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Cancer Research News
University of Florida Health researchers find new details of immune system’s molecular “switch”
A group led by UF Health researcher Dorina Avram, Ph.D., have found out how one molecular “switch” influences the immune system — a finding they say has major implications for future treatments for immune system diseases and cancer. The research focused on a subset of cells that prevent the immune system from overreacting by producing antibodies that attack normal body tissues. The absence of a specific gene — known as Bcl11b — in regulatory T (Treg) cells triggers fatal systemic inflammation in mice, the researchers found. The results are published today in the journal Science Advances. READ MORE
UF Research Team Aims to Reduce Cost of Drug Development Using 3D-Printed Living Tissues
Thomas E. Angelini, Ph.D., associate professor in the department of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of Florida, and his research group, the Soft Matter Research lab, have successfully fabricated living micro-beams from glioblastoma cells and extra-cellular material (ECM) embedded in a packed microgel support medium. They subsequently characterized the physical properties of the beams and compared their results against traditional mechanical engineering models. To their surprise, these microscopic, delicate structures behave a lot like the massive beams used in everyday building construction. READ MORE
Prostate Cancer and the Use of Proton Therapy
Randal H. Henderson, M.D., a professor in the department of radiation oncology and associate medical director of University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute, discusses the benefits of proton therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer. READ MORE
Women May Be More Adept Than Men At Discerning Pain
“The pathway to opioid abuse for women often starts with a prescription from the doctor’s office. One reason is that women are more likely than men to seek help for pain. Pain researchers say that not only do women suffer more painful conditions, they actually perceive pain more intensely than men do.
“The burden of pain is substantially greater for women than men,” says researcher and psychologist Roger Fillingim, Ph.D., “and that led pain researchers like myself to wonder if the pain perception system is different in women than in men.” READ MORE
Using a User-Centered Design Approach to Create an mHealth App for Colorectal Cancer Screening
A team of communication scientists, computer scientists and clinicians, led by Janice Krieger, Ph.D., a professor in the advertising department and director of the University of Florida’s STEM Translational Communication Center (STCC), used principles of user-centered design to develop a medical mobile app that meets the needs of patients. The process was described in a paper led by Lauren Griffin, Ph.D., an STCC postdoctoral associate. A widely used medical mobile device app could prevent hospitals, insurance carriers, and patients from contending with the excessive waste of financial and personnel resources.
The team developed a mobile app focused on colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among patients aged 50 years and older. READ MORE
Announcements
Seeking patient stories for cancer-related marketing
The Cancer Center marketing manager, Jessica Barton, is looking for physicians and other clinicians to identify potential patients whose stories we can share on social media and other platforms.
Criteria:
- Multi-D care
- Not a clinical trial participant
- Good outcome, at least six months out of treatment
Please email jessbarton@ufl.edu if you have a candidate for consideration. Please do not include detailed patient info, just an outline of their case.
Climb for Cancer Foundation gifts $127,200 to cancer programs at UF Health Shands
The Climb for Cancer Foundation exists to improve the mental, physical and social well-being of cancer patients, survivors and their caregivers through funding of enrichment programs in arts, nature, sports, and medicine.
Because of generous donors, the Climb for Cancer Foundation has made gifts totaling $127,200 to cancer programs at UF Health Shands this year alone. And new this year, the B. Dianne Farb Health Education Scholarship expanded to award scholarships to students who are cancer survivors pursuing a degree in a health field at Santa Fe College.
To support the Climb for Cancer Foundation, check out their upcoming events.
Flock the Hospital
Last year, the UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital Oncology Med/Surg Unit 5East team launched the “Flock the Hospital,” a fancy flamingo fundraiser for breast cancer research.
Now, the unit is getting ready to launch Flock the Hospital 2019 and the theme for this year’s fundraiser is, “we will, we will flock you,” which channels the popular Queen rock anthem. Proceeds will be donated to “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.”
Flocks will officially launch on Monday, Sept. 30 and complete their migration on Thursday, Oct. 31. The unit will have flocks available to pre-order by contacting Dana Viviano, M.S.N., R.N., nurse manager, from the end of August through the official start date.
For more information on pricing and rules, click here.
Contact: Dana Viviano | 352-278-5399 | viviad@shands.ufl.edu
"Real Men Wear Pink"
Join us in the fight against breast cancer when you support the Real Men Wear Pink Campaign. Every dollar raised helps the American Cancer Society save lives from breast cancer through early detection and prevention, innovative breast cancer research, and patient support. Thanks to your passion, we’re able to make a huge impact on the mission to end breast cancer. Donations will be accepted through Oct. 26.
To donate, click here.