TGen Talks

Scientists at TGen have released the results of a more than decade-long study into multiple myeloma. Looking at more than 1100 patients from four different countries, scientists identified new genetic subtypes of the disease, providing insights that could transform how we approach treatment (see related story above).

Listen as Jonathan Keats, Ph.D., the study's senior author discusses the findings, their impact on personalized medicine, and how TGen's advanced genomic sequencing is paving the way for more effective and individualized care. In particular, the study has identified a high-risk subgroup of patients with a distressingly short median survival, highlighting the urgent need for tailored therapies and innovative clinical trials.

Aging. It’s something we’d all like to do better.

Americans spend an estimated $5 Billion on anti-aging products every year. But at TGen and City of Hope, scientists like TGen distinguished professor Nicholas Schork, Ph.D., are working to unlock the secrets to not just better ‘aging,’ but disease prevention alongside longevity, and are making promising progress toward medications and methods that will be tailored to each specific person, rather than those that promise longer healthier lives for all.

In this episode of TGen Talks, our host Karie Dozer sits down with Schork to discuss the groundbreaking search for substances that can slow down aging. Imagine a daily pill that not only extends your lifespan but also your health span, delaying age-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Schork, with his extensive background in quantitative genetics and translational biomedical science, explains the exciting potential of longevity and health promoting interventions, termed ‘geroprotectors,’ and the race to develop them.

We'll explore the challenges and excitement of developing anti-aging interventions, the race to find effective solutions, and the potential of personalized treatments through “N-of-1” trials. Join us as we delve into the future of aging research and the hope it brings for healthier, longer lives.

On this month’s TGen Talks, David Engelthaler, Ph.D., professor and director of TGen’s Pathogen and Microbiome Division, discusses the recent surge of bird flu, also known as H5N1.


H5N1 has been in the news a lot lately, but what does it all mean? Engelthaler breaks down the science and talks about the effects this particular strain might have on humans. He also explains what constitutes an outbreak, how they fade over time, and why they start anew.


Bird flu, like other influenza viruses, changes and mutates over time, and the H5N1 strain is particularly concerning. Although it is currently a low risk for human outbreak (there are only 3 known cases in the U.S. thus far), its impact on other animals, especially poultry and cattle, caught the attention of the CDC, USDA and other groups that monitor such outbreaks.


Engelthaler notes that outbreaks are often first noticed by wildlife managers or at zoos, where bird die-offs prompt testing for influenza. Over the past two years, the current bird flu strain has spread significantly by wild birds across North America and the rest of the world.


The good news: In Arizona, only one mammal, an Abert’s tree squirrel, has tested positive for H5N1 to date. TGen researchers are working with local wildlife and health officials to monitor the situation.

This month, TGen Talks explores polygenic risk scores with Dr. David Duggan, an associate professor in the Quantitative Medicine and Systems Biology Division at TGen. A polygenic risk score is a number that indicates the combined effect of many genetic variants on a person's risk of developing a certain trait or disease. Each genetic variant adds a small amount to the overall risk. When these small effects are added together, they help predict the likelihood of developing the trait or disease.
    

Think of the human genome as a deck of cards, where each card represents a different genetic variant. The value of each card represents the risk contribution of that variant. For example, an Ace might represent a high-risk variant (4 points), while a 2 might represent a low-risk variant (1 point). Let's assume all contributions are positive for simplicity, although in reality, some variants might reduce risk.
    Imagine drawing 10 cards from the deck randomly. These 10 cards represent the genetic variants you inherited from your parents. Each card has a point value (risk contribution). Adding up the points of the 10 cards gives you your polygenic risk score. This score indicates your genetic predisposition to the trait or disease. You can then compare this score against population averages or thresholds to determine if you are at higher or lower risk for the trait or disease.
    

In this analogy, each card represents a genetic variant, and its point value represents its contribution to your overall genetic risk for a specific trait or disease. The polygenic risk score is the sum of these contributions, much like summing the values of drawn cards to get a total score. This information can help you and your doctor make informed health decisions, such as focusing on preventive measures. Dr. Duggan notes that lifestyle factors also play a significant role in disease risk, sometimes reducing genetic risk by up to 50%.


Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a genetics enthusiast, or just curious about the future of personalized medicine, this month’s TGen Talks is worth the listen.

Glioblastoma. It’s the most aggressive and least treatable type of brain cancer. Research into treatment has been slow, mostly because of the difficulty in accessing and treating a tumor that exists behind the blood-brain barrier.


A new two year fellowship into Glioblastoma Multiforme, or GBM, aims to better drug therapies to fight the cancer while developing better tests to determine which drugs are working on an individual patient's tumor and which are not. 


The fellowship, established by Shawn Lane and the Lori Lane Foundation together with Chris and Florence Spyrow, honors Lori Lane and Andrew Spyrow, whose lives were cut short by GBM.


