bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Abstract A63: Outcome disparities in high-grade soft tissue sarcomas: A comprehensive cancer center's experience
Authors: Lewis Valerae O. , DeComas Amalia M. , Wen Sijin , Lin Patrick P. , Moon Bryan S. , Satcher Robert L. , Pollock Raphael E. , Thall Peter F. 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Recent studies in cancer treatment have identified higher perioperative mortality and lower long-term survival among blacks relative to whites. The largest disparities in survival occur among patients with solid tumors for which appropriate and high quality treatment is an important prognostic factor. Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) require specialized multidisciplinary care. However, the influence of race/ethnicity has not been examined.
A single institution retrospective study was performed on all high grade STS of the extremities treated from 1991 thru 2007. Multivariate analyses including gender, age, race, disease stage, tumor size, presentation at multidisciplinary conference, prior surgery, comorbidities, definitive surgery, margin, chemotherapy, radiation, distance to hospital, income and payor method were conducted to assess association with overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS). Distributions of patient characteristics were assessed, unadjusted OS and EFS distributions were estimated and compared between subgroups, and effects of covariates on OS and EFS were assessed using standard statistical techniques.
The study included 697 patients (311 females and 386 males) with high grade STS. 9.6% were African American (AA), 73.9% were White and 16.5% were Hispanic. 7.0 yrs (95%CI: 6.6–7.4 yrs). Age, male, AA, large tumor size, chemotherapy and no insurance were significantly associated with shorter OS and EFS. Stage 3/4 disease and radiation were significantly associated with OS and EFS, respectively. African Americans presented with larger tumor size (p&lt;0.0001), a higher rate of metastatic disease (p=.001), and in univariate analyses, had worse OS (p&lt;0.001) and EFS (p=.0022). Patients with low/middle income or without medical insurance had worse OS. African Americans and Hispanics had significantly lower income compared to Whites (p&lt;0.0001), and were less likely to have medical insurance (p&lt;0.0001). Among the uninsured, African Americans had worse OS (p&lt;0.0001).
Despite treatment at a comprehensive cancer center, African Americans with STS universally had poorer outcomes. The cause for these racial disparities is multifactorial and encompasses both patient factors and health care system effects. The higher mortality of African Americans seen here may be due to underuse of primary medical care, resulting in later disease stage at diagnosis.
Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):A63.
Abstract A67: IL-16 variants associated with prostate cancer risk in African Americans
Authors: Batai Ken , Beisner Erin , Shah Ebony , Castaneda Lauren , Smith Demetria , Murphy Adam , Kittles Rick A. 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Background: Prostate cancer (Pca) is the most common type of cancer among men in the United States, and its disproportionate incidence and mortality rates among ethnic groups are likely due to a combination of genes and environmental factors. While genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of European descents have identified candidate loci associated with Pca risk, including rs4072111 located in IL-16, the replication studies in African Americans (AAs) have been inconsistent, and GWASs have not yet produced many findings to resolve Pca health disparities. IL-16 is over-expressed in tumor cells possibly mediating expression of other cytokines that promote tumor growth. Here we explore SNP variation in IL-16 in AAs and test for association with Pca in AAs.
Method: Two hundred and seventy-seven (277) tagging SNPs spanning IL-16 (79.20Mb to 79.45Mb on chromosome 15) were genotyped in 496 AA Pca cases and 501 controls from Washington, DC. In order to replicate our findings, 11 of the SNPs were also typed in additional 400 AA Pca cases and controls from Chicago, IL. One hundred (100) unlinked ancestry informative markers were also typed for each sample. West African genetic ancestry estimates were obtained using STRUCTURE. We tested for allelic association and calculated odds ratios using logistic regression, adjusting for West African ancestry and age. Empiric p-values were obtained by adaptive permutation.
