Cancer – Proceedings of the Texas A&M Medical Student Grand Rounds

Structural Mechanisms of PD-1 – SHP2 Signaling

July 7, 2020 Eric Zhang

Eric Zhang Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 3rd most common cancer globally, and the 4th most common cause of cancer mortality1. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) ranks as a major predisposing factor for the development of CRC, termed colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) when caused by inflammatory etiologies2. Src homology region…

Cancer

The Role of Selected MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in the Negative Regulation of Pediatric Retinoblastoma Progression

July 7, 2020 Ashtyn Zapletal

Ashtyn Zapletal Introduction. Retinoblastoma (Rb) is an autosomal dominant retinal cancer usually affecting children ages 15 months – 24 months, counting for roughly 9,000 new cases each year.1,2 Common treatments for Rb include intra-ophthalmic and intra-vitreal chemotherapy, as well as enucleation3. To mitigate the harsh side effects of these current…

Cancer

Efficacy of Calreticulin of the Unfolded Protein Response as a Drug Target in HNSCC

July 7, 2020 Jay Young

Jay Young Introduction: HNSCC has emerged as one of the major chemo-resistant and aggressive cancer subtypes4. Among prevalent cancers, it has one of the lower 5-year survival probabilities at less than 50%5. While the molecular mechanism behind treatment-resistant HNSCC has been revealed, the clinical applications of the research remains in…

Cancer

The Therapeutic Use of HIF Pathway Inhibitors to Reduce Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer

July 7, 2020 Gabrielle Young

Gabrielle Young INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer (PC) is the leading cause of cancer related death of men in American, and castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is the major mortality determinant; therefore, it has a lot of importance.1,2 Previous studies conducted have verified the importance of the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) pathway…

Cancer

Mechanisms of Increased ERalpha+ Breast Cancer Risk Due to Alcohol Consumption

July 7, 2020 Kimberly Walter

Kimberly Walter Introduction. Breast cancer is the leading cause of female cancer mortality worldwide1. Overall, 1 out of every 8 women in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime1. Some known risk factors linked to breast cancer include age, race, hormone usage, tobacco, fitness, and diet1.…

Cancer

MiR-182-Mediated Downregulation of BRCA1 and Upregulation of HMGA2 in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

July 7, 2020 Abigail Torres

Abigail Torres Introduction. Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of mortality from gynecological malignancy in the US due to a lack of screening and a lack of early detection. The most common type is high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC),1 originating from serous tubal intraepithelial carcinomas of the fimbriated end of…

Cancer

The Impact of Sex-Based Differences in Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM): Tumor Suppressor Proteins TP53, TP16, and TP21

July 7, 2020 Caren Stuebe

Caren Stuebe Introduction. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor.1 GBM is characterized as a grade IV glioma diagnosed with imaging and biopsy.2,3 With standard of care treatment of maximal surgical resection, radiation, and temozolomide chemotherapy, median survival is 12-14.6 months.1,2,3,4 Of note is the…

Cancer Featured Abstracts

Leptin’s role in Breast Cancer Progression & Possible Treatment Targets

July 7, 2020 Mikaila Singleton

Mikaila Singleton Introduction. Breast cancer is the number one non-cutaneous cancer among women in the United States.1,2 Leptin is derived from adipocytes and acts as a hormone that can advance the progression of breast cancer.3 Previously it’s been demonstrated that leptin can act via the LKB1/AMPK pathway to stimulate aromatase…

Cancer

Re-examining the Warburg Effect in Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Fatty Acid Oxidation and Src Signaling

July 7, 2020 Fariya Sahadat, MPH

Fariya Sahadat, MPH Introduction. In the United States, breast cancer accounts for 30% of all new cancers in women and kills about 41,000 each year.1,2 Women with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) experience poorer outcomes due to TNBC’s aggressive nature and refractoriness to treatment.3 Unlike receptor positive breast cancers, TNBC…

Cancer

Contribution of the ATRX Gene and the ALT Pathway to Telomere Length Regulation in Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)

July 7, 2020 Maya Ramy

Maya Ramy Introduction. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a grade IV glioma that accounts for 52% of primary brain tumors with a median survival of 14-15 months after diagnosis with current treatment measures 1-3. The majority of GBM arise via reactivation of telomerase which grants cells their immortality. However, in the…

Cancer