Sylvester is making strides in predicting which patients will respond to immunotherapy. In a recent study, tumors were categorized into seven immune subtypes, with one subtype showing improved response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. This breakthrough could help identify patients who are good candidates for immunotherapy and lead to new treatments to make "immune cold" tumors more responsive to therapy. The study combined big data analysis and AI to refine these predictions and improve cancer care. Michele Ceccarelli, a University of Miami professor of computational oncology, co-led the study with co-author Antonio Iavarone, M.D., deputy director of Sylvester.
In the landmark multisite ANCHOR (Anal Cancer HSIL Outcomes Research) study, Sylvester contributed research that led to the release of the first federal guidelines for anal cancer screening in people with HIV. Isabella Rosa-Cunha, M.D., an associate professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Miller School and the initiator of the anal cancer prevention program at Sylvester and Jackson Memorial Hospital, was the principal investigator in Miami and JoNell Efantis Potter, Ph.D., APRN, FAAN, chief of the Women's HIV Service and vice chair of reproductive sciences at the Miller School, was a co-investigator on the ANCHOR study. The study demonstrated that treating anal pre-cancer lesions (HSIL) in HIV-positive individuals can reduce the risk of anal cancer by 60%. These findings directly informed the CDC's new guidelines, which call for regular screening of HIV-positive adults, particularly those over 35, using methods such as anoscopy and lab-based anal "Pap smears."
Steven Chen, Ph.D., a researcher at Sylvester, led a study that identified a 10-gene biomarker that predicts whether stage 2 or stage 3 colon cancer patients will benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. Using machine learning, the research team developed a model that outperforms previous methods in predicting chemotherapy responses. While still needing clinical trials for validation, this biomarker could enable personalized treatment decisions and even predict responses to immunotherapy.
Sophia George, Ph.D., and Matthew Schlumbrecht, M.D., M.P.H., researchers at Sylvester, are conducting a global study on the ovarian cancer drug niraparib, focusing on women of African descent. The research aims to understand the drug's safety, effectiveness and dosing for African populations. The study spans the U.S., the Caribbean and Nigeria.
Sylvester launched a new study focused on early lung cancer detection in Hispanics, especially those with a history of cancer, who are at three times greater risk of developing cancer. Led by Coral Olazagasti, M.D., a thoracic medical oncologist, Sylvester's study aims to improve screening access and awareness. Early detection through low-dose CT scans can reduce lung cancer mortality, and Sylvester is working to increase participation in this critical screening.
Smoking is linked to DNA mutations and worse outcomes in blood cancers like myelodysplastic syndromes. A study led by Sylvester found smokers had more genetic mutations and higher disease progression rates. The findings highlight the urgency of quitting smoking, even after diagnosis, to reduce mutations and improve survival. Sangeetha Venugopal, M.D., a physician-researcher at Sylvester, is the lead author of the study.
Sylvester conducted a multidisciplinary study on electric vehicle (EV) fires to understand the risks, especially for firefighters and communities. Alberto Caban-Martinez, Ph.D., D.O., M.P.H., deputy director of the Sylvester Firefighter Cancer Initiative (FCI) and professor of public health sciences at the Miller School, led the multidisciplinary, multi-institutional study of EV fires. The team's research focused on toxins released during EV fires, which include heavy metals and gases, and aims to improve safety protocols and public awareness.
In the wake of rising liver cancer rates in the U.S., particularly among Latinos, Sylvester is researching a major risk factor, MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease). Patricia D. Jones, M.D., Sylvester researcher, hepatologist and associate professor of clinical medicine at the Miller School, and Melissa Lopez-Pentecost, Ph.D., RDN, a post-doctoral research fellow and registered dietitian at Sylvester, are leading studies on how MASLD can lead to fatty liver and cirrhosis. Their research investigates genetic and behavioral factors in Latino populations to improve screening and early detection, focusing on diet, genetics and social factors.