Cancer and DNA damage: Discovery by USA scientists may improve patient outcomes

Robert W. Sobol, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology, and Christopher A. Koczor, Ph.D., instructor of pharmacology, are studying genes and other factors that cause cancer. 

A discovery made by USA College of Medicine scientists may provide further understanding of genes and factors that cause cancer, its relation to DNA damage and provide better treatment options for patients. 

An article about the discovery recently was published in the scientific journal Cell Reports. It explores how the human genome constantly is damaged by environmental and cellular products, which could lead to cancer if not properly repaired. The study also delves into treatments for DNA damage and repair. The article, written by Robert W. Sobol, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology at the USA College of Medicine and chief of the Molecular and Metabolic Oncology Program at the Mitchell Cancer Institute (MCI), and co-authors, appeared in the October 2021 issue.

Genomes, comprised of DNA, are a complete set of genetic instructions. Each genome contains all the information needed to build an organism and allow it to grow and develop. It is critical for cells to keep the genome intact. This is the main function of more than 200 genes that are part of the cellular pathways governing DNA damage and repair. 

One cellular pathway, the base excision repair pathway, monitors the genome for small DNA lesions and repairs it if needed. This process occurs close to 20,000 times per cell, per day. Failure to repair these lesions could lead to mutations that could cause cancer. Several proteins that control the base excision repair pathway, known as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 2 (PARP2), are targets for drugs used to treat cancer. 

The goal of the study is to learn more about these critical proteins and how they respond to DNA damage. 

“This breakthrough research uses state-of-the-art microscopy and genetic techniques to follow the movement of key base excision repair pathways and their response to damage, which could be beneficial for patients,” said Sobol. “Future studies can build on this discovery as we continuously work to identify additional genes and factors that are defective or that may be considered biomarkers of response related to cancer.” 

The Molecular and Metabolic Oncology Program at the Mitchell Cancer Institute focuses on the cellular mechanisms of DNA repair and metabolism and how these processes impact cancer development and the response to cancer treatments.

Study co-authors from the USA College of Medicine and the MCI include Christopher A. Koczor, Ph.D., instructor of pharmacology; Jennifer Clark, Ph.D., instructor of pharmacology; Marie E. Migaud, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology; Jianfeng Li, Ph.D., assistant professor of pharmacology; Joel F. Andrews, Ph.D., manager of the MCI Cellular and Biomolecular Imaging Facility; Steve McClellan, manager of the MCI Flow Cytometry Facility; Qingming Fang, Ph.D., assistant professor of pharmacology; and Kate Saville, Md Ibrahim and Rasha Al-Rahahleh, USA College of Medicine graduate students.

Read the full article in Cell Reports. 

Volunteer opportunity: pediatric health camp on Saturday, Dec. 4

Students, faculty and staff are needed to volunteer this Saturday, Dec. 4, to help with a pediatric health camp from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cody Road Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 1900 Cody Road in Mobile.

Those who take part will be asked to help with the various stations at the health camp. Although this event caters to the Spanish-speaking population, volunteers do not need to speak Spanish to participate, organizers said. 

The health camp is sponsored by the Pediatric Residency Program Diversity Coalition in partnership with the Ascension Providence Guadalupe Center and the USA Regional Autism Network.

For more information, contact Renee Roca, M.D., at mrrocagarcia@health.southalabama.edu or Swati John, M.D., at sjohn@health.southalabama.edu.

Pathologist discusses cancer molecular profiling at national meeting

Thuy Phung, M.D., Ph.D., medical director of molecular pathology and dermatopathology at USA Health, is spreading the word about USA Health’s in-house molecular profiling program for cancer treatment.

Phung, who also is an associate professor of pathology at the USA College of Medicine, recently presented a workshop at the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) annual conference. She discussed the requirements for successful set-up and implementation of cancer molecular profiling at USA Health.

Molecular profiling quickly is becoming a critical tool in identifying genomic mutations that indicate a potential response to targeted cancer therapy. USA Health has partnered with Vancouver-based Canexia Health to bring oncology molecular capabilities in-house.

During the interactive virtual workshop, hosted by Canexia Health, Phung discussed how faster turnaround time and better management of patient data were among the advantages, as well as improved access to clinical trials, which enables precision oncology to be broadly accessible within community practices where most cancer patients are treated.

“I think we have put USA Health on the map in the molecular diagnostic world,” Phung said. “Some AMP attendees have already reached out to me about building their own in-house testing.”

The Association for Molecular Pathology advances the clinical practice, science and excellence of molecular and genomic laboratory medicine through education, innovation and advocacy. The society’s more than 2,500 members include pathologists, clinical laboratory scientists, technologists and clinicians.

Medical students collect 60 gift boxes for children in need

Second-year medical students Jessie Moore

and Rachel Emig coordinated an Operation

Christmas Child campaign.

A gift box campaign organized by two second-year medical students at the USA College of Medicine is sending 60 gifts to children around the world during the holidays.

Earlier this fall, Jessie Moore of Huntsville and Rachel Emig of Tuscaloosa coordinated an Operation Christmas Child campaign and invited faculty and fellow students to participate. The project is affiliated with Samaritan’s Purse, a faith-based relief organization.

Within weeks, donors contributed 60 shoeboxes filled with necessities and toys, and the students took them to a distribution site for delivery.

“We prayed for 25 boxes, and the Lord blessed this project greater than we could have imagined,” Moore said. “We would like to thank the staff and students at the College of Medicine, including the Christian Medical Ministry of South Alabama and the Pediatric Interest Group as our sponsors, along with family and friends. There will be some extremely excited children this Christmas season and into next year.”

Moore and Emig, who became friends as undergraduates at Mississippi State University, said they grew up participating in Operation Christmas Child at their hometown churches. “It is a tangible way to demonstrate God’s love to kids around the world,” Moore said.

Meet a Med Student: Brenna Katz

Brenna Katz

Age: 24

Class of: 2024

Hometown: Montgomery, Ala.

Undergrad/grad institution: Rhodes College

Degrees earned: Bachelor of Science in biology

Interests, hobbies: Binge watching the latest Netflix show, running and working out outdoors, and golfing.

Something unique about me: I have been to six music festivals, and I have run a marathon.

Three of my favorite things: Spending time with my family and friends at the lake, taking a long nap on a rainy day, and putting together charcuterie boards with friends.

What I enjoy most about being a student at the USA College of Medicine: I enjoy how much the faculty cares about each individual student.