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Author Interviews, Cancer Research, HPV / 13.06.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Pragati Advani MD, MPH, DrPH Assistant Professor of Oncology, Department of Thoracic Surgery And on faculty with the Department of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Buffalo, NY MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: In oncology, a study of second primary malignancy (SPM) is an emerging field that is predominantly driven by our success in identifying and treating the first primary cancers (FPCs). HPV is responsible for nearly a third of all infectious agent-related FPCs (including cancer of the oropharynx, anus, vulva, vagina, cervix and penis). Advances in diagnostic and treatment methods have resulted in improved survivorship among these patients. However, they remain at risk for developing a SPM. No studies thus far had examined the risk of SPMs after HPV-associated FPCs, stratified by cancer site and gender. (more…)
AACR, Author Interviews, Cancer Research / 08.05.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Andrei Bakin, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncology, Department of Cancer Genetics & Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center – first author of “A novel combination immunotherapy for p53 mutant metastatic breast cancer leveraging vulnerabilities in the DNA damage response” and senior author of “Novel triple-drug combination strategy for p53 mutant cancers leveraging their DNA damage response liabilities” Christos Fountzilas, MD, FACP, Associate Professor of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center - and senior author of “A novel combination immunotherapy for p53 mutant metastatic breast cancer leveraging vulnerabilities in the DNA damage response” Mohammed Alruwaili, MS, PhD, newly graduated doctoral candidate in Cancer Genetics & Genomics at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, first author of “Novel triple-drug combination strategy for p53 mutant cancers leveraging their DNA damage response liabilities” (more…)
AACR, Author Interviews, Breast Cancer, Cancer Research / 08.05.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview responses from: First author Gokul Das, PhD, Professor of Oncology and Co-Director of the Breast Translational Group, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Chetan Oturkar, PhD, Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, first author on the study MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?  Dr. Gokul Das: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a very aggressive subtype of breast cancer for which effective targeted therapies are not available, and which rapidly becomes resistant to chemotherapy. TNBC tumors are negative for estrogen receptor α (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER-2/neu receptor. Endocrine therapy or HER2-targeted therapies are not effective against TNBC. Currently available options including immunotherapy benefit only some patients. They are cost-prohibitive and have severe adverse effects. Therefore, there is an unmet need for rationally designed therapies for TNBC. Although ERα is absent in TNBC, majority of these tumors express estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), a structurally related but functionally distinct isoform of the estrogen receptor coded by a different gene. Tumor suppressor protein p53 is mutated in the majority (80%) of TNBC. p53, when mutated, loses its tumor suppression capabilities, and instead gains oncogenic or tumor-driving functions.  One of the major oncogenic functions of mutant p53 is to bind and inactivate another tumor suppressor named p73.  The Das laboratory has been focusing on the mechanisms underlying the estrogen receptor β-p53-p73 axis for discovering rational and effective therapeutic strategies against TNBC. (more…)
Author Interviews, Cancer Research / 28.01.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Christopher Choi, PhD, MBA Senior Vice President of Industry Partnerships Associate Professor of Oncology Technical Director of GMP Engineering & Cell Manufacturing Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Buffalo, NY MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?  What is a GMP facility? Response: The opening of the Roswell Park GMP Engineering & Cell Manufacturing Facility (GEM) facility marks a significant milestone in advancing cell and gene therapy research at Roswell Park. Our GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) facility is a specialized manufacturing space designed to produce cell-based and gene-based products under stringent regulatory conditions to ensure product safety, quality and consistency. These facilities are critical for translating innovative research into clinical-grade products that meet regulatory standards for use in patient care. The GEM Facility is part of our commitment to driving the next generation of cancer treatments and other advanced therapies, addressing a critical bottleneck in the development of these transformative technologies. (more…)
Author Interviews, Breast Cancer, Cancer Research, Genetic Research, JAMA / 08.05.2020

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Anurag K. Singh MD Professor of Oncology Director of Radiation Research Leader, Cell Stress and Biophysical Therapy Program Associate Dean Graduate Medical Education, Research Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Buffalo NY MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: More than 40% of women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative early stage breast cancer with high recurrence scores (RS) have RS of 26-30. Optimal adjuvant systemic therapy in this subgroup remains unclear, and national guideline currently recommends either chemoendocrine therapy or endocrine therapy alone. In addition, the difference in overall survival of a patient with a RS 26-30 versus RS >30 is unclear.   (more…)