“Research Attitude and Interest among Cancer Survivors with or without Cognitive Impairment” Study by Dr. Alexandre Chan, PhD Candidate Quinton Ng, and Undergraduate Student Daniella Chan Featured in Cancers Journal

A UC Irvine-led study featured in the medical journal Cancers found that cancer survivors with cognitive impairment had more interest in participating in research involving approved medications, lumbar puncture, and autopsies than those experiencing less cognitive symptoms. These results shed light on the feasibility of procedures that can advance research into the mechanisms of cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI).

Defined by a range of cognitive symptoms, including poor memory, concentration, and executive function, CRCI affects one in three patients due to their cancer treatment or the cancer itself.

As few therapy options are available, the researchers aimed to understand the interest of cancer survivors experiencing cognitive symptoms to participate in various research procedures in order to design impactful studies that appeal to these patients.

“While approved medications, lumbar puncture, and autopsies are not frequently implemented in CRCI research, these methodologies can help collect key data that advance the science of CRCI,” explained Dr. Alexandre Chan, corresponding author and Founding Chair of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice.

Lumbar puncture and autopsies can serve to verify the accuracy of CRCI biomarkers, thus improving our understanding of the processes underlying CRCI pathogenesis and progression. Validated biomarkers can serve as key targets for identifying drug molecules to be tested as a potential therapy for CRCI.

“Our continued research into establishing approved medications for CRCI will benefit immensely from the interest and support of cancer survivors towards these research procedures,” said Dr. Chan.

The study was co-authored by Quinton Ng, a pharmaceutical sciences PhD candidate, and Daniella Chan, a biological sciences undergraduate student. Ng and Chan received an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) summer fellow award to lead the study. The team also included Director of UCI MIND Dr. Joshua D. Grill and SOM Division of Radiation Oncology’s Dr. Munjal M. Acharya.