ACGT Scientific Advisory Council Chair Michael T. Lotze, MD, Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award from Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer


Michael T. Lotze, MD

Dr. Michael Lotze, ACGT Scientific Advisory chair & with University of Pittsburgh, is being awarded the prestigious SITC Lifetime Achievement Award

Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT) Scientific Advisory Council Chair Michael T. Lotze, MD, of the University of Pittsburgh, will be honored with the 2021 Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Lifetime Achievement Award at the SITC 36th Annual Meeting, Nov. 10-14, in Washington D.C.

Dr. Lotze is currently Chief Cellular Therapy Officer of Nurix Therapeutics and professor of surgery, immunology and bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He is widely regarded as the leader in exploring cancer as a disorder of cell death and is devising novel strategies to approach the disease in this context. He initiated the first approved gene therapy protocols at the National Institutes of Health and has treated more than 100 patients on gene therapy protocols at the University of Pittsburgh. He is the co-inventor of 10 patents in dendritic cell vaccines and antigen discovery, and author of more than 500 scientific papers and chapters in basic and applied tumor immunology and cytokine biology.

Dr. Lotze leads the 14 members of the ACGT Scientific Advisory Council in rigorously reviewing and monitoring the research selected for funding by ACGT. The importance and value that the Council contributes to the ACGT funding process distinguishes ACGT from many other funding agencies. Council members are among the most accomplished thought-leaders in the field of cancer cell and gene therapy. They are experienced scientists whose decades of research and patient care have elevated them into important leadership positions at top institutions across the U.S. and in Canada.

Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer is a member-driven organization dedicated to improving cancer patient outcomes by advancing the science and application of cancer immunotherapy through educational programs that foster scientific exchange and collaboration. Learn more about SITC at http://www.sitcancer.org.

To learn more about Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy and the ACGT Scientific Advisory Council, visit acgtfoundation.org, call (203) 358-5055, or join the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy community on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy

For more than 20 years, Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT) has funded research that is bringing innovative treatment options to people living with deadly cancers – treatments that save lives and offer new hope to all cancer patients. The organization funds researchers who are pioneering the potential of cancer cell and gene therapy – talented visionaries whose scientific advancements are driving the development of groundbreaking treatments for ovarian, prostate, sarcoma, glioblastoma, melanoma and pancreatic cancers. 100% of all public funds raised directly support research and programs. For more information, visit acgtfoundation.org, call (203) 358-5055, or join the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy community on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube @acgtfoundation.

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BareOrganics Launches in Select CVS Health Hub Locations Nationwide


BareOrganics is a leader in health and wellness nutrition, offering USDA Organic superfood products to support wholesome habits and incorporate them into everyday life.

WR Group Consumer Health Brands is proud to announce the expansion of their brand, BareOrganics, into select CVS Health Hub locations nationwide, making it even easier to find nutritious wholefood superfoods in your neighborhood.

It is BareOrganics’ mission to make healthy living more attainable with products that can easily be incorporated into various daily routines. BareOrganics products are USDA Organic, Non-GMO, gluten free and have a pleasing taste. All packaging is recyclable and the powder tubs are BPA free and microwave safe.

“BareOrganics is a leader in health and wellness nutrition, offering USDA Organic superfood products to support wholesome habits and incorporate them into everyday life,” says Renee Niles, EVP Sales. “We’re honored to have this amazing opportunity to introduce CVS Hub consumers to a wonderfully curated assortment of healthy and nutritious supplements that they can seamlessly add into their everyday routine.”

You can now purchase the following BareOrganics products at select CVS Health Hub stores:

BareOrganics ENERGY AND STAMINA BLEND POWDER (Organic, 8oz), $19.99

Energy and Stamina Blend is made with plant-based superfoods that support energy & endurance. This power blend of beet, cacao, maca, ginger root and apple is lightly sweetened with coconut sugar, making it simple and delicious to add a boost to your day! Try adding this blend to juice, yogurt, or your favorite smoothie.

BareOrganics MARINE SUPER GREENS BLEND POWDER (Organic, 8oz), $24.99

Marine Greens offers the best of the sea with organic kelp, chlorella and spirulina. These super greens are species of microalgae or seaweed that help to support overall vitality and natural immunity and are particularly delicious additions for those looking to diversify the types of greens in their diet.

