Research Headlines
In 2021, UF Health Cancer Center researchers made many notable achievements, such as obtaining approval from the U.S. FDA to proceed to a clinical trial for a drug targeting leukemia, lymphoma, and breast and lung cancers; finding a positive association between breast density and breast cancer risk; and identifying new ways of treating antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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UF Health virtual human intervention allows for colorectal cancer screening from home
A new University of Florida Health intervention gives patients who qualify access to colorectal cancer screening information and tests from the comfort of their own homes. The new communication tool uses a virtual health assistant, or VHA. Patients interact with a diverse group of virtual doctors in a digital replica of a UF Health exam room. The virtual providers ask prompted questions and give patients several response options. Patients receive tailored health care information based on their responses. When information is tailored, people are more likely to pay attention to it and act on it, researchers say. The tool is even more important given the rise of telemedicine during COVID-19. READ MORE
UF researchers discover marine natural product off Florida’s coast that could help fight cancer
From cyanobacteria blooms found off the Florida coast near Fort Lauderdale, University of Florida researchers have discovered a novel marine natural product that binds to a new site of tubulin, an important target for cancer drugs. Natural products targeting tubulin have provided the basis for several anti-cancer drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration, including paclitaxel and vincristine.
For decades, cancer researchers have explored new ways to modify the protein’s function and dynamics by developing compounds that target one of tubulin’s six binding sites. The UF researchers, led by Hendrik Luesch, Ph.D., discovered a new chemical compound, named gatorbulin-1, that targets a seventh binding site. READ MORE
UF cancer drug receives FDA clearance for clinical trials
An anticancer drug developed by researchers from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy became the first drug of its kind allowed to proceed to clinical trial by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The drug, DT2216, targets leukemia, lymphoma, and breast and lung cancers. 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.
UF researchers developed the new drug using a technology that relies on PROTACs, small molecules that, instead of just suppressing cancer-promoting proteins, help cells break them down. READ MORE
Discovery of dual-degrading compound could pave way for more effective cancer drugs
University of Florida researchers have developed a new compound that simultaneously attacks two key proteins critical for a cancer cell’s survival, a discovery that could aid in the development of more effective leukemia, lung and colon cancer drugs.
The team reported the development of the first BCL-xL and BCL-2 PROTAC dual-degrading compound. The compound acts on a pair of proteins in the B-cell lymphoma 2 family that fuel the growth of malignant cancer cells and strengthen their resistance to drug therapies. The proteins shield tumor cells and protect them from death. READ MORE
Genetic testing for hereditary breast, ovarian cancer risks now part of routine care at UF Health
UF Health recently began offering genetic screenings to gynecology patients as part of their annual exams. The screenings are a way to identify patients who may have a heightened risk of breast and ovarian cancers. The women’s health screenings are part of an effort to help UF Health patients benefit from scientific research and advances in genetic screening technology.
The screening evaluates 20 genes related to breast and ovarian cancers, including a test for some of the more common breast cancer, or BRCA, gene mutations. When a change in one of the 20 genes is detected, guidelines can lead to increased screening such as mammograms at an earlier age and possible preventive measures. READ MORE
UF creates antibacterial agents to help eradicate antibiotic-resistant bacteria
UF medicinal chemists report promising results from a study focused on new ways of treating several types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, advances that may help in the battle against MRSA, tuberculosis and other infectious pathogens. The team synthesized a new series of more than 20 different halogenated phenazine, or HP, small molecules.
These molecules could lead to major advances in the treatment of wounds and chronic infections. READ MORE
New study associates dense breasts in older women with heightened breast cancer risk
Physicians have long recognized that women with denser breasts are at increased risk of invasive breast cancer, heightening the importance of mammography screenings. A paucity of data, however, established such a risk in women age 65 and older. A large study led by a UF Health population scientist examined data from more than 193,000 women age 65 and older, including more than 70,000 who were at least 75, and found a positive association between breast density and breast cancer risk.
The study fills a gap of information with possible implications on the decision-making of older women considering a breast cancer screening mammography. READ MORE
UF Health now using precision radiation procedure for eye cancer
For patients with eye cancer, University of Florida Health ophthalmology specialist Gibran S. Khurshid, M.D., is sowing seeds of hope. In Khurshid’s case, those seeds are tiny particles of radioactive iodine. Attached to a gold implant about the size of a contact lens, the “seeds” deliver tightly focused radiation to eye cancer, oruveal melanoma. The implant, known as a radioactive iodine plaque, is sewn onto the surface of the eye. It stays there for four days, delivering precise doses of radiation to the cancer.
For patients, a plaque can be the difference between sight and blindness. Khurshid works with radiation oncologist Paul Okunieff, M.D., and medical physicist Jian Wu, Ph.D., on the treatment. READ MORE
Thyroid cancer overdiagnosis might be addressed through better patient-doctor conversations
The number of people diagnosed with thyroid cancer has tripled in the last 40 years as imaging technology has become more common and nodules are often discovered incidentally in patients without symptoms. While biopsy makes sense for some patients, physicians note, it is not the best option for all.
A University of Florida Health researcher is leading a team developing a conversation aid to be used during what can be a challenging clinical encounter when it is crucial for a doctor to clearly and completely communicate a patient’s cancer risk and management options. READ MORE
Genetic mutation could play role in improving leukemia treatment, UF Health researchers find
In the battle against one type of leukemia, a genetic mutation could hold the key to more effective, lower-dose treatments. About one-fourth of acute myeloid leukemia patients carry a mutation in a gene known as DNMT3A. That mutation can make patients less responsive to certain chemotherapy treatments.
Working in cell and preclinical models, a UF Health-led research team has made an important discovery: Those who carry the genetic mutation might benefit from anti-cancer drugs that interfere with the way acute myeloid leukemia cells replicate. The researchers also have early evidence that the anti-cancer effect can be amplified with novel drug combinations. READ MORE
University of Florida Health, NVIDIA develop artificial intelligence model to hasten clinical trials
Researchers with the University of Florida Health have collaborated with NVIDIA researchers to create GatorTron™, an artificial intelligence transformer natural language processing model intended to accelerate research and medical decision-making by extracting insights from massive volumes of clinical data with unprecedented speed and clarity.
The new model will speed up researchers’ ability to identify relevant patients for lifesaving clinical trials and other studies. GatorTron™ is also expected to fast-track the development of medical applications with improved capabilities. The model will be used by doctors for clinical decision support. READ MORE
New pediatric cancer trial to test immunotherapy combination
A new prospective treatment for two rare childhood cancers, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and recurrent neuroblastoma, will be tested in a new human clinical trial led by pediatric oncology teams at the University of Florida and Atrium Health Levine Children’s in Charlotte, North Carolina. The trial will test an innovative combination of molecular-guided therapy and personalized immunotherapy.
The treatments use the unique genetic information of an individual child’s cancer to design a three-pronged approach: a specifically tailored drug treatment, a cancer vaccine containing dendritic cells and adoptive T cell therapy. READ MORE
UF Health Developing New Bladder Cancer Therapeutic
Patients with stage IV bladder cancer often have few treatment options and face low survival rates, but some much-needed hope may soon be on the way, thanks to a new discovery by University of Florida researchers. Once bladder cancer metastasizes at this most advanced stage, it becomes one of the leading causes of genitourinary cancer-related mortality, with the average life expectancy being less than two years.
The therapy being developed targets a change noted with the tumor microenvironment. The has discovered increased activity of the enzyme Hyal2 and developed an antibody against this enzyme. READ MORE