Results: Our first stage analyses revealed that a cluster of 20 IL-16 SNPs were significantly associated with Pca risk. The strongest association was found at rs7175701 (P=1.2 × 10−8), which lies within intron 26 of IL-16. In the replication population, two SNPs, slightly linked to rs7175701, but within the 3′UTR region were also strongly associated with Pca risk (P&lt;0.005).
Our study provides evidence that IL-16 polymorphisms likely play a role to Pca susceptibility in AAs. Many of the significantly associated SNPs are linked to rs11325 which is a candidate SNP for a miRNA target region in IL-16. Although the exact mechanism is unclear, additional functional studies are warranted.
Impact: Our findings are significant given that there has been limited focus on the role of IL-16 genetic polymorphisms on Pca risk in AAs. Understanding the role of cytokines such as IL-16 in tumor growth in diverse populations is important, and could likely lead to the development of useful biomarkers for cancer screening and/or potential therapeutics.
Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):A67.
Abstract A7: Young adult cancer survivors and substance abuse: Results from the U.S. National Health Interview Survey, 1997–2009
Authors: Clarke Tainya C. , Caban-Martinez Alberto J. , Ocasio Manuel A. , Clark John , Kachan Diana , Arheart Kristopher L. , Lee David J. 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Introduction: The five-year survival rates for young adult cancers continue to increase. Nonetheless, these young adult survivors may experience health complications or physical late effects that contribute to negative lifestyle behaviors potentiating the use of gateway drugs (e.g. alcohol and cigarettes). Examination of these negative behaviors during emerging adulthood (i.e., ages 18–24) may be particularly critical, as this developmental period is characterized by significant change, instability, identity exploration, and experimentation. In the present study, we examine the use of cigarettes and risky alcohol consumption among U.S. young adult cancer survivors.
Methods: We analyzed data on 39,433 U.S. young adults age 18–24 participating in the 1997–2009 National Health Interview Survey, who reported on their cigarette use and alcohol consumption, and socio-demographic characteristics.
Results: Among all youth, youth workers are almost twice as likely to smoke cigarettes when compared to their unemployed peers and Whites were more likely to engage in these negative behaviors when compared to their Black peers. There was no significant difference in alcohol or cigarette use by cancer history among young people. Approximately 35% of young cancer survivors were smokers and 70% current drinkers. Analyses did not reveal any significant reports of risky drinking.
Conclusions: Periodic clinical assessments for substance use among cancer survivors is important, particularly during the transition from late adolescence to emerging adulthood when baseline rates are relatively high compared to other ages. Research on processes involved in a young cancer survivors’ decisions to use substances will provide better insight regarding how best to intervene and who to include in educational interventions.
Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):A7.
Abstract B11: Effect of patient navigation on colorectal cancer screening in a community-based randomized controlled trial of urban African American Medicare beneficiaries
Authors: Horne Hisani N. , Markakis Diane , Phelan Darcy F. , Pollack Craig E. , Wenzel Jennifer , Garza Mary A. , Shapiro Gary R. , Bone Lee , Johnson Lawrence , Ford Jean G. 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Background: In recent years, colorectal cancer screening rates have increased steadily in the United States, though racial and ethnic disparities persist. We investigated the effect of a patient navigation intervention on adherence to colorectal cancer screening guidelines among African American older adults in Baltimore, MD.
Methods: We examined data collected from the Cancer Prevention and Treatment Demonstration (CPTD), a community-based randomized, controlled trial. Our study population consisted of 661 African American men and women aged 65 to 75 years who were Medicare beneficiaries and residents of Baltimore City. Participants were randomized to receive either printed educational materials only (PEM) or the addition of a patient navigator (NAV). The Johns Hopkins trained and certified patient navigator assisted participants with identifying and overcoming potential barriers to cancer screening. Self-reported colorectal cancer screening data were collected at baseline and at one-year follow-up through inperson interviews. Rates of screening between the two groups were examined using multivariable logistic regression modeling. All participants irrespective of their baseline screening status were included in calculating the adjusted odds of completing colorectal cancer screening during the follow-up period.