BareOrganics MUSHROOM IMMUNE BLEND POWDER (Organic, 4oz), $24.99

Mushroom Immune Blend combines an assortment of natural and organic mushrooms including Maitake, Red Reishi, Turkey Tail and more. You want to eat only organically grown mushrooms because they absorb what they grow in, which makes this organic blend a go to. They contain polysaccharides, myconutrients, adaptogens, and more to support healthy immunity and overall vitality.

BareOrganics IRISH SEA MOSS IMMUNITY POWDER (Organic, 8oz) $26.99

Irish sea moss grows in natural sea waters and is commonly used as a vegan thickening agent in recipes such as smoothies and desserts. Organic Irish SeaMoss is known by many names – pearl moss and carrageen – but its reputation as an overall health promoter containing many natural minerals and immunity support is well-known.

BareOrganics On-the-Go Metabolism Superfood Drink Mix (Organic, 5ct), $4.99

This superfood Drink mix delivers metabolism-boosting ingredients like apple cider vinegar, garcinia cambogia, and cayenne to create the perfect companion on your journey to a healthier you. It also delivers prebiotic fiber to support digestive health and appetite control. It dissolves quickly into hot or cold water with a great-tasting lemon flavor you can enjoy at home or on-the-go.

BareOrganics On-the-Go Energy Superfood Drink Mix (Organic, 5ct), $4.99

Green means go with this instant, long-lasting source of plant energy that won’t give you the jitters. Antioxidant-rich Matcha Green Tea, Maca Root and potent Green Coffee Bean extract help you kick it into high gear. It dissolves quickly into hot or cold water with a great-tasting citrus flavor you can enjoy at home or on-the-go.



BareOrganics On-the-Go Digestion Superfood Water Enhancer (Organic, 5ct), $4.99

This refreshing blend is crafted with organic superfoods, including papaya, turmeric and aloe vera, which delivers prebiotic fiber, to help maintain healthy digestion. Coconut rounds out this blend’s light, tropical flavor and supports hydration. Dissolves quickly into hot or cold water, juice, smoothies or your favorite beverage to support your system at home or on-the-go.

For more information on WR Group, BareOrganics or where to shop please contact:

Natalie Marzano at Victory Public Relations

WRGroup@victorypublicrelations.com

Victory Public Relations

More About BareOrganics

BareOrganics is a line of USDA Certified Organic Superfoods sourced from the highest-quality ingredients around the world. As more and more consumers dabble with whole foods, BareOrganics provides consumers with choices that suit their specific dietary needs and healthy lifestyles.

More About WR Group

For more than 20 years, WR Group Consumer Health Brands has enriched the lives of consumers around the world and stood as a leader in health and wellness by introducing innovative products and solutions to the marketplace. Their extensive portfolio includes 17 award-winning brands with over 1000 products, which we distribute throughout the United States and more than 50 countries worldwide.

WR Group is known for its innovative brands in a variety of spaces across multiple health & wellness categories including diet, nutrition, vitamins, whole food powders, baby care, oral care and overall personal wellness categories. These brands; including BareOrganics Superfoods, Probiogen Smart Spore Probiotics, Oralgen NuPearl Natural Teeth Whitening and Foligain Therapeutic Hair Solutions, have become trusted by millions of consumers in the wellness space.

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PreCheck Named a Top 10 Healthcare Solutions Provider by CEO Views


PreCheck Named a Top 10 Healthcare Solutions Provider by CEO Views

More than ever, we are committed to resolving healthcare’s talent acquisition challenges with our disruptive innovation in employment screening.

PreCheck, a background screening and credentialing firm specializing in healthcare, today announced it was named by CEO Views magazine as one of the Top 10 Healthcare Solutions Providers for 2021. This distinction recognizes the top healthcare solution providers who offer the best-in-class within the technology landscape. PreCheck’s suite of solutions address the compliance challenges and employment screening needs of healthcare organizations.

“It’s an honor to be recognized as a leading healthcare solutions provider by CEO Views,” said Zach Daigle, President of PreCheck. “In today’s highly competitive, dynamically changing healthcare environment, the ability to provide quality care begins with hiring and retaining the most qualified talent. Throughout the years, PreCheck has become the pre-eminent provider of talent screening and credentialing for the healthcare industry. More than ever, we are committed to resolving healthcare’s talent acquisition challenges with our disruptive innovation in employment screening.”

