Moderated Poster Discussions - T1 Research/Science

Monday, April 14, 2025
5:30 pm - 6:45 pm

T1 Research/Science: Translation to humans, including proof of concept studies, Phase 1 clinical trials, and focus on new methods of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention in highly controlled settings.

ATTENUATED IMMUNE AND EXTRACELLULAR VESICLE RESPONSES TO AEROBIC EXERCISE IN T2D SUGGESTS IMPAIRED EXERCISE BIOLOGY (Endocrinology / Metabolism)
Jane Nakamura, University of Michigan
The insulin resistance that typifies type 2 diabetes (T2D) leads to alterations not only in metabolic functioning but also a host of other biological networks, including the immune system. Impaired immunity in T2D is associated with numerous comorbidities that adversely affect the quality of life in this population. Regular exercise can “reverse” adverse outcomes associated with T2D, whereby its beneficial effects are thought to be mediated through inter-organ cross talk via exerkines and extracellular vesicles (EVs). In healthy adults, the EVs released during exercise are associated with strengthening the immune system by mechanistically facilitating the adaptive exercise response. However, little research has been conducted establishing the exerkine and EV profile in individuals with T2D during acute exercise.

A RARE CASE OF LUNG CANCER METASTATIC TO THE STOMACH AND PERITONEUM (Hematology and Oncology / Bone Marrow Transplant)
Milania J. Agajanian, Loyola Marymount University
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is metastatic to the stomach and peritoneum is a rare presentation accounting for less than 1% of cases. NSCLC more typically spreads to the brain, liver, bones and adrenal glands. While management of more common organ specific metastases are well established with NSCLC, gastric and peritoneal have little to no guidance from society guidelines. This results in poorer prognosis for these patients.

SUPERIOR VENA CAVA SYNDROME FROM MEDIASTINAL GERM CELL TUMOR (Hematology and Oncology / Bone Marrow Transplant)
Isabella C. Agajanian, BS, University of California, San Diego
Primary mediastinal germ cell tumors (PMGCTs) are rare and aggressive malignancies representing about 1-3% of all germ cell cancers and 10-15% of all anterior mediastinal malignancies. Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome occurs when the SVC is occluded, resulting in facial edema, neck distention, dilated chest wall veins, and dyspnea. SVC syndrome is an oncologic emergency affiliated with high mortality if untreated, and most cases have been associated with lung cancer. While it only affects 10% of mediastinal tumors, it has been seldom reported for PMGCTs. Prompt clinical intervention with chemotherapy, stents, and radiation is needed to impede clinical deterioration.

EVALUATING A NOVEL HOST-IMMUNE RESPONSE ASSAY FOR ACUTE RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT (Infectious Disease / Immunization)
Helena Ikenberry, BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health
Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are a common cause of emergency department (ED) visits but difficulty distinguishing between viral and bacterial etiologies often results in the inappropriate use of antibiotics. Current methods for distinguishing viral and bacterial ARTIs, such as microbiological tests (e.g. cultures, respiratory pathogen panels) and host proteins like procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP), have limitations related to turn around time and diagnostic performance. The MeMed BV® (Bacterial Viral) test is a recently FDA-approved host-immune response test to aims to help distinguish between viral and bacterial ARTIs. It is an automated semi-quantitative immunoassay which integrates the levels of three host proteins (TRAIL, IP-10, and CRP) and uses proprietary mathematical modeling to compute the probability of a viral versus bacterial infection.