Author Interviews, Cancer Research, Prostate, Prostate Cancer, Urology, Vaccine Studies / 08.04.2024
AACR24: Icahn Mt. Sinai Study of Autovaccination Turns Cold Prostate Cancer Cells Hot
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
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Dr. Nair[/caption]
Sujit Nair, PhD
Director of GU Immunotherapy Research
Department of Urology
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? How is the vaccine obtained?
Response: https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03262103
Dr. Tewari is the treating physician and clinical lead on the study. This is a phase I, open-label, clinical trial (NCT03262103) using a dose escalation strategy in 12 patients diagnosed with clinically localized prostate cancer with plans for surgery. The investigational agent used in the trial is Poly-ICLC, an immune modulator developed by ONCOVIR. Poly-ICLC is a double-stranded RNA that mimics viral activity, thereby stimulating the immune response.
Dr. Nair[/caption]
Sujit Nair, PhD
Director of GU Immunotherapy Research
Department of Urology
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? How is the vaccine obtained?
Response: https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03262103
Dr. Tewari is the treating physician and clinical lead on the study. This is a phase I, open-label, clinical trial (NCT03262103) using a dose escalation strategy in 12 patients diagnosed with clinically localized prostate cancer with plans for surgery. The investigational agent used in the trial is Poly-ICLC, an immune modulator developed by ONCOVIR. Poly-ICLC is a double-stranded RNA that mimics viral activity, thereby stimulating the immune response.

Dr. Solgama[/caption]
Jay P. Solgama
Medical Student
Department of Medical Education
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Scranton PA
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: The opioid crisis in the United States continues to escalate, with opioid-related deaths increasing by over 800% since 2000. Prescription opioids, particularly oxycodone, have been a contributor to this crisis, with substantial variations in their distribution observed across different states [1,2,3].
Against this backdrop, the study conducted by researchers from the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine aimed to characterize the distribution of oxycodone across US states from 2000 to 2021. By analyzing data from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s comprehensive Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System (ARCOS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging ONline Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) databases, the study sought to identify trends and patterns in oxycodone distribution and their potential implications for opioid-related deaths [4,5].
Dr. Thomas Robert[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Thomas Robert, MD, AIX
Associate Professor of Nephrology
APHM (Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Marseille)
Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
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Dr. Letavernier[/caption]
Prof. Emmanuel Letavernier, MD PhD
Nephrologist at Tenon Hospital
Paris, France
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Our work was prompted by emerging concerns surrounding the potential nephrotoxic effects of hair-straightening products containing glyoxylic acid. This inquiry was instigated by a patient who experienced three repeated acute episodes of kidney injury in June 2020, April 2021, and July 2022, each occurring shortly after a hair-straightening procedure. Notably, these episodes resolved with hydration.
Upon examining the composition of the hair product used by the patient, which contained glyoxylic acid, and considering the patient's report of painful ulcer scalp during application and subsequent scalp scarring, we suspected a potential link between exposure to glyoxylic acid and kidney injury. Consulting with my colleague, Professor Emmanuel Letavenier, a specialist in crystalline nephropathy at Paris, confirmed this suspicion.
In summer 2023, cases series have been reported by an Israeli team (
Dr. Cortese[/caption]
Marianna Cortese, MD, PhD
Senior Research Scientist
Dr. Fangqun Yu[/caption]
Dr. Fangqun Yu PhD
Senior Research Faculty
Atmospheric Sciences Research Center University
Albany, State University of New York
Dr. Arshad Nair[/caption]
Dr. Arshad Arjunan Nair PhD
Postdoctoral Associate
Atmospheric Sciences Research Center
University at Albany, State University of New York
Skilled