Today, PreCheck offers a wide range of tech-enabled services catered to healthcare organizations, including employment screening and credentialing, professional license monitoring, exclusion and sanction screening, immunization tracking, electronic I-9, E-Verify processing, drug testing and employee health testing. For more information about PreCheck’s award-winning suite of solutions, visit http://www.PreCheck.com.

About PreCheck

Founded in 1983, PreCheck has focused exclusively on serving the healthcare industry’s background screening and employment qualification needs since 1993. PreCheck serves over 5,000 hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, educational institutions, and other ancillary healthcare organizations, across the U.S. PreCheck has evolved over time from a background screening provider into a turnkey outsourcing solutions provider, offering a full suite of background screening, compliance monitoring, and credentialing solutions all designed to help its clients adhere to the extensive regulations governing the healthcare industry. Based in Houston, PreCheck six-time recognized Inc. 5000 company and has achieved Background Screening Credentialing Council Accreditation by the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA). Please visit http://www.precheck.com for more information.

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American Pharmaceutical Review, a Division of CompareNetworks, Inc. Acquires Tablets & Capsules Magazine from CSC Publishing


American Pharmaceutical Review Acquires Tablets & Capsules Magazine from CSC Publishing

American Pharmaceutical Review Acquires Tablets & Capsules Magazine from CSC Publishing

APR will be expanding the digital portfolio of T&C via the addition of eBooks, on-line product listings, webinars and eNewsletters.

CompareNetworks, Inc., a leading provider of online B2B marketplaces for the scientific and healthcare industries, today announced the asset acquisition of Tablets & Capsules (T&C) magazine, a former CSC Publishing publication.

T&C will join American Pharmaceutical Review (APR) in the CompareNetworks’ Pharmaceutical Development Group. “The acquisition of Tablets & Capsules marks a strategic effort to bolster content offerings, readership, and overall scope of our publication,” said Paul Gatti, CEO of CompareNetworks.

“Due to the complementary readership profiles of APR and Tablets & Capsules, we are confident that this venture will yield a mutually informative and beneficial experience for all readers,” said Laura Rice, Publisher of APR. “By adding more content on solid dosage technologies to APR’s industry-leading coverage of pharmaceutical R&D, QC/QA, and the fast-growing biopharmaceutical market, readers will enjoy an expanded view of the entire product development, testing and manufacturing process.”

As part of the asset acquisition, APR will be expanding the digital portfolio of T&C via the addition of eBooks, on-line product listings, webinars and eNewsletters. “The addition of these resources will provide pharmaceutical researchers and manufacturers a broader range of information to effectively bring products to market,” said Rice. “The expansion of these digital vehicles will also enable equipment and service providers to reach a larger audience than before as the circulations of both publications will be combined, resulting in more marketing opportunities for current and future advertisers.”

“Tablets & Capsules magazine has served the solid dosage segment of the pharmaceutical industry for many years and we’re excited to continue to provide relevant and timely information to the same audience and communities,” said Paul Gatti, CEO of CompareNetworks.

Tablets & Capsules

Tablets & Capsules (http://www.tabletscapsules.com) provides practical information about the formulation, production, and packaging of solid dosage forms, including powders, gums, and films. Technical articles focus on the materials, processes, and equipment used to make solid dosage forms. The articles examine what’s new, offer troubleshooting advice, discuss equipment selection, provide formulation guidance, and show how companies have resolved their process problems. T&C’s readers take part in every activity related to solid dosage forms, from R&D and product development to commercial manufacture and quality assurance.

American Pharmaceutical Review

American Pharmaceutical Review (http://www.americanpharmaceuticalreview.com) is a leading journal for business and technology in the pharmaceutical industry. Offering unbiased editorial on drug delivery, information technology, research & development, analytical development and control, equipment and facility manufacturing and regulatory affairs, American Pharmaceutical Review keeps its users fully abreast of the latest trends and developments in the process of pharmaceutical manufacturing.

CompareNetworks, Inc.

CompareNetworks (http://www.comparenetworks.com) operates targeted, online, B2B marketplaces for professionals worldwide. Focused on providing detailed product information for niche markets, CompareNetworks integrates online marketplaces, email newsletters, award-winning video, whitepapers and editorial content to bring buyers and sellers together. With an extensive directory of millions of products and parts with complete specifications and thousands of product videos, CompareNetworks provides the most up-to-date B2B marketplaces on the Web.