This month on TGen Talks, Valerie De Luca, Ph.D., the inaugural Lori Lane/Andrew Spyrow Fellow at TGen discusses her work toward improving our understanding of molecular markers associated with tumor vulnerability to specific drugs.

In this episode of TGen Talks, we explore the overlooked yet vital world of skin cancer prevention and treatment. Our skin, the body's largest organ, often takes a back seat in discussions about cancer. Join us as we delve into this crucial topic with our guest, Dr. Aleksandar Sekulic. 

    Dr. Sekulic wears two hats: that of a clinician and a researcher. He shares how his interactions with patients inform his research, leading to groundbreaking advancements in skin cancer treatment. From pioneering clinical trials to developing targeted therapies and immunotherapies, Dr. Sekulic sheds light on the complexities of skin cancer and the importance of bridging the gap between medicine and research.

    Discover the different types of skin cancer, from melanoma to basal cell carcinoma, we’ll explore the various facets of this disease, its impact, and the latest advancements transforming the landscape of skin cancer care. Learn about the challenges posed by complex skin cancers, such as locally advanced and metastatic basal cell carcinoma, and the innovative treatments being developed to address them.

    Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of this often-underestimated aspect of healthcare as our host, Karie Dozer, works to uncover the latest insights and advancements in skin cancer research and treatment with Dr. Aleksandar Sekulic.

Cancer continues to be the second most common cause of death in the United States, with a total of nearly 2 million diagnoses every year.

  In this episode of TGen Talks, recorded in front of a live studio audience, we take a look at how genomic information is leading to better and earlier diagnoses and treatments for all kinds of cancer and how the collaboration between City of Hope Cancer Center Phoenix and TGen is proving to be a mighty weapon in the fight against cancer right here in Arizona.

  Joining the podcast this month are TGen President and Research Director, Dr. Jeffrey Trent, and City of Hope Cancer Center Phoenix Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Alan Bryce.

Alzheimer’s disease affects an estimated six million Americans. Diagnosing and treating the disease is challenging, and for families taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s, it’s even more difficult. Detecting and addressing the disease early on is crucial due to its progressive nature. However, Alzheimer’s symptoms can resemble those of other non-progressive conditions. 

In a recent Cells publication, a team of scientists describe using machine learning models to identify changes in RNA molecules of plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) that may hold potential for identifying Alzheimer’s disease (AD) at its earliest stages. This is one of the first studies to show changes in the RNA molecules of plasma EVs that precede neurodegeneration and provides evidence that some of the hidden pathology taking place early in the disease is reflected in plasma EVs, where it can be accessed in a minimally invasive manner and used for biomarker development. 

On this edition of TGen Talks, study co-author and TGen Neurogenomics Division staff scientist Joanna Palade, Ph.D., discusses their findings, and how what sound like magic or a fortune teller's promise, is the goal of the scientists working to develop a simple test; one that wouldn't simply indicate whether your symptoms might progress to an Alzheimer's diagnosis, but could also estimate the timeframe for when it might occur.

Paul J. Luna, president and CEO of Helios Education Foundation, sits down with TGen Talks to discuss the transformational power of education, in particular, how internships help prepare students for future success. Helios Education Foundation supports postsecondary attainment for all students, especially low-income and underrepresented communities, in Arizona and Florida.

Earlier this month, Helios committed funding to extend the TGen Bioscience Leadership Academy (TBLA) through 2028 (see related story). TBLA spun out of TGen’s Helios Scholars Program in 2018, with a focus on supporting high-school students interested in careers in biomedical research and medicine.

In addition to the Helios-funded programs at TGen, Luna discusses Helios’ focus on helping students achieve educational success beyond high school and the importance of opening the programs to all students, regardless of background. And how rewarding it is to help students find a track to success, whatever that success may be.

Students should allow themselves to dream big, he says. Be willing to apply, be willing to say, I want to be part of that unique cohort of talented students who are going to learn and evolve and build a network and maybe, one day, find the cure for Alzheimer’s or cancer.

More than three years after the beginning of the pandemic, humans still spread COVID to one another every day, though with less severe symptoms in most cases. Scientists also know that we can spread COVID to our pets as well, because of the close relationships many of us have with our four-legged friends. While dogs CAN get COVID from humans, they don’t seem to get very SICK. So, what’s the big deal if we spread the virus to our pets?  Can dogs spread it back to humans or to other animals? TGen scientists are looking to answer these and other questions in a new study called the 1000 Canine (1K9) SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance Study … and they’re looking for dogs to participate. Hayley Yaglom, MS, MPH, a genomic epidemiologist who leads TGen North’s One Health team and the 1K9 study joins TGen Talks to discuss the study and how the information gained will help tailor guidance for public health, veterinary professionals, and people interacting with dogs in various settings.