Cancer Treatment as an Accelerated Aging Process: Assessment, Biomarkers, and Interventions.

An accumulating body of evidence supports the hypothesis that cancer and/or cancer treatment is associated with accelerated aging. The majority of these data come from the pediatric literature; however, a smaller yet growing body of literature points toward similar findings in the geriatric population. This is a key survivorship issue the growing number of older adults with cancer face, along with the short- and long-term impact of cancer therapy on the aging process.

Validation of a Prediction Tool for Chemotherapy Toxicity in Older Adults With Cancer.

Purpose: Older adults are at increased risk for chemotherapy toxicity, and standard oncology assessment measures cannot identify those at risk. A predictive model for chemotherapy toxicity was developed (N = 500) that consisted of geriatric assessment questions and other clinical variables. This study aims to externally validate this model in an independent cohort (N = 250).

Prevalence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in unselected breast cancer patients from Peru.

The prevalence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations among breast cancer patients in Peru has not yet been explored. We enrolled 266 women with breast cancer from a National cancer hospital in Lima, Peru, unselected for age or family history. DNA was screened with a panel of 114 recurrent Hispanic BRCA mutations (HISPANEL).

Ex vivo detection of CD8 T cells specific for H-Y minor histocompatibility antigens in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

Immunologic disparities between minor histocompatibility antigen (mHAg) genes on Y (H-Y) and X (H-X) chromosomes contribute to graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects observed in male recipients of a female donor (FtoM) hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT). Using in silico prediction tools, a panel of HLA-A0201 restricted H-Y peptides was synthesized. Expression of CD137 was monitored on CD8(+) T cells after brief stimulation with the H-Y peptides in FtoM HLA-A0201 HCT recipients (N=29), and control groups (HLA-A0201 MtoM [N=18], non-HLA-A0201 FtoM [N=14], and HLA-A0201 female volunteers [N=25]).

Quantitation and analysis of the formation of HO-endonuclease stimulated chromosomal translocations by single-strand annealing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Genetic variation is frequently mediated by genomic rearrangements that arise through interaction between dispersed repetitive elements present in every eukaryotic genome. This process is an important mechanism for generating diversity between and within organisms(1-3). The human genome consists of approximately 40% repetitive sequence of retrotransposon origin, including a variety of LINEs and SINEs(4).

Predicting chemotherapy toxicity in older adults with cancer: a prospective multicenter study.

Purpose: Older adults are vulnerable to chemotherapy toxicity; however, there are limited data to identify those at risk. The goals of this study are to identify risk factors for chemotherapy toxicity in older adults and develop a risk stratification schema for chemotherapy toxicity.

Patients And Methods: Patients age ≥ 65 years with cancer from seven institutions completed a prechemotherapy assessment that captured sociodemographics, tumor/treatment variables, laboratory test results, and geriatric assessment variables (function, comorbidity, cognition, psychological state, social activity/support, and nutritional status).

Predictors of finding benefit after lung cancer diagnosis.

Objective: We examined benefit finding in patients with lung cancer, including level of benefit finding and change in benefit finding over time, and tested a predictive model postulating that greater impact of and engagement with the stressor promotes benefit finding.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with a primary lung cancer within the past 6 months (M=16 weeks post-diagnosis) completed measures of benefit finding, cancer-related intrusions, perceived stressfulness, coping, and demographic and medical information at study entry (T1; n = 118) and 3 months later (T2; n = 79).

Results: Level of benefit finding at both assessments was to a 'mild-to-moderate degree'.

Exercise and breast cancer prevention.

Epidemiologic research continues to confirm a strong inverse association between physical activity and breast cancer risk. New studies suggest that activity during adolescence is most important for premenopausal breast cancer. Long-term activity patterns are clearly important for postmenopausal breast cancer, although recent activity often highly correlates with long-term activity, accounting for its influence on risk.

Outcomes from intensive training in genetic cancer risk counseling for clinicians.

Purpose: Genetic cancer risk assessment is an emerging interdisciplinary practice that requires knowledge of genetics and oncology and specialized patient and family counseling skills. There is a growing need for cancer risk assessment practitioners, but most clinicians have inadequate cross-disciplinary training. An interdisciplinary course was developed to promote practitioner-level competency in cancer risk assessment to community-based clinicians.

Effects of a cancer genetics education programme on clinician knowledge and practice.

Background: Many clinicians lack adequate knowledge about emerging standards of care related to genetic cancer risk assessment and the features of hereditary cancer needed to identify patients at risk.

Objective: To determine how a clinical cancer genetics education programme for community based clinicians affected participant knowledge and changed clinical practice.

Methods: The effects of the programme on participant knowledge and changes in clinical practice were measured through pre and post session knowledge questionnaires completed by 710 participants and practice impact surveys completed after one year by 69 out of 114 eligible annual conference participants sampled.

Development of a cancer genetics education program for clinicians.

Background: There is a gap in knowledge about hereditary cancer and genetic testing among primary care practitioners. Education is needed to enable identification and management of patients at high risk for cancer.

Methods: A new cancer genetics curriculum was delivered through individual lectures and full-day conferences.