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Ocean County Sports Medicine Partners With ConMed Linvatec™


Dr. Joseph C. Tauro with Dr Alex Castagna form Milan, Italy, working in the ConMed Linvatec laboratory in Largo, Florida.

“I am very encouraged that the biceps superior capsular reconstruction will be a great advance in our ability to help patients who have these difficult rotator cuff tears,” Dr. Tauro noted.

Ocean County Sports Medicine (OCSM) has announced it is partnering with a global leader in orthopedic implants, ConMed Linvatec™, on biceps superior capsular reconstruction. This new technique involves using the biceps tendon as a graft to fill a remaining defect or reinforce the repair of a weak or irreparable rotator cuff.

OCSM was established in 1988 by Dr. Joseph C. Tauro, a nationally recognized innovator in orthopedic care for surgical and non-surgical musculoskeletal problems. Dr. Tauro was recently in Largo, Florida in the ConMed lab perfecting this technique. “I am very encouraged that the biceps superior capsular reconstruction will be a great advance in our ability to help patients who have these difficult rotator cuff tears,” Dr. Tauro noted.

Conmed Linvatec™ is a leader in the fields of arthroscopy, multi-specialty endoscopic medical video systems and powered surgical instruments. “One of the greatest problems with rotator cuff repair is how to repair very large tears that are contracted and/or have poor tendon quality,” said Dr. Tauro. “The advantage of this technique is that the biceps tendon is a living graft and is already attached on the side of the joint where cadaver grafts formerly had to be sewn.”

As a professor at Rutgers Medical School and a national lecturer, Dr. Tauro assures his patients that they will be provided with the finest care available anywhere in the country. “A large part of our commitment to our patients involves the development of new and better techniques to provide the very best outcomes when surgery is required.”

Ocean County Sports Medicine is located at 9 Hospital Drive, Toms River, NJ 08755. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tauro, please visit http://www.oceancountysportsmedicine.com or call 732-741-3247.

About Ocean County Sports Medicine

Ocean County Sports Medicine, a comprehensive, regional orthopedic practice in Toms River, NJ, was established in 1988 by Dr. Joseph C. Tauro, a nationally recognized innovator in orthopedic care for surgical and non-surgical musculoskeletal problems. To learn more, visit http://www.oceancountysportsmedicine.com. Facebook: @OceanCountySportsMedicine Twitter: @OCSM_

About Dr. Joseph C. Tauro, MD

Dr. Joseph C. Tauro, MD has traveled extensively both nationally and internationally to teach advanced surgical techniques to other doctors. He is a member of the Board of Directors of AANA(the Arthroscopy Association of North America), a national and international organization for the advancement of orthopedic surgery in the United Statesand in 80 countries globally. Dr. Tauro currently leads Ocean County Sports Medicine. He is also a Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark, NJ.

https://oceancountysportsmedicine.com/dr-tauro-blog/

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RCare announces new partnership with Medtelligent, creator of EHR system ALIS


ALIS and RCare

ALIS and RCare partnership

“Both companies prioritize the resident, even down to the data level. Both are committed to providing value to the integration. Both are committed to making sure our clients using the integration are really benefiting from the value add,” said Trisha Cole.

RCare, creator of advanced nurse call and monitoring solutions for the entire spectrum of senior care, announced a new partnership with Medtelligent, creator of the electronic health records (EHR) system ALIS, widely used in Assisted Living, Independent Living and Memory Care communities.

RCare is the first nurse call system to integrate with ALIS. The integration between the systems allows them to share data, providing greater staff efficiencies and data accuracy.

Phase 1 of the integration will include information sharing between the two systems. When a resident is added to one system, the information will automatically be added to the other system, eliminating the need for duplicate data entry. When residents are transferred or discharged, they will be removed from both systems.

“Data entry is very time consuming, and this integration allows us to cut the entry time in half,” said Ashley Flann, RCare’s Director of Marketing. “And that’s incredibly important, but it also ensures better accuracy.”

