The body's biological functions follow a circadian rhythm, meaning that individual biological functions in the body change over a 24-hour cycle. There is evidence suggesting that the body and cancer cells may react differently to anti-cancer treatment based on the time of day they are exposed. In fact, researchers have already found that giving anti-cancer treatments at a particular time of the day works better in rectal and ovarian cancer. Temozolomide (TMZ) is a chemotherapy pill/capsule commonly given to patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma after brain surgery and radiation treatment. However, there is no current standard for what time of day TMZ should be taken for...
The microbiome has the potential to serve as a robust biomarker of clinical response to immunotherapy. Additionally, microbial manipulation, through diet, exercise, prebiotics, probiotics, or microbially-derived metabolites, may prove to be beneficial in promoting anti-tumor immune responses. However, large prospective studies in humans with longitudinal sample collection and standardized methods are needed to understand how microbiota and their byproducts affect cancer therapies, particularly among patients undergoing identical therapy but experiencing different outcomes. The proposed observational study builds upon these hypotheses by proposing a large cohort design to further...
This phase I clinical trial tests the immune effects of fermented wheat germ in patients with advanced solid tumor cancers who are being treated with standard of care checkpoint inhibitors. Fermented wheat germ is a nutritional supplement that some claim is a "dietary food for special medical purposes for cancer patients" to support them in treatment. There have also been claims that fermented wheat germ is "clinically proven" and "recognized by medical experts" to "enhance oncological treatment" and boost immune response to cancer; however, there are currently no documented therapeutic effects of fermented wheat germ as a nutritional supplement. Checkpoint inhibitors, given as...
In this study, the research team will investigate the incidence and etiology of olfactory dysfunction following endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery, by combining clinical assessments with histomolecular analysis.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic benefits of a 10-week online coach-guided EEWP on psychosocial health among adults with SCI.
White adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) form the main adipose tissue subtypes in humans and several animals. BAT, owing to its unique metabolic function, has been of increased focus and interest in metabolic research (1). BAT forms the major organ of non-shivering thermogenesis in the body, and is dependent on the large concentration of mitochondria and increased uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) activity present in this type of tissue (2). There are numerous triggers for the metabolic activation of BAT including cold temperature, low body mass index (BMI), adrenergic agonists, and elevated concentration of thyroid hormones (3). BAT is found more abundantly in...
Psychological distress (anxiety and depression) is common in and experienced differently by people living with long-term health conditions (LTCs). Being able to measure whether psychological distress is related to living with a LTC would allow researchers and clinicians to provide interventions specifically tailored to the challenges of living with a LTC and therefore provide the most appropriate support for these patients. Such a measure would also be useful in research to identify the presence of illness-related distress in different patient groups. This project will therefore create a new measure of illness-related distress that has applications for both research and clinical...
This study seeks to determine the biologic causes of inflammation in patients with Transverse Myelitis (TM) Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) and related conditions. While patients will be treated according to decisions with their treating physician, this study will collect data and samples from patients prospectively to gain a better understanding of the disease. We are seeking to understand why some patients respond to medications, while others do not. We also seek to understand what happens biologically, preceding relapses. Gathering these data and samples will allow researchers to identify new ways of diagnosing and treating these diseases. Data and samples will...
The aim of this study is to evaluate a new method of follow-up for patients with low and intermediate risk (stages IA-IIA) melanoma. The investigators will compare different tools for patient support and education combined with clinician supported skin self-examination (SSE) to the current standard-of-care. The hypothesis is that meta-cognitive strategies and clinician supported SSE can lower fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and promote effective SSE on a regular basis without compromising the detection of new primary melanomas and/or metastases.
This protocol is a molecular screening protocol only. No drug intervention study will be included in this protocol. Based on the molecular profiling, patients may be eligible for drug intervention study of SUKSES trial. This procedure can be performed during or after the first-line treatment. DNA will be extracted from the archived or fresh tissue and blood. NGS-based cancer panel and Nanostring CNV will be tested with DNA from tissue and/or blood. Immunohistochemistry and FISH will be done by pathologists using archived or fresh tissue. Tumor tissues (fresh or archival) will be analyzed using NGS-based cancer panel, nanostring CNV, immunohistochemistry and/or...