Faculty Publications

Abstract During the past decade, new therapies for colorectal cancer have emerged that significantly prolong survival times. The introduction of these new agents has resulted in changes in colorectal cancer treatment patterns; clinicians are now able to optimize therapy and minimize toxicity by developing individualized patient treatment plans using a variety of agents. Biologic agents, including bevacizumab, an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibody, and cetuximab and panitumumab, anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies, are among the new therapies now recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) colon and rectal cancer treatment guidelines for use in first-, second-, and/or third-line colorectal cancer therapy. According to the NCCN guidelines, patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer who are without contraindications are candidates to receive the anti-VEGF and anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies at some point during the treatment course.

The establishment of a reliable method for using RNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue would provide an opportunity to obtain novel gene expression data from the vast amounts of archived tissue. A custom-designed 22,000 oligonucleotide array was used in the present study to compare the gene expression profile of colonic epithelial cells isolated by laser capture microdissection from FFPE-archived samples with that of the same cell population from matched frozen samples, the preferred source of RNA. Total RNA was extracted from FFPE tissues, amplified, and labeled using the Paradise Reagent System. The quality of the input RNA was assessed by the Bioanalyzer profile, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and agarose gel electrophoresis. The results demonstrate that it is possible to obtain reliable microarray data from FFPE samples using RNA acquired by laser capture microdissection. The concordance between matched FFPE and frozen samples was evaluated and expressed as a Pearson's correlation coefficient, with values ranging from 0.80 to 0.97. The presence of ribosomal RNA peaks in FFPE-derived RNA was reflected by a high correlation with paired frozen samples. A set of practical recommendations for evaluating the RNA integrity and quality in FFPE samples is reported.

The goal of this study was to examine the degree to which Russian oncologists are trained in providing smoking cessation counseling to patients and to assess physician smoking cessation practices and attitudes about providing smoking cessation treatment. Sixty-three oncologists at a large cancer center in Moscow completed a brief survey. The results showed that Russian oncologists: (a) lack training in smoking interventions; (b) rarely offer cessation treatment; (c) exhibit beliefs about smoking that may serve as barriers to providing cessation counseling; and (d) desire training in cessation counseling. These results can be used to guide the development of smoking cessation training programs for Russian physicians.

OBJECTIVE: Although perceived control and coping have been studied across various health conditions, these relationships have been less well studied in the context of coping with cancer risk over time. The present study was a longitudinal study of the effects of perceived control and problem-focused coping on changes in psychological adjustment and behavioural outcomes among women at increased risk for ovarian cancer. DESIGN AND METHODS: Eighty women enrolled in a familial cancer risk assessment programme participated in this study. Assessments of problem-focused coping, perceived control and distress were collected upon entry into the programme and again at 3-month follow-up. Behavioural adherence to screening during the 12-month period following programme entry was obtained from clinic records. RESULTS: Using hierarchical regression analysis, we observed a significant interaction between perceived control and problem-focused coping for psychological distress, beta=0.94, p<.05. Specifically, problem-focused coping was associated with increasing distress over time among women who perceived high control. A significant control by coping interaction was also observed for behavioural adherence to pelvic ultrasound and CA125 screening, such that women who perceived high control and utilized problem-focused coping were less likely to undergo screening. CONCLUSIONS: Under conditions of high perceived control, problem-focused coping was associated with increasing distress as well as poorer behavioural adherence. Thus, perceived control and problem-focused coping may not always yield positive psychological or behavioural health outcomes. These findings contribute to a greater understanding of how problem-focused coping and perceived control may influence the course of adjustment to cancer risk over time.

(from the journal abstract) Objective: To pilot a worksite smoking intervention. Methods: Following baseline assessment, participants (N=6378) received cancer risk feedback; 2 annual evaluations were conducted. Results: Using all data, smoking dropped from 13.7% to 8.4% and 9.3%, and smoker's readiness to quit increased. Using complete data, smoking initially increased from 5.7% to 6.7%, but subsequently decreased to 5.3%; the increase in smoker's readiness to quit remained. Being male, younger, and with lower education and self-efficacy predicted smoking. Lower age and higher self-efficacy predicted readiness to quit smoking. Conclusions: These findings support a formal evaluation of a worksite smoking intervention using cancer risk feedback. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2005 APA, all rights reserved).