A study by UF Health researchers, including Ali Zarrinpar, M.D., Ph.D., found that Hispanics, as well as the elderly and people with diabetes, have a higher risk of developing liver cancer. The findings showed alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which are distinguished by the patient’s alcohol consumption, share the same cancer risk factors, suggesting demographic differences may be what puts some patients more at risk of developing liver cancer. Those over the age of 60 are almost four times more at risk while Hispanics and diabetics are nearly two times at risk. READ MORE

Findings by UF Health researchers, led by Mansour Mohamadzadeh, Ph.D., and their collaborators show how certain cells in the colon can be “fine- tuned” by chemically attaching a sugar molecule to a protein. That is crucial for developing prebiotics — non-digestible food ingredients that promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and protect against intestinal pathogens. The molecular “fine-tuning,” known as glycosylation, has the potential to prevent inflammation and the progression of intestinal diseases such as colitis. READ MORE

A group led by UF Health researcher Dorina Avram, Ph.D., 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 absence of a specific gene — known as Bcl11b — in regulatory T cells triggers fatal systemic inflammation in mice. When the Bcl11b gene is absent, T cells are unable to function normally to control multiorgan inflammation in the lungs, liver, skin and kidneys. READ MORE

UF Health researchers sifting through millions of electronic health records found evidence that nine drugs already being used to treat other health conditions may also have the potential to improve cancer survival. The researchers, led by Yonghui Wu, Ph.D., hope that with additional study, some of these drugs — currently used to treat noncancerous health conditions such as high cholesterol, acid reflux, hypertension and diabetes — could be repurposed as effective cancer treatments. READ MORE

UF researchers, led by David Nelson, M.D., and Haesuk Park, Ph.D., examined the clinical and economic outcomes of direct-acting antiviral therapy, which cures hepatitis C in nearly 95% of patients. When left untreated, hepatitis C can cause liver cancer; cirrhosis, or liver scarring; and other serious liver problems. In a finding the researchers called “disturbing,” 70% of hepatitis C patients in the nationwide health insurance database analyzed in the study had not received treatment, reflecting expensive drug costs and prior authorization policies. READ MORE

Smoking rates are down nationally, but so are discussions among physicians and smokers about lung cancer screening, UF researchers have found. However, the study also found these patient-physician conversations did not affect current smokers’ intent or attempts to quit. The researchers expected to find that if patients who smoke engage in a discussion about lung cancer screening with their physicians, they will be more motivated to quit. However, the study showed physician-patient discussions were not associated with any changes in smokers’ behavior. READ MORE

Tobacco sales at two national dollar-store chains may
have negatively impacted the smoking rate among pregnant women in the Southeast United States, UF Health researchers Jaclyn Hall, Ph.D., and Ramzi Salloum, Ph.D., have found. Smoking during pregnancy was associated with increased tobacco availability at thousands of dollar stores in the region. The study found the biggest declines in the rate of smoking during pregnancy occurred in counties that had no increase in tobacco retailers or even a decline in the number of stores due to the pharmacy’s decision not to sell. READ MORE

UF Health Cancer Center and Massachusetts General Hospital researchers, led by Jeffrey K. Harrison, Ph.D., have found a combination approach that is showing promise. Researchers focused on cells known as myeloid-derived suppressor cells, or MDSCs, which help tumors flourish by inhibiting the immune system. The researchers tested a combination treatment: One of the therapies is a “checkpoint inhibitor,” which re-activates the anticancer response the tumor has shut down. The other, a new drug that targets a protein, CCR2, which helps recruit the MDSCs to the tumor. The new therapy blocked the MDSCs from infiltrating the tumors, stimulating an immune response that allowed the mice to live longer. READ MORE

UF Health Cancer Center researchers, led by Daohong Zhou, M.D., and Guangrong Zheng, Ph.D., have discovered a safer and more effective anticancer drug to target leukemia, lymphoma, and breast and lung cancers. Known as DT2216, the drug acts on a protein called B-cell lymphoma-extra-large, or BCL-XL, which fuels the growth of malignant cells and strengthens their resistance to therapy. The researchers demonstrated in mathematical and mouse models that DT2216 suppressed the growth of several tumors on its own and in combination with other drugs. READ MORE

UF researchers, led by Christian Jobin, Ph.D., have found a link between colorectal cancer in mice and the most commonly reported bacterial cause of food poisoning in the United States. One of the key findings of the current cancer study is that using inflammatory inhibitors in a mouse model prevented both inflammation and cancer, suggesting the capability to manipulate cancer-causing activity of C. jejuni. It’s possible that carrying C. jejuni may also put humans at higher risk of cancer. READ MORE

UF researchers, led by Jonathan Licht, M.D., have found a new type of cancer-causing gene. Histones help package DNA in cells so DNA can be protected from stresses and compacted into chromosomes during cell division. The research found a new class of mutations that interrupt the structure of the histone octamer, causing the disintegration of the nucleosome and the stimulation of cancer growth. READ MORE