currently falls on the probands. This study explored the support needs of individuals from families with identified BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations when communicating about genetic risk and genetic testing with at-risk family members. Thirty-nine semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with individuals from families with identified BRCA mutations.

The Relationship Between Noncoplanar PCB-Induced Immunotoxicity and Hepatic CYP1A Induction in a Fish Model.

Abundant literature exists demonstrating the immunomodulating effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). To date, most of the research has focused on dioxin-like coplanar PCB congeners because of their high affinity for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and cytochrome P450-inducing capability. For this study, the impact of two structurally different PCB congeners on the immune responsiveness of bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) was examined to evaluate the immunotoxic potential of each congener (as separate entities) and to relate effects on immune function with hepatic CYP1A induction.