Dr. Ami A Shah from Johns Hopkins discusses the link between Scleroderma and cancer risk, highlighting specific antibody profiles as indicators. The podcast explores genetic alterations, biomarkers, and collaborations in examining this connection. Dr. Shah also shares her journey to becoming a physician-scientist, mentoring others in Scleroderma research through a K24 grant, and emphasizing leadership and collaboration in the Rheumatology Division at Johns Hopkins.
Specific antibodies in scleroderma patients can indicate varying levels of cancer risk, with some antibodies linked to higher risks.
Analyzing combinations of scleroderma autoantibodies can help predict personalized cancer risks for patients.
Deep dives
The Link Between Cancer and Scleroderma
Patients with scleroderma can have an increased risk of cancer, especially those with specific antibodies like anti-RNA polymerase 3. The study explores the connection between autoimmune responses in scleroderma patients and their risk of developing cancer. It suggests that certain antibody profiles could serve as biomarkers for predicting cancer risk in scleroderma patients.
Analysis of Scleroderma Antibodies and Cancer Risk
Testing 11 scleroderma antibodies in over 1300 patients revealed that specific antibodies were associated with different cancer risks. For instance, anti-RNA polymerase 3 antibodies were linked to higher cancer risk, while anti-centromere antibodies showed a lower risk. This analysis aimed to provide insights into the role of scleroderma antibodies in stratifying patients based on their cancer risk.
Implications of Autoantibody Combinations in Cancer Risk
A random forest model identified combinations of scleroderma autoantibodies that could predict different levels of cancer risk. The study showed that certain combinations, such as anti-RNA polymerase 3 or mono-specific anti-Rho 52 antibodies, were associated with higher cancer risk. Understanding these antibody profiles could help in personalized risk assessment for cancer in scleroderma patients.
Is there an increased risk of cancer once a patient has Scleroderma? If so, what is the risk and how does one go about showing this? Dr. Ami A Shah, Director of the Division of Rheumatology at Johns Hopkins sits down with us to explain those answers. We go over the methods, results and conclusions of the recent study Distinct Scleroderma Autoantibody Profiles Stratify Patients for Cancer Risk at Scleroderma Onset and During the Disease Course published in Arthritis & Rheumatology. Afterward, Dr. Shah shares with us her journey to becoming a physician-scientist and mentoring others in Scleroderma research through a K24 grant.
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