June/July 2018 HBCU Health


Tuskegee Researchers Develop Test to Detect Aggressive Cancers in African-American Women


Shweta Tripathi, analyze publicly assistant


professor (research), and Raymond Hughley, a master’s student in biology, has led the team’s efforts to collect and


available sets containing in partnership with data clinical and genetic


information from thousands of breast cancer


patients. Both have worked researchers


the Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System — genetics Melissa


at professor Dr. Davis, who also conducts Professor Yates in biomedical research lab


A new means of detecting the most aggressive and fatal form of breast cancer — developed by a team led by Tuskegee University researchers — holds the potential to earlier detection and more informed treatment decisions.


Dr. Clayton Yates, a professor of


biology and director of the university’s multidisciplinary Center for Biomedical Research,


has published the team’s


findings in the current edition of PLOS ONE.


This breakthrough, detailed in the


article “AR Negative Triple Negative or ‘Quadruple Negative’ Breast Cancers in African-American Women Have an Enriched Basal and Immune Signature,” expands upon the three


biomarker-


based methods currently used to subtype breast cancer by creating a fourth testing marker.


“Scientifically speaking, our research suggests that the expression of the androgen receptor (the receptor for testosterone), should be added to the current set of prognostic markers — estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 — used to test for classify and determine the aggressiveness of breast cancer,” Yates said.


"The addition of androgen


receptor as a fourth biomarker could be game-changing, in not only how we treat all patients with TNBC, but really sets the foundation for this unique subtype called QNBC," said medical oncologist Dr. Windy Dean-Colomb, who serves as medical director of oncology for St. Patrick CHRISTUS Hospital in Lake Charles, Louisiana.


“As with any fight, you have to know your enemy. Imagine going into battle not knowing if you needed a BB gun, a shotgun, or a bazooka,” Yates said. “With this additional testing option, physicians will be able to better define the enemy and develop a more precise treatment plan. This, in turn, promises to be more effective for the patient — not to mention safer and less expensive — in the long run.”


Breast cancer currently is the


second-most common cancer among U.S. females. The new testing method shows significant promise for detecting the most aggressive types of breast cancer — especially among African- American women. Black women are more likely than white women to be diagnosed at later stages in life, and they are 40 percent more likely to die from breast cancer after their initial diagnosis.


“Study after study proves that


early detection is the key to long-term survival,” Yates said. “Our new testing method shows significant promise for as a prognostic marker for the most aggressive


African-American


types of breast cancer — women that


lack


AR expression are diagnosed 10 years earlier than patients with positive AR expression."


molecular epidemiology and molecular genetics research concerned with cancer health disparities and environmental factors that impact the etiology of breast cancer subtypes; and surgical oncologist Dr. Lisa Newman, who directs the Henry Ford Cancer Institute’s Breast Oncology Program and medical director for the International Center for the Study of Breast Cancer Subtypes.


“By collecting, analyzing and


interpreting the genetic data available to us, we not only are able to validate our findings, but go further in researching how to best match cancer treatments to specific genetic factors,” said Dr. Davis.


came


Much of the data the team analyzed from partnering


universities


and medical schools that include Dr. William Grizzle at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.


involved out, "as this information


"Understanding the genetic factors is critical", Yates pointed will allow


physicians to rely less on debilitating chemotherapy and more personalized therapy solutions to specific patients’ needs."


"The future of cancer treatment is found in the patient’s genome, and this test will advance medical and pharmaceutical efforts to possible drug therapies targeting a patient’s specific cancer subtype and genetic makeup,” Yates said. “Both are required to engage a


patient’s own immune system to


aggressively fight this fatal disease.” "The fact that we were able to


identify that African-American women have a unique enriched basal-immune signature creates


the impetus for


identifying targeted therapies for use in this patient population. It is our hope that the use of this ethnicity-directed clinical data will be used in a larger framework to help address some of the breast cancer-related disparities we see in African-American women” said Dr. Dean-Colomb.


Support for this research effort comes through the National Cancer Institute’s Comprehensive Partnerships to Advance Cancer Health Equity (U54) program. The findings of this research underscore Yates’ long-term research on existing health disparities, especially for cancer patients of color.


“Most people accept that health disparities exist, but for a long time, those disparities have been linked to socioeconomic


issues,” Yates noted.


“Research like this underscores that ethnicity and genetics — more so than income or geography — should be considered when diagnosing patients, and those same ethnic and genetic markers can allow us to tailor treatments to those illnesses.”


Yates indicated the next step for this laboratory-proven testing method is to obtain approval from the Food and Drug Administration to conduct clinical trials with current breast cancer patients. He also looks to expand his team’s data collection and analysis globally through his network of international research partners and collaborators. Ultimately, he hopes to see the test become part of standardized care for the detection and treatment of breast cancer.


INSTRUCTIONS


Combine all the spices of the spice mix and salt in a small bowl and mix well. Set aside Heat a 12-inch deep skillet with a lid over medium heat. Add half of the diced eggplant and cook for about 7 minutes stirring occasionally. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. Repeat the process with the rest of the eggplant and transfer it to the bowl Using the same skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the garlic and ginger and cook over medium high heat for about 2 minutes. Add the onion and spice mix, and cook for 5-6minutes or until translucent Add the tomato paste and cook for 3-4 minutes stirring frequently. Add the drained chickpeas, stir gently and continue cooking for 2 to 3minutes Add the cooked eggplant and broth or water, bring to a boil, cover the pan and reduce the heat to simmer for 40 minutes Add the cilantro in the last 10 minutes of cooking, saving some for garnish.


NUTRITION Serving Size: 1 cup Calories: 233 Sugar: 8 Sodium: 576 Fat: 7 Saturated Fat: 0.9


Unsaturated Fat:4 Trans Fat: 0 Carbohydrates: 29 Fiber: 8.5mm Protein: 7.6 Cholesterol: 0 Healthy Recipe


EGGPLANT AND CHICKPEA CURRY


INGREDIENTS For the spice mix (alternatively, you can use your favorite curry blend or paste): 1 tsp salt (or to taste) 3/4 tsp ground coriander 3/4 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp turmeric 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional) 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/8 tsp black pepper 1/8 tsp ground cardamom For the chickpea curry: 1 large eggplant, peeled and diced (about 5 cups diced) 2 tbsp olive oil 3 cloves of garlic, minced 1″ piece of ginger, grated 1 medium onion, chopped 1/4 cup tomato paste 2 15.5 oz cans of chickpeas, rinsed and drained 2 cups water or vegetable broth 1 bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped ( about 1


cup chopped)


The HBCU Advocate 15


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