– This is essay should summarize why I have selected this experience (research) as one of your most meaningful. you might consider the transformative nature of the experience: the impact you made while engaging in the experience and the personal growth you experienced as a result of your participation.
– This essay should not exceed 1325 characters
I am currently working at roswell park comprehensive cancer center as a medical scribe in GI clinic and on the side I am part of a research project
Research Aim:
1) Analyze pre-treatment CT scans at the L3 slice using the Slice-O-matic software to determine skeletal muscle, visceral adipose, and subcutaneous adipose tissue parameters for EGC patients who received PD-1 Mono-therapy.
2) Measure sarcopenia using skeletal muscle index (SMI=skeletal muscle area/m2)
3) Quantify total adipose tissue index (TATI) and skeletal muscle gauge (SMG=SMIX skeletal muscle tensity)
Summary of research project:
– BMI is the most commonly used diagnostic tool for characterizing generalized obesity. Despite frequent use of BMI, it cannot distinguish between lean and fat body mass. Abdominal obesity, which is characterized as increased adipose tissue surrounding the intra-abdominal organs, is also referred to as visceral or central obesity. CT imaging has been used to crudely predict visceral adiposity by providing a cross-sectional area of visceral fat as an accurate and reliable equivalent to visceral fat volume measurement.
Obesity is a strong risk factor for patients with gastro-esophageal cancers. We are looking at these patients treated with immune checkpoint blockades.
Prior studies have been shown that obesity enhances PD-1 mediated T cell dysfunction in a mechanism involving leptin signaling. Paradoxically, it results in a superior response in obese patients with to anti PD1 immune check point inhibitors.