The integration is unique in that it allows for the bi-directional flow of data between the two systems. “This is going to be the most powerful, all-encompassing integration on the market,” said Trisha Cole, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel for Medtelligent. “And it gets better. As we move into the next phase, our goal is to give big senior living portfolios an overview of how their care is trending. It will be a real game changer for assisted living portfolio groups. The holy grail is to help with resident holistic health, and staffing. With all the data together, you’ll have a really complete picture of your staffing needs, at the building level, and also aggregated across all your properties.”

It was a mutual client who introduced the idea of integrating the two companies’ flagship products. Once they began looking into it, the companies discovered they matched up well philosophically. “Partnering with another best of breed company just makes sense,” said Cole. “Both companies prioritize the resident, even down to the data level. Both are committed to providing value to the integration. Both are committed to making sure our clients using the integration are really benefiting from the value add.”

“We have taken two systems from two extremely cutting-edge companies and have created a seamless integration,” said Flann. “When you’re both really collaborative, you get great innovation.”

ABOUT MEDTELLIGENT

Medtelligent makes ALIS: software purpose-built for clinical management, billing, and operational reporting in assisted living, memory care, and independent living communities. ALIS is designed to solve senior living-specific challenges including regulatory compliance management across different states, full eMAR management and drug counting, integrated assessments, and family engagement. To learn more, visit medtelligent.com.

ABOUT RCARE

RCare is a global provider of nurse call and personal emergency response systems for the entire spectrum of eldercare and senior living. Our mission is simple: To improve the lives of seniors and those who care for them. RCare works together with distribution partners to build individualized, flexible and seamless systems to enhance both caregiving and resident quality of life! Contact info@rcareinc.com or call 585-671-4144.

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With a history of radon reports and studies, Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction (CR3) will raise the bar on advocacy


https://joom.ag/PQEI

To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle … George Orwell.

According to data from New Choice Health, the price range for a conventional chest CT scan is between $350 to $6,750, putting the national average price at $3,275. Lung cancer or cancer that starts in the lungs is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with smokers at greatest risk for contracting the disease. Radon-related lung cancer kills over 21,000 people per year in the U.S. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death, with a 2020 estimate of 2.21 million cases deaths per year according to the World Health Organization.

“The studies to make a case for considering radon gas as a major oppressor are there,” says Jackie Nixon, CR3’s Pennsylvania radon advocate and stage one lung cancer survivor. “It’s time to start bridging the gap by tying the exposure to elevated levels of radioactive radon to the necessity of low-dose CT scans for at risk individuals. My cancer was found early, the tumor removed; and I didn’t even need chemotherapy, radiation or medication! This can be done for many which would reduce deaths and medical costs. If we could ask the 21,000 people in the U.S. that died from radon-related lung cancer what they would say, they may respond, ‘Why didn’t we know’. Early detection through a CT scan can help reduce costs and deaths from lung cancer.”

In particular, a 2016 NIH cost comparative study for lung cancer treatment typically involves one or more of the following approximate cost options, alone or in combination: surgery which can cost $15,000 or more; chemotherapy, which can cost $10,000 -$200,000 or more; radiation therapy, which can cost $10,000-$50,000 or more; and/or drug therapy, which can cost as much as $4,000 or more a month depending on the drug used. The 2021 Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer finds that cancer patients in the United States shoulder a large amount of cancer care costs. In 2019, the national patient economic burden associated with cancer care was $21.09 billion, made up of patient out-of-pocket costs of $16.22 billion and patient time costs of $4.87 billion. Patient time costs reflect the value of time that patients spend traveling to and from health care, waiting for care, and receiving care, according to the report. While this analysis is about the costs that are directly incurred by patients, which are critical to patient finances, the total overall costs of cancer care and lost productivity in the United States are much larger.

Gloria Linnertz, Founder of Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction stated, “Not only should CR3 educate homeowners, renters, school officials, and physicians about the danger of radioactive radon exposure and encourage them to test to determine the radon level in their environments, but we must strive for increased awareness and encouragement for the recognition of low-dose CT scans for individuals with long-term and or high levels of radon exposure.

