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Identifying Transcriptional Profiles and Evaluating Prognostic Biomarkers of HIV-associated Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma From Malawi

July 3, 2020
February 2020-This study provides among the first molecular characterizations of DLBCL from SSA, demonstrates marked gene expression differences by HIV status, and identifies genomic and immunophenotypic characteristics that can inform future basic and clinical investigations.

Outcomes and Prognostic Factors for Malawian Women with Breast Cancer

April 10, 2020
April 2020 – Breast cancer incidence in sub-Saharan Africa is increasing, and the region has the highest age-standardized breast cancer mortality rate worldwide. In a setting where breast cancer data are limited, our findings indicate that late stage presentation, HER2-enriched and triple-negative subtypes, and HIV coinfection were associated with mortality...

Modified EPOCH for High-Risk Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Sub-Saharan Africa

January 10, 2020
January 2020 – Aggressive NHL is among the most common cancers in SSA where CHOP is the standard treatment and outcomes are poor. We treated patients with a modified EPOCH regimen with moderate outcomes. Results indicate that this regimen was feasible and effective in a small cohort and suggest EPOCH...

High pretreatment plasma EBV DNA level is a poor prognostic marker in HIV-associated, EBV-negative DLBCL

December 3, 2019
November 2019 – Although plasma EBV DNA measurement has established prognostic utility in EBV‐driven lymphomas, findings from this study suggest that EBV reactivation in nontumor cells is a poor prognostic finding even in HIV‐positive patients with convincingly EBV‐negative DLBCL.

Fogarty Awards Two of Five U.S. International Research Scientist Development Awards to Malawi Cancer Program Faculty

October 17, 2019
To bolster promising global health research careers, Fogarty and its partners are awarding up to $9.9 million over five years through two career development programs. The grants will help ensure that advanced postdoctoral scientists and junior faculty have a pathway to independence, with protected time for research activities under the...

Facilitators and Barriers to Traditional Medicine Use Among Malawian Cancer Patients

October 10, 2019
October 2019 – Increasing access to conventional cancer treatment in low-income countries is an important public health initiative to address the global burden of cancer. Our findings indicate that cancer patients in our cohort rely on a pragmatic and experience-based treatment selection process and provide insights to the various factors that...

Microcosting Analysis of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Treatment in Malawi

July 11, 2019
July 2019 – Cost analysis of treating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in Malawi indicates that per-patient cost of first-line treatment of DLBCL in Malawi is low relative to high-income countries, suggesting that investments in fixed-duration, curative-intent DLBCL treatment may be attractive in sub-Saharan Africa.

Global Oncology

July 11, 2019
June 2019 – This article highlights the important role of cancer care and research outside the United States, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, in furthering innovative solutions for cancer that can be applied worldwide.

Award-Winning Artist, UNC Physician Partner to Raise Over $154,700 for Pediatric Cancer in Malawi

June 28, 2019
  Mark Robinson visits with a therapy dog at UNC Hospitals. Grammy-nominated musician, record producer, and Chapel Hill native Porter Robinson first met pediatric oncologist Dr. Kate Westmoreland in November 2016, when Porter’s younger brother Mark came into Dr. Westmoreland’s care at UNC Hospitals. Three years later, they have raised...

Epidemiological and Histopathological Profile of Malignant Melanoma in Malawi

April 10, 2019
April 2019 – Studies on malignant melanoma have largely focused on Caucasian populations with very limited data on the disease in black Africans. This retrospective study characterizes melanoma cases in Lilongwe, Malawi and demonstrates that malignant melanoma occurs in black Malawians and may be an under-appreciated malignancy.