Research: Cancer Host and Environment

Cancer Host and Environment is a fundamental and translational program.

Research members are focused on the interaction of cancer with host tissues—mechanistically understanding cell migration and division within the tumor microenvironment, consequences of malignancy on host systems that impact outcomes for cancer patients, parameters in the host that promote or impede cancer progression, and the response to clinical interventions.

Theme One

Mechanisms and host biomarkers of cancer initiation, division, and progression.

Theme Two

Cancer interventions: harnessing host and tumor characteristics.

Theme Three

Mitigating the impact of cancer and treatment on the host.

in grant funding awarded in 2023.

Program Impact

New clinical trial investigates if exercise can help lung cancer patients.

Hibba tul Rehman, MD, Farrah Khan, MD, Ryan Walsh, MD, Joyce-Christie Le, MD, and George Davis are collaborating on a new clinical trial which gives advanced lung cancer patients access to a structured exercise program offered in-person or through a virtual platform. The goal of the program is to solve problems with muscle loss from cancer and its treatment as well as improve cancer control outcomes. The outcomes of the study will be measured using assessments of muscle strength and size. Significantly, this initiative has the potential to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients using nonmedicinal methods.

Multidisciplinary care initiative for patients with brain metastases.

Patients with brain metastases face unique challenges when navigating the health care system and seeking care. In part due to the complexity of the disease and unique manifestations in individuals, patients often need to see multiple physicians from multiple specialties, generally in different practice locations. Led by Alissa Thomas, MD, and sponsored by the UVM Cancer Center and the Juckett Foundation, a new investigator-initiated prospective cohort study is actively enrolling patients. This study will investigate if intentional multidisciplinary care can improve symptom management and prognostic awareness in patients experiencing brain metastases.

New study highlights muscle adaptations that contribute to cancer related fatigue.

Michael Toth, PhD, and cancer center colleagues Hibba tul Rehman, MD, and Kim Dittus, MD, PhD, recently published “Skeletal muscle adaptations in patients with lung cancer: Longitudinal observations from the whole body to cellular level” in the Journal of Cachexia Sarcopenia and Muscle. This study was the first to describe how cancer and its treatment promote skeletal muscle loss and weakness using longitudinal assessments at the cellular and molecular level. These maladaptations in skeletal muscle may contribute to cancer-related fatigue, which afflicts a large majority of patients and is often cited as the disabling side effect.