Results: At baseline, 68% of the PEM group and 71% of the NAV group (P = 0.45) reported being up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening, defined as having either a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) within one year or colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy within ten years of randomization. At the one-year follow-up visit, participants in the NAV group were more likely to report having undergone any colorectal cancer screening during the previous year, compared to the PEM group, 54% versus 46%, though this did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.12). After adjusting for age, gender, number of co-morbidities, education, participants’ health perception and level of health literacy, individuals in the NAV group were more likely to report being screened by colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.07–2.18) compared to those in the PEM group. Individuals who underwent patient navigation did not have a statistically significant change in the likelihood of reporting a FOBT compared to the PEM group.
Conclusions: In a population of urban African American older adults, patient navigation was effective in increasing the likelihood of screening by colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy but not fecal occult blood testing at one-year follow-up. The lack of effect on screening by FOBT likely represents the relatively low rate of provider utilization of this screening modality in the target population.
Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):B11.
Abstract B12: GMaP and BMaP community collaboration: Addressing colorectal cancer on a regional level
Authors: Thompson Beti , Klonoff Elizabeth , Harbach Heidi , Iweriebor Ebere 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
In the western Region, colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality with well-documented disparities among the various racial and ethnic groups represented in this Region. Early detection is key to colorectal cancer; and it has the advantage of offering preventive care when polyps are removed during colonoscopy. As a GMaP/BMaP partnership, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and San Diego State University have been working on building a research hub in Region VI (Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Guam, and American Samoa); to conduct a needs assessment of colorectal cancer and resources to decrease colorectal cancer in the Region. A review of secondary data provided us with information regarding colorectal cancer incidence and mortality among underserved populations in the Region. We also developed and distributed SurveyMonkey questionnaires to community members and academic partners in Region VI. We constructed a needs assessment of colorectal cancer in Region VI and work that was being done to address colorectal cancer. A key finding was that community/academic partnerships are needed to launch activities to control colorectal cancer in the Region. The needs assessment indicates that communities are key partners in activities to reduce the rate of colorectal cancer incidence and mortality. All of the state comprehensive cancer programs in the region are focusing on colorectal cancer. Collaboration between community and academic partners is a promising approach to reduce this disease.
Future study will include integrating the GMaP and BMaP supplement pilot projects into the plans for a regional implementation plan address combating this disease.
Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):B12.
Abstract B15: An assessment of eligibility and enrollment into cancer clinical trials among a disadvantaged urban population
Authors: Ko Naomi , Caron Sarah E. , Battaglia Tracy 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Background: Enrollment rates into cancer clinical trials among the adult population remains at approximately 2–11% with the vast majority being white men and women from high socioeconomic status and educational backgrounds. In order to address the unequal burden of cancer among underserved populations, it is imperative to enroll representative populations into cancer clinical trials, yet little is known about reasons why minority accrual is so low. We aim to examine the eligibility and enrollment criteria for disadvantaged populations in cancer clinical trials as a first step to increase minority accrual.
Methods: Boston Medical Center, a recently designated Minority Based Community Clinical Oncology Program by the National Cancer Institute, is the largest Safety Net medical institution in New England serving Boston's most vulnerable cancer patients. Using the hospital cancer registry to identify incident cases in the calendar year 2010 (n=1300), we conducted a retrospective review of the electronic medical record (EMR) to identify rates of screening for available cancer clinical trials. Each patient considered potentially eligible for a cancer clinical trial has documentation in their EMR from a clinical trials nurse. This screening note documents potential eligibility for enrollment, reasons for ineligibility or non-enrollment. Socio-demographic information was obtained from the cancer registry. Descriptive statistics were used to report our main outcomes: screening rate, eligibility and enrollment rate (of those screened) and reasons for not enrolling.
