Biomedical subjects

Sheila Peters

Publications and source records attributed to Sheila Peters.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Genetic predictors of adverse radiotherapy effects: the Gene-PARE project.

PURPOSE: The development of adverse effects resulting from the radiotherapy of cancer limits the use of this treatment modality. The validation of a test capable of predicting which patients would be most likely to develop adverse responses to radiation treatment, based on the possession of specific genetic variants, would therefore be of value. The purpose of the Genetic Predictors of Adverse Radiotherapy Effects (Gene-PARE) project is to help achieve this goal. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A continuously expanding biorepository has been created consisting of frozen lymphocytes and DNA isolated from patients treated with radiotherapy. In conjunction with this biorepository, a database is maintained with detailed clinical information pertaining to diagnosis, treatment, and outcome. The DNA samples are screened using denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and the Surveyor nuclease assay for variants in ATM, TGFB1, XRCC1, XRCC3, SOD2, and hHR21. It is anticipated that additional genes that control the biologic response to radiation will be screened in future work. RESULTS: Evidence has been obtained that possession of variants in genes, the products of which play a role in radiation response, is predictive for the development of adverse effects after radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: It is anticipated that the Gene-PARE project will yield information that will allow radiation oncologists to use genetic data to optimize treatment on an individual basis.

Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins↗

PubMed2005

Cellular response to DNA damage.

Eukaryotic cells, from yeast to man, possess evolutionarily conserved mechanisms to accurately and efficiently repair the overwhelming majority of DNA damage, thereby ensuring genomic integrity. Important repair pathways include base excision repair, nucleotide excision repair, mismatch repair, non-homologous end-joining, and homologous recombination. Defects in DNA repair processes generally result in susceptibility to cancer and, often, abnormalities in multiple organ systems. While signal transduction pathways have been intensely studied, epigenetic changes occurring in response to DNA damage are rapidly increasing in importance. Effective radiation and chemotherapy sensitization could result from selective inhibition of DNA repair in tumor cells. DNA damage repair is a dynamic field of research where the fruits of basic research often have important clinical implications.

DNA↗

PubMed2005

Complementing the patient: a complement component deficiency in a patient with recurrent infections and glomerulonephritis.

We present a case showing the investigation of a 7-year-old girl with empyema and glomerulonephritis whose "immunological" defect was a single complement component (C2) deficiency which prevented her from activating her classical complement pathway. A defect in complement function should be suspected in any patient with severe or recurring pyogenic infections. Investigations of "? immune deficiency" should always include tests to assess the patency of the patient's complement system.

Child↗