Browsing by Author "Williams, Kevin P"

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    Adaptive stress response genes associated with breast cancer subtypes and survival outcomes reveal race-related differences.
    (NPJ breast cancer, 2022-06) Al Abo, Muthana; Gearhart-Serna, Larisa; Van Laere, Steven; Freedman, Jennifer A; Patierno, Steven R; Hwang, Eun-Sil Shelley; Krishnamurthy, Savitri; Williams, Kevin P; Devi, Gayathri R
    Aggressive breast cancer variants, like triple negative and inflammatory breast cancer, contribute to disparities in survival and clinical outcomes among African American (AA) patients compared to White (W) patients. We previously identified the dominant role of anti-apoptotic protein XIAP in regulating tumor cell adaptive stress response (ASR) that promotes a hyperproliferative, drug resistant phenotype. Using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we identified 46-88 ASR genes that are differentially expressed (2-fold-change and adjusted p-value < 0.05) depending on PAM50 breast cancer subtype. On average, 20% of all 226 ASR genes exhibited race-related differential expression. These genes were functionally relevant in cell cycle, DNA damage response, signal transduction, and regulation of cell death-related processes. Moreover, 23% of the differentially expressed ASR genes were associated with AA and/or W breast cancer patient survival. These identified genes represent potential therapeutic targets to improve breast cancer outcomes and mitigate associated health disparities.
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    An innovative educational program for addressing health disparities in translational cancer research.
    (Journal of clinical and translational science, 2020-11) Oldham, Carla E; Gathings, MJ; Devi, Gayathri R; Patierno, Steven R; Williams, Kevin P; Hough, Holly J; Barrett, Nadine J
    North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and Duke Cancer Institute implemented an NCI-funded Translational Cancer Disparities Research Partnership to enhance translational cancer research, increase the pool of underrepresented racial and ethnic group (UREG) researchers in the translational and clinical research workforce, and equip UREG trainees with skills to increase diversity in clinical trials. The Cancer Research Education Program (C-REP) provided training for UREG graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at Duke and NCCU. An innovative component of C-REP is the Translational Immersion Experience (TIE), which enabled Scholars to gain knowledge across eight domains of clinical and translational research (clinical trials operations, data monitoring, regulatory affairs, UREG accrual, biobanking, community engagement, community outreach, and high-throughput drug screening). Program-specific evaluative metrics were created for three broad domains (clinical operations, basic science/lab research, and population-based science) and eight TIE domains. Two cohorts (n = 13) completed pre- and post-surveys to determine program impact and identify recommendations for program improvement. Scholars reported statistically significant gains in knowledge across three broad domains of biomedical research and seven distinct areas within TIE. Training in translational research incorporating immersions in clinical trials operation, biobanking, drug development, and community engagement adds value to career development of UREG researchers.
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    Perspectives on Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) Research, Clinical Management and Community Engagement from the Duke IBC Consortium.
    (Journal of Cancer, 2019-01) Devi, Gayathri R; Hough, Holly; Barrett, Nadine; Cristofanilli, Massimo; Overmoyer, Beth; Spector, Neil; Ueno, Naoto T; Woodward, Wendy; Kirkpatrick, John; Vincent, Benjamin; Williams, Kevin P; Finley, Charlotte; Duff, Brandi; Worthy, Valarie; McCall, Shannon; Hollister, Beth A; Palmer, Greg; Force, Jeremy; Westbrook, Kelly; Fayanju, Oluwadamilola; Suneja, Gita; Dent, Susan F; Hwang, E Shelley; Patierno, Steven R; Marcom, P Kelly
    Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an understudied and aggressive form of breast cancer with a poor prognosis, accounting for 2-6% of new breast cancer diagnoses but 10% of all breast cancer-related deaths in the United States. Currently there are no therapeutic regimens developed specifically for IBC, and it is critical to recognize that all aspects of treating IBC - including staging, diagnosis, and therapy - are vastly different than other breast cancers. In December 2014, under the umbrella of an interdisciplinary initiative supported by the Duke School of Medicine, researchers, clinicians, research administrators, and patient advocates formed the Duke Consortium for IBC to address the needs of patients in North Carolina (an ethnically and economically diverse state with 100 counties) and across the Southeastern United States. The primary goal of this group is to translate research into action and improve both awareness and patient care through collaborations with local, national and international IBC programs. The consortium held its inaugural meeting on Feb 28, 2018, which also marked Rare Disease Day and convened national research experts, clinicians, patients, advocates, government representatives, foundation leaders, staff, and trainees. The meeting focused on new developments and challenges in the clinical management of IBC, research challenges and opportunities, and an interactive session to garner input from patients, advocates, and community partners that would inform a strategic plan toward continuing improvements in IBC patient care, research, and education.