Results: Among 1300 newly diagnosed cancer patients served in calendar year 2010, mean age 61; 49% female; 48% White, 30% Black, 11% Hispanic, 4% Asian. One hundred clinical trials were available for accrual during the time period. Overall, we found documentation that 686 screenings for specific cancer trials were performed across 547 unique patients, resulting in a screening rate of 42% of newly diagnosed cancer patients. Among all 686 screenings, we found that patients were deemed ineligible for a specific clinical trial 92% of the time (n=630). The most commonly noted reasons for ineligibility were administrative issues (such as pending IRB approval and timing of screening) versus patient co-morbidities or disease stage. Of the patients who were deemed eligible (n=56) for clinical trials, 55% (n=31) were enrolled, of which 51% were white, 45% black and 4% Hispanic.
Conclusions: Most patients screened for a cancer clinical trial were not eligible. Earlier evaluation may address the administrative issues. Co-morbidities continue to be a major source of ineligibility for minority patients. When eligible, a racially representative sample was enrolled, suggesting the need to identify trials that are specific to our patient population in order to increase minority accrual.
Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):B15.
Abstract B19: Reasons for refusal to participate in an epidemiologic study of minority women
Authors: Sexton Krystal R. , Wiggins Shannon N. , Bondy Melissa L. 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Purpose: It is widely believed that minorities are less willing than non-Hispanic whites to participate in biomedical research studies. However, to our knowledge, there are no data comparing refusal rates between African-Americans and Mexican-Americans. We assessed refusal rates and reasons for non-participation in an epidemiologic study of breast cancer in African-American and Mexican-American women.
Methods: The multi-center ELLA Bi-National Breast Cancer Study compares patterns of breast cancer tumor markers between women of Mexican descent in both the United States and Mexico. At the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC), both Mexican-American and African-American women are screened and recruited by trained study personnel, and an in-person interview is conducted. For women refusing to participate, demographic and clinical characteristics and reasons for refusal are collected at the time of refusal. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the association between race/ethnicity and refusal to participate. The current study uses data only from MDACC.
Results: Approximately 1,870 women were screened to determine eligibility. Of those, 914 were eligible, and 850 (93%) of the eligible women agreed to participate. The two most common reasons for refusal were lack of interest and being too overwhelmed with their breast cancer diagnoses, and 10% of the women stated that their families did not approve of their participation. Those refusing to participate were more likely to be African-American (p&lt;0.001), late stage (p=0.01), and older age at diagnosis (p=0.02). Among African-American women, those refusing to participate were older (p=0.02), later stage at diagnosis (p=0.06), and less educated (p=0.06) compared to the participants. There were no significant differences between the Mexican-American participants and refusals. After adjusting for age and stage at diagnosis, African-American women were twice as likely to refuse participation as Mexican-Americans (OR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.11–3.83).
Conclusions: Overall, African-American and Mexican-American women were willing to participate in an epidemiologic breast cancer study, and our participation rates were higher than those previously reported for both African-Americans and Hispanics. Studies have shown that participation rates are higher among women and among cases, two factors potentially contributing to our low refusal rates. It is also possible that our study of only minority women led to low refusal rates among African-American and Mexican-American women. However, African-American women were more than twice as likely to refuse participation, and we must identify which factors influence the decision of minority women to participate in medical research studies.
Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):B19.