CR3 will ramp up radon their “Do The Ask” awareness campaign with increased dissemination of information that will include encouraging people in high-risk radon areas to ask their doctors about radon testing and early detection measures like low-dose CT Scans. We hope to electronically distribute the newly developed National Radon Action Plan to health departments throughout the nation and to supply cancer centers and primary care physicians with the revised version of “Reducing the Risk from Radon! Information and Interventions A Guide for Health Care Providers”. http://www.radonleaders.org/sites/default/files/2020-11/HCProvGuide%20Update%209-17-20.pdf

#LungsWorkFromHome

CR3 News Magazine 2021 VOL 4: November “National Lung Cancer Awareness Month: “The Elephant in the Room”

Direct Link: https://joom.ag/PQEI

CR3 News Magazine Newsstand: https://newsstand.joomag.com/en?q=CR3+News+Magazine

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citizens4radonreduction.org

info@citizens4radonreduction.org

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Dermatopathologist Eva Vertes George Joins PathologyWatch Team


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PathologyWatch, a full-service digital pathology service, is pleased to welcome Dr. Eva Vertes George, MD, to its clinical team. A highly qualified and respected dermatopathologist, Dr. George’s expertise in melanoma, autoimmune conditions and inflammatory skin conditions aligns with PathologyWatch’s goals to support the most comprehensive and best-quality patient care while reducing healthcare costs.

“We are impressed with the enthusiasm and depth of expertise that Dr. George brings to the people of Florida and all over the United States,” says Dan Lambert, cofounder and chief executive officer of PathologyWatch.

Dr. George completed her residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at the University of Florida. Her fellowship was in dermatopathology at the University of Florida, and she is US-board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology and dermatopathology.

Although she enjoys all aspects of clinical pathology, her focus is melanoma. “I love it all, but I would say the part that grabs me is melanoma. There’s still so much that we don’t know about them. As we continue understanding the different variants, it’s about making sure we get the correct diagnosis so that patients receive the best care possible.”

As a strong supporter of digital pathology, Dr. George was drawn to PathologyWatch in part because of its commitment to opening up access to qualified patient care to the international community. “The idea that a biopsy can be done anywhere in the world, digitized, and then read by a pathologist from a different place in the world is very exciting. The possibilities are endless with that kind of instant accessibility,” said Dr. George.

“One of the most valuable parts of digital pathology is that it is going to enhance the accuracy of the diagnosis in a timely manner. It enables the transfer of information more readily and then extends that service to rural areas,” said Dr. George. “I truly believe digital pathology is the future.”

For more information, please email info@pathologywatch.com or visit us at pathologywatch.com.

About PathologyWatch

PathologyWatch is the groundbreaking leader of digital dermatopathology services. Through these services, dermatology clinics, hospitals and laboratories can improve operational efficiency by speeding up workflow and enhancing patient outcomes by utilizing the PathologyWatch expert professional team and laboratory services. This can facilitate best-in-class reads and, in some cases, enable additional revenue to the practice by in-housing pathology. With an intuitive and easy-to-implement digital pathology solution that includes access to top-tier dermatopathologists and a streamlined clinical workflow that interfaces directly into the EMR, PathologyWatch brilliantly combines state-of-the-art technology and clinical decision-making to deliver unprecedented patient care.

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Roswell Park Researchers Identify Key Link Between Stress and Cancer


Elizabeth Repasky, PhD, left, and Hemn Mohammadpour, PhD, DVM, immunology researchers from Roswell Park, report new findings about the role certain immune cells play in affecting response to cancer treatment.

Elizabeth Repasky, PhD, left, and Hemn Mohammadpour, PhD, DVM, from Roswell Park report new findings about the role certain immune cells play in affecting response to cancer treatment.

This study provides some very important clues that help explain the specific mechanisms by which prolonged stress stimulates tumor growth and decreases lifespan.

Stress can have a significant negative effect on health, but our understanding of how stress impacts the development and progression of cancer is just beginning. A team from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center has identified an important mechanism by which chronic stress weakens immunity and promotes tumor growth. Their findings, just published in Cell Reports, point to the beta-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) as a driver of immune suppression and cancer growth in response to stress, opening the possibility of targeting this receptor in cancer therapy and prevention.

Using a preclinical model of triple-negative breast cancer, a research team led by Hemn Mohammadpour, PhD, DVM, a postdoctoral research affiliate in the lab of Elizabeth Repasky, PhD, and Dr. Repasky, who is Co-Leader of the Cell Stress and Biophysical Therapies Program and the Dr. William Huebsch Professor in Immunology at Roswell Park, found that as tumors grow, they become more sensitive to stress signals coming from the nervous system. Specifically, the researchers discovered that a population of immune cells known as myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) show an increase in the expression of β-AR, a molecule that controls the function of key immune cells.

