Browsing by Author "Loehrer, P. J."

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    Absence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I and human foamy virus in thymoma
    (Springer, 2004-06) Li, H.; Loehrer, P. J.; Hisada, M.; Henley, J.; Whitby, D.; Engels, E. A.; Medicine, School of Medicine
    The cause of thymoma, a rare malignancy of thymic epithelial cells, is unknown. Recent studies have reported the detection of DNA from human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) and human foamy virus (HFV) in small numbers of thymoma tumours, suggesting an aetiologic role for these retroviruses. In the present study, we evaluated 21 US thymoma patients and 20 patients with other cancers for evidence of infection with these viruses. We used the polymerase chain reaction to attempt to amplify viral DNA from tumour tissues, using primers from the pol and tax (HTLV-I) and gag and bel1 (HFV) regions. In these experiments, we did not detect HTLV-I or HFV DNA sequences in any thymoma or control tissues, despite adequate sensitivity of our assays (one HTLV-I copy per 25 000 cells, one HFV copy per 7500 cells). Additionally, none of 14 thymoma patients evaluated serologically for HTLV I/II infection was positive by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), while five (36%) had indeterminate Western blot reactivity. In comparison, one of 20 US blood donors was HTLV-I/II ELISA positive, and nine (45%) donors, including the ELISA-positive donor, had indeterminate Western blot reactivity. Western blot patterns varied across individuals and consisted mostly of weak reactivity. In conclusion, we did not find evidence for the presence of HTLV-I or HFV in US thymoma patients.
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    The Kenya cancer research and control stakeholder program: Evaluating a bilateral partnership to strengthen national cancer efforts
    (Elsevier, 2017) Morgan, C.; Cira, M.; Karagu, A.; Asirwa, Fredrick C.; Brand, N. R.; Buchanan Lunsford, N.; Dawsey, S. M.; Galassi, A.; Korir, A.; Kupfer, L.; Loehrer, P. J.; Makumi, D.; Muchiri, L.; Sayed, S.; Topazian, H.; Welch, J.; Williams, M. J.; Duncan, K.; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Background In response to a growing cancer burden and need for improved coordination among stakeholders in Kenya, the US National Cancer Institute and the Kenya Ministry of Health collaboratively hosted a stakeholder meeting in 2014 which identified four priority areas of need (research capacity building, pathology and cancer registries, cancer awareness and education, and health system strengthening) and developed corresponding action plans. Methods Surveys were conducted with participants to collect input on the progress and impact of the 2014 stakeholder meeting. Findings Of 69 eligible participants, 45 responded from academia, healthcare institutions, civil society, government, and international agencies. Of the four technical focus areas, three have continued to conduct working group meetings and two have conducted in-person meetings to review and update their respective action plans. Accomplishments linked to or enhanced by the meeting include: Kenyan and international support for expansion of population-based cancer registries, increased availability of prioritized diagnostic tests in selected regional referral hospitals, a greater focus on development of a national cancer research agenda, strategic planning for a community education strategy for cancer awareness, and improved coordination of partners through in-country technical assistance. Interpretation The Stakeholder Program has successfully united individuals and organizations to improve cancer control planning in Kenya, and has enhanced existing efforts and programs across the country. This model of partners working in parallel on prioritized track activities has supported development of long term coordination of cancer research and control activities sustainable by the Kenyan government and Kenyan institutions.