Selected ongoing research interests in the Cancer Prevention Program

Biomarkers, Genetics, and Chemoprevention

Gene-environmental interactions in cancer risk and etiology
Functional genomics of carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes
Role of DNA adducts from environmental carcinogens and endogenous compounds in cancer development
Mechanisms for interindividual variability in metabolism of environmental carcinogens and DNA repair
Mechanisms of carcinogen-induced mutagenesis and DNA repair
Regulation of cell cycle and cross signaling between cell cycle regulation and DNA repair
Regulation of carcinogen metabolizing enzymes
DNA-, protein- and serum-based intermediate biomarkers and their association with pathogenesis of cancer
Gene expression-based screening for assessment of risk of human cancers
Mechanisms by which estrogens regulate physiological functions in different cancer cell types, including breast and endometrial cancer cells, and lung adenocarcinoma cells
Identification and characterization of efficacious chemopreventive agents and their translation to chemopreventive intervention in clinical trials

Religiosity and cortisol rhythm in women with cancer
Spiritual expression and immune status in women with metastatic breast cancer
Knowledge, attitudes and clinical practices involving tobacco cessation among health care professionals
Health care disparities in cancer screening, etiology and prevention
Predictors of smoking initiation and smoking patterns among college students
Effects of life stress (trauma, socioeconomic status, early experience) on cancer patient quality of life and functional status
Quality of life, palliative care, and end of life care in cancer patients
Effects of psychosocial factors (depression, social support, coping mechanisms, personality) on cancer patient quality of life as well as recurrence and survival
Effects of health behavior (sleep, physical activity, diet) on cancer patient quality of life and functional status
Biological mediators of psychosocial effects on cancer outcomes, including neuroendocrine (glucocorticoids, catecholamines), immune (cellular and humoral responses), and inflammatory (TNF-alpha, IL-6, and CRP)
Behavioral, cognitive, and affective sequelae of cancer screening
Adjuvant treatment decision-making

Evaluation of programs to promote cancer screening among health care providers
Community application of HPV self-test for cervix cancer screening
Etiology and epidemiology of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Chemoprevention of liver cancer using Chinese herbal medicines
Legal, ethical, and policy issues regarding genetics, race and health care disparities
Cancer effects from long-term radiation exposures
Structural biology and functional genomics of cannabinoid receptors
Effects of tobacco exposure during pregnancy
Effects of obesity, weight change, physical activity, and body composition on cancer risk
Effects of diet in cancer initiation and prevention
Effects of tamoxifen or hormone replacement therapy on lung adenocarcinoma
Risk versus benefits of smokeless tobacco in patients in which other smoking cessation measures fail
Roles of diet, physical activity, and body weight in breast cancer risk and prognosis
Hormonal, molecular and genetic biomarkers for breast cancer risk and prognosis
Ethnic disparities in breast cancer risk and prognosis
Quality of life in long-term breast cancer survivors

Gene-environmental interactions in cancer risk and etiology
Functional genomics of carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes
Role of DNA adducts from environmental carcinogens and endogenous compounds in cancer development
Mechanisms for interindividual variability in metabolism of environmental carcinogens and DNA repair
Mechanisms of carcinogen-induced mutagenesis and DNA repair
Regulation of cell cycle and cross signaling between cell cycle regulation and DNA repair
Regulation of carcinogen metabolizing enzymes
DNA-, protein- and serum-based intermediate biomarkers and their association with pathogenesis of cancer
Gene expression-based screening for assessment of risk of human cancers
Mechanisms by which estrogens regulate physiological functions in different cancer cell types, including breast and endometrial cancer cells, and lung adenocarcinoma cells
Identification and characterization of efficacious chemopreventive agents and their translation to chemopreventive intervention in clinical trials

Religiosity and cortisol rhythm in women with cancer
Spiritual expression and immune status in women with metastatic breast cancer
Knowledge, attitudes and clinical practices involving tobacco cessation among health care professionals
Health care disparities in cancer screening, etiology and prevention
Predictors of smoking initiation and smoking patterns among college students
Effects of life stress (trauma, socioeconomic status, early experience) on cancer patient quality of life and functional status
Quality of life, palliative care, and end of life care in cancer patients
Effects of psychosocial factors (depression, social support, coping mechanisms, personality) on cancer patient quality of life as well as recurrence and survival
Effects of health behavior (sleep, physical activity, diet) on cancer patient quality of life and functional status
Biological mediators of psychosocial effects on cancer outcomes, including neuroendocrine (glucocorticoids, catecholamines), immune (cellular and humoral responses), and inflammatory (TNF-alpha, IL-6, and CRP)
Behavioral, cognitive, and affective sequelae of cancer screening
Adjuvant treatment decision-making

Evaluation of programs to promote cancer screening among health care providers
Community application of HPV self-test for cervix cancer screening
Etiology and epidemiology of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Chemoprevention of liver cancer using Chinese herbal medicines
Legal, ethical, and policy issues regarding genetics, race and health care disparities
Cancer effects from long-term radiation exposures
Structural biology and functional genomics of cannabinoid receptors
Effects of tobacco exposure during pregnancy
Effects of obesity, weight change, physical activity, and body composition on cancer risk
Effects of diet in cancer initiation and prevention
Effects of tamoxifen or hormone replacement therapy on lung adenocarcinoma
Risk versus benefits of smokeless tobacco in patients in which other smoking cessation measures fail
Roles of diet, physical activity, and body weight in breast cancer risk and prognosis
Hormonal, molecular and genetic biomarkers for breast cancer risk and prognosis
Ethnic disparities in breast cancer risk and prognosis
Quality of life in long-term breast cancer survivors