The findings will help researchers better understand why prolonged exposure to stress often makes our immune system less effective, and build on Roswell Park’s pioneering research into the relationship between stress and cancer.

“This increase in β-AR expression on myeloid-derived suppressor cells allows these cells to be stimulated by the stress hormone norepinephrine, which fosters an immunosuppressed environment that promotes tumor growth by increasing MDSCs’ ability to generate and process energy and suppress anti-tumor immune response,” says Dr. Mohammadpour, the paper’s first author. “This study provides some very important clues that help explain the specific mechanisms by which prolonged stress stimulates tumor growth and decreases lifespan.”

While there has been a longstanding recognition that long periods of stress, or chronic activation of nerves, are harmful to overall health, details about how this occurs are unclear, especially in the setting of cancer. A better understanding of the specific ways in which stress influences cancer, particularly in terms of lowering immunity against tumor cells, could be used to design new drugs or therapies that can help to minimize negative effects of chronic stress and boost cancer immunotherapy.

Based on these findings, Dr. Repasky’s team is planning new clinical and laboratory studies to identify therapies — including existing therapies already approved for other applications — that can block these harmful stress signals and stop the negative cycle of cancer growth and metastasis.

“This is especially important for cancer patients, who frequently endure greatly increased levels of stress after their diagnosis, including anxiety, depression and worry about factors like finances and family interactions,” adds Dr. Mohammadpour.

Several clinical trials are planned or underway to investigate which interventions are most effective at mitigating the effects of stress in patients with cancer. Roswell Park is currently studying the effects of combining the β-AR blocker propranolol, which is traditionally used to treat migraine headache and various heart problems, with immunotherapy.

The study, “β2-adrenergic receptor signaling regulates metabolic pathways critical to myeloid-derived suppressor cell function within the TME,” was supported by the National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute (grants R01CA205246, R01CA099326, R01CA172105, F32CA239356, K99 HL155792, T32CA085183 and F30CA265127 and P30CA016056, Roswell Park’s core grant from the NCI) and by the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation.

Co-authors include Philip McCarthy, MD, Professor of Oncology and Internal Medicine and Director of Roswell Park’s Transplant & Cellular Therapy Center; Scott Abrams, PhD, Co-Leader of Roswell Park’s Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Program; and Cameron MacDonald, a predoctoral trainee in immunology.

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This release is also available at https://www.roswellpark.org/newsroom/202111-roswell-park-researchers-identify-key-link-between-stress-cancer

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is a community united by the drive to eliminate cancer’s grip on humanity by unlocking its secrets through personalized approaches and unleashing the healing power of hope. Founded by Dr. Roswell Park in 1898, it is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. Learn more at http://www.roswellpark.org, or contact us at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or ASKRoswell@RoswellPark.org.

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Fibroid Coalition Says CMS Cut Will Result In Unnecessary Hysterectomies


FreeFromFibroids.org

The 21% cut was not necessary and will undermine quality of care for patients.

Today, the Fibroid Coalition responded to this week’s CMS announcement that will impose a 21% cut to the Physician Fee Schedule. The drastic cut will adversely affect radiologists who perform UFE and the women they treat for fibroids because the end result is out-patient centers being forced to close their doors.

The Fibroid Coalition believes that this round of cuts will undermine the Biden Administration’s attempts to close the racial equity gap that exists in healthcare and will reduce options for women suffering from fibroids, leaving them with no choice but to get a hysterectomy.

Since fibroids disproportionately affect women of color, this will add to a growing list of health disparities in an already underserved population. Furthermore, the closing of out-patient centers will lead to greater disparity and decreased care to minority communities.

Dr. John Lipman, the founder of the Fibroid Coalition, said, “The 21% cut was not necessary and will undermine quality of care for patients. Budget neutrality has a place in federal spending policy but this isn’t it. Sadly, it means that more women are likely to receive an unnecessary hysterectomy. This decision will increase costs for our health care system and cut off access to a non-surgical treatment option for women suffering from fibroids. Congress must act immediately to reverse these cuts and support women suffering from fibroids.”

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