Project description:Given that extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted from stem cells contain angiogenic microRNAs (miRNAs), these EVs show equivalent angiogenic therapeutic effect to cell transplantation. This study aimed to identify the angiogenic miRNAs from several miRNAs involved in EVs secreted from stem cells. In human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) under hypoxic culture, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) involved in EVs increased. We hypothesized that angiogenic miRNAs increase in EVs that are secreted from hDPSCs under hypoxic culture compared with those under normoxic culture. In the first screening, the expression levels of miRNAs involved in EVs that were secreted from hDPSCs cultured under hypoxic and normoxic conditions were analyzed using miRNA array. In the second screening, 12 miRNAs were individually involved in EVs, and the growth of human aortic endothelial cells was assayed. In the third screening, miRNA-encapsulated EVs were injected in BALB/c mouse hindlimb ischemia model, followed by angiogenesis evaluation by blood flow analysis. Results showed that miR-765 is an angiogenic miRNA, targeting the 3′ untranslated region of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) and upregulating fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, as an angiogenesis mechanism, miR-765 increased FGF2 expression levels by inhibiting DPP4.
Project description:RATIONALE: Screening may help doctors find colorectal cancer sooner, when it may be easier to treat. Finding out what affects a patient’s decision to undergo screening tests may help increase the number of patients who undergo regular screening for cancer. It is not yet known whether personalized invitations to undergo colorectal cancer screening are more effective than standard screening reminders.
PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying ways to increase colorectal cancer screening in African Americans.
Project description:Colorectal cancer screening remains lower than optimal. The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of phone-based motivational interviewing versus tailored communication versus usual care in increasing CRC screening in primary care clinics.
Project description:Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK, accounting for over 16,000 deaths per year. Screening can reduce deaths from bowel cancer if the people invited participate. The challenge is that high uptake of bowel screening is hard to achieve, and remains persistently below 65%.
The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) is the most widely used bowel screening test worldwide.
In the UK, FIT kits are mailed to people’s homes without guidance on when the kit should be returned and only brief instruction on how to use it. Some people have said that even though they intend to complete and return the kit, they often forget or put off doing it.
Two approaches are proposed to addressing this issue: i) providing a suggested deadline for FIT return, because it is known from breast and cervical cancer screening that giving people an appointment time increases uptake compared to an open invitation, and ii) planning sheets, that have been found to help people act on their intentions in other health contexts.
This trial aims to evaluate the impact of providing a suggested deadline and a planning sheet on the return of FIT bowel screening kits.
The trial is integrated within the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme. The investigators will randomly allocate 40,000 consecutive people that are due to be sent a FIT kit to one of eight groups:
(i) control group (no deadline, no planning sheet), (ii) intervention group (1-week deadline, no planning sheet), (iii) intervention group (2-week deadline, no planning sheet), (iv) intervention group (4-week deadline, no planning sheet), (v) intervention group (no deadline, with planning sheet), (vi) intervention group (1-week deadline, with planning sheet), (vii) intervention group (2-week deadline, with planning sheet), (viii) intervention group (4-week deadline, with planning sheet).
It will then be examined if having a suggested deadline and a planning sheet affects how many people send back their completed FIT kit. It will also be examined if the deadline length makes a difference and whether having both a deadline and a planning sheet affects the number of people returning their kit.
Finally, the cognitive and behavioural mechanisms underlying any intervention effects will be assessed and the acceptability of the interventions explored, using questionnaires and in-depth interviews.
Project description:The investigators hope to determine whether the addition of an FOBT kit and educational materials to a second mailed invitation compared to a second mailed invitation alone increases use of appropriate screening tests (FOBT for average risk or colonoscopy if increased risk) by eligible persons within 6 months of the second mailing in: (1)Non-responders to an initial mailed CRC screening invitation from their family physician and, (2)Those who responded to the initial mailed CRC screening invitation and are due for repeat screening (i.e., "recall" patients). In addition, the investigators will also explore the impact of the investigators intervention in likely under-screened groups such as those living in more remote areas of the province and those with low socio-economic status as well as assessing the cost-effectiveness of this strategy.
Project description:Develop and evaluate in a randomized trial an educational small group intervention to increase colorectal cancer screening among Filipino Americans.
Project description:Parent study:
A Coordinated Approach to Cancer and Health (CATCH), was designed to compare the efficacy of two intervention arms (described below) intended to increase breast, cervical, and colon cancer screening rates among patients served by community health centers. A central focus of CATCH is to evaluate sustainable strategies for maximizing cancer screening rates among populations facing significant cancer disparities.
CATCH was conducted in partnership with the large health clinic in Massachusetts, which serves a largely Hispanic low income population. Focusing on the use of an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone technology system, the study is examining the extent to which the IVR, when developed in a culturally sensitive and appropriate manner (focus groups will be conducted to inform the intervention), can improve breast, cervical and colon cancer screening rates compared to a control group. Furthermore, we plan to determine if pairing IVR with telephone calls from a prevention care coordinator (PCC) will result in higher screening rates (when compared to the IVR only group). We will determine the cost-effectiveness of IVR alone vs. IVR + PCC.
Substudy:
We conducted a substudy of the parent study, looking at a comparison of return rates of two colorectal cancer screening home test kits: Fecal Occult Bood Tests (gFOBTs) and Fecal Immunochemical Tests (FITs). As well we surveyed people who pick up one of these two types of tests to assess barriers and facilitators of returning the completed kit to the health center for assessment.
Project description:This study compares the efficacy (adherence and stage) of four interventions to promote colorectal (CRC) and breast cancer (BC) screenings among women ages 50 to 75. They are:
1. usual care;
2. a TIWeb (tailored intervention Website)
3. a CSC (cancer screening call) and
4. TIWeb + a CSC. This study also compares the cost-effectiveness of the 4 interventions to promote CRC and BC screening among women ages 50 to 75.
Project description:Background and study aims
Bowel cancer screening uptake has traditionally been lower than the government would like it to be. As screening can spot early signs of cancer and even stop bowel cancer from occurring, the public health service would like to improve screening rates.
This study aims to test a set of new, evidence-based materials, informed by psychological theory, to increase the return of the stool-based bowel cancer screening kit the NHS uses, in the North East region of England.
Who can participate?
Adults age 60 – 74 years eligible for bowel cancer screening
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of four groups. All participants are sent an initial invitation letter for bowel cancer screening and the standard NHS information booklet.
Those in the first group receive an intervention pack four days after the letter, with an information sheet and short paper based task encouraging them to connect barriers likely to be encountered with effective responses. They receive the bowel cancer screening test four days later.
Participants in the second group receive an intervention pack containing the information sheet and a motivational leaflet. They receive the screening kit in the post four days later.
Participants in the third group receive both of the above intervention packs in the post four days after the initial letter, before the screening kit four days later.
Participants in the last group receive no additional information, and get a screening kit in the post eight days after the initial letter.
Project description:The goal of this study is to evaluate whether an educational tool about colorectal cancer (CRC) completed on a computer that helps patients clarify their CRC screening preferences will lead to increased screening rates for CRC compared to standard information delivered via computer.