Abstract B35: SLUG-induced plakoglobin gene repression in triplenegative breast cancer cells
Authors: Bailey Charvann K. , Mittal Mukul K. , Misra Smita , Chaudhuri Gautam 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Breast cancer with the triple-negative phenotype (TNBC) are ER-negative, PR-negative and ERBB2 (HER2)-negative and represent one of the most aggressive and difficult to treat subtypes of human breast cancer. TNBC is highly over-represented in African American breast cancer patients and determining the genetic and molecular basis for this incidence and the biological basis for the aggressiveness of TNBCs are largely unknown and of high priority. The transcription factor SLUG, which controls epithelial to mesenchymal transition, stem cell phenotypes and therapeutic responsiveness, is highly expressed in the basal-type TNBC cells, making it a candidate master regulator of the TNBC phenotype. Plakoglobin, also known as γ-catenin or JUP, is a member of the armadillo motifcontaining proteins. This protein is a critical component of the desmosomal structure conferring structural integrity and resistance from mechanical stress to epithelial cells in tissues. We report here that SLUG inhibits the expression of several desmosomal proteins including the plakoglobin gene directly and thus, among other downstream effects, help disseminating the TNBC cells. Overexpression of SLUG in the SLUG-deficient cancer cells significantly decreased the levels of mRNA and protein of plakoglobin. On the contrary, knockdown of SLUG in SLUG-high TNBC cells elevated the levels of plakoglobin. Inhibition of SLUG activity with a molecular decoy in the TNBC cells abrogated the inhibitory effect of SLUG on plakoglobin gene expression. Although overexpression of SLUG in the SLUG-deficient cells elevated the invasiveness and motility of these cells, knockdown of plakoglobin only affected the growth and migration rates of these cells. This study thus implicates high levels of SLUG and low levels of plakoglobin as determinants in the progression of highly disseminating breast cancer of the TNBC type.
Supported by the DOD-CDMRP BCRP Grants W81XWH-06-1-0466, W81XWH-08-1-0446, BC086542, and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation grant# BCTR0707627 to GC.
Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):B35.
Abstract B36: Development of calcitrol-resistance in triple-negative breast cancer cells through SLUG-mediated coordinate repression of CYP2R1, CYP27B1, and VDR gene promoters
Authors: Johnson Shari M. , Mittal Mukul K. , Bailey Charvann K. , Misra Smita , Chaudhuri Gautam 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Metastatic breast and other cancers are often found to be refractory to vitamin D therapy. Vitamin D is synthesized from 7-dehydrocholesterol, an intermediate metaboltie in cholesterol synthesis. Ultraviolet irradiation in sunlight-exposed skin induces a photochemical reaction of 7–25-position by vitamin D 25-hydroxylase (CYP2R1), to yield 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D3 is hydroxylated at the 25-position by vitamin D 25-hydroxylase (CYP2R1), to yield 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3; 25-hydroxycholecalciferol), the major form of vitamin D in the circulation. 25(OH)D3 is further hydroxylated at the 1 -position by the 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1 -hydroxylase (CYP27B1) to produce calcitrol (VD3). VD3 exhibits physiological and pharmacological effects by binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR), a transcription factor of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Although photoactivated cholecalciferol is mainly hydroxylated in the liver and kidney, many other cells including breast cells have significant expressions of CYP2R1, CYP27B1 and VDR. Breast cells thus should be able to activate and utilize cholecalciferol if these proteins are not suppressed. We report here that the metastasis modulator protein SLUG, which is often overexpressed in metastatic triple negative breast cancer cells, coordinately repressse the levels of CYP2R1, CYP27B1 and VDR proteins in the breast cancer cells to induce vitamin D-resistance in these cells. SLUG inhibited CYP2R1, CYP27B1 and VDR gene promoter activities in these cells. ChIP assays revealed that SLUG is recruited at the CYP2R1, CYP27B1 and VDR gene promoters. Knockdown of SLUG in highly invasive MDA-MB-231 and BT549 cells increased their CYP2R1, CYP27B1 and VDR gene expression and decreased their resistance their resistance to VD3 in vitro. Our data established that SLUG regulates vitamin D metabolism and contributes to the induction of VD3-resistance in human breast cancer cells through the inhibition of CYP2R1, CYP27B1 and VDR gene promoters epigenetically through chromatin remodeling.
Supported in parts by the DOD-CDMRP grants BC050641 and BC103645.
Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):B36.