ASCO, Author Interviews, Cancer Research, General Medicine, Pediatrics / 01.06.2025
ASCO25: University of Cincinnati Provides Primary Care for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_68862" align="alignleft" width="147"]
Dr. Topalian[/caption]
Alique Topalian, PhD, MPH
Research Scientist
Family & Community Medicine | College of Medicine
University of Cincinatti
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors are diagnosed between the ages of 18-39. We have seen increases in cancer diagnoses in this younger population of about 1-2% per year with an estimated total increase of 30% between 2019-2030. Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors experience early development of chronic medical conditions compared to healthy peers. Due to their young age at diagnosis and living decades beyond treatment, they are also at higher risk for second primary malignancies (SPM) and late effects than older adult-onset cancer survivors. Primary care providers are responsible for most long-term care of survivors and many are unfamiliar with the effects of cancer treatment in younger populations.
Dr. Topalian[/caption]
Alique Topalian, PhD, MPH
Research Scientist
Family & Community Medicine | College of Medicine
University of Cincinatti
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors are diagnosed between the ages of 18-39. We have seen increases in cancer diagnoses in this younger population of about 1-2% per year with an estimated total increase of 30% between 2019-2030. Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors experience early development of chronic medical conditions compared to healthy peers. Due to their young age at diagnosis and living decades beyond treatment, they are also at higher risk for second primary malignancies (SPM) and late effects than older adult-onset cancer survivors. Primary care providers are responsible for most long-term care of survivors and many are unfamiliar with the effects of cancer treatment in younger populations.
Dr. Lopes[/caption]
Gilberto Lopes, M.D.
Professor, Chief, Division of Medical Oncology
Associate Director for the Cancer Center and
Medical Director for International Affairs
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: There is growing evidence linking alcohol consumption to increased cancer risk and mortality. This association was recently emphasized by the former U.S. Surgeon General, prompting renewed public health interest. In response to these concerns, under the mentorship of Dr. Lopes, we evaluated national trends in alcohol-associated cancer mortality using data from the Global Burden of Disease database.
Dr. Corley[/caption]
Douglas Corley, MD, PhD
Chief Research Officer, The Permanente Medical Group
Kaiser Permanente, Northern California
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) is an integrated health care system that designs and implements population-based programs that support cancer prevention and early detection. In 2006, KPNC began to implement a comprehensive colorectal cancer screening program with the goal of increasing member screening rates, preventing colorectal cancer through polyp removal, and reducing cancer mortality. The initiative identifies whether screening-eligible KPNC members are up to date with their colorectal cancer screening test by either a colonoscopy or by stool-based tests, such as a fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) kit. If they are not up to date with screening, it mails them a FIT kit for at-home testing. Members can also choose other options for colorectal cancer screening, such as a colonoscopy, through their physician.
Dr. Zeynep Gümüş[/caption]
Zeynep H. Gümüş, PhD
Associate Professor
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: The germline genome of each individual person has a unique combination of millions of genetic variants that influence virtually all biological processes throughout life, including cancer evolution. In this study, we have investigated the impact of germline variants – genetic defects one is born with – on gene expression and protein abundance in tumors across cancer types.
MedicalResearch.com: Would you describe the technique of precision peptidomics?
Response: We have leveraged a cohort of 1,064 patients with multiple cancer types to explore the impact of germline variations on cancer-relevant genes through multiple-omics layers: from DNA to RNA, protein abundance and post-translational modifications. To assess the effects of coding variants and their association with cognate proteins, we used precision peptidomics, which is the quantification of peptides carrying genetic variants from individual patients. Through this approach, we mapped 337,469 protein coding germline variants onto patient peptides, revealing their potential impact on protein modifications, protein stability, allele-specific expression, and protein structure by leveraging the relevant protein databases.
Dr. Sundar[/caption]
Dr. Mzoughi[/caption]
Slim Mzoughi, PhD