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What Is Translational Research?

2/24/2017

 
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Sherif El-Refai holds a PharmD and an MBA and is currently pursuing a PhD in clinical and experimental therapeutics at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. There, Sherif El-Refai investigates lung cancer within a translational research framework.

Translational research is often described as the process of moving knowledge from the “bench,” which refers to basic scientific discovery, to the “bedside,” which refers to the application of research. The National Institutes of Health has defined two types of translational research:

Type 1 is defined as taking research that has been performed on animals or cells and advancing it to involve humans subjects, either through clinical trials or further research. Type 1 is also sometimes defined as incorporating research findings into clinical settings. In this framework, clinicians not only receive new tools from researchers but also make observations about their patients that help guide additional research.

With the understanding that the application of research sometimes fails to make its way outside of advanced academic medical centers, type 2 describes an effort to incorporate research into everyday medical practice. Referred to by some as moving knowledge from the bedside to the community, type 2 involves educating practitioners, determining the effectiveness of research-derived treatments, and analyzing the economic impacts of new methods.

Lung Cancer Screening at Markey Cancer Center

2/13/2017

 
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In pursuit of a PhD in clinical and experimental therapeutics at the University of Kentucky (UK), Sherif El-Refai also serves as an oncology pharmacist at UK’s Markey Cancer Center. Sherif El-Refai’s work at the university includes research into lung cancer. 

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Every year, it kills more people than breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer combined. Kentucky has the highest rate of lung cancer in the entire country. 

With the goal of saving lives, Markey Cancer Center maintains a Lung Cancer Screening Program. Lung cancer screening is highly recommended for individuals with a high risk of lung cancer. These include people aged 55-80, people who smoke or have quit smoking, and people who have been smoking a pack or more every day for the past 15-30 years.

The screening involves capturing images of the chest cavity with a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan. These images are then examined by a radiologist to identify potential cancers. The screenings are covered by a variety of medical insurance plans. 

While screening does not prevent lung cancer, early detection does increase a patient’s options and also improves his/her likelihood of survival. Experts note the best way to prevent lung cancer is to quit smoking. With this in mind, the Lung Cancer Screening Program offers participants access to a smoking cessation specialist.

Common Types of Cancer - Lung Disease

2/2/2017

 
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A pharmacist and doctoral student, Sherif El-Refai studies clinical and experimental therapeutics while pursuing his PhD in pharmaceutical science at the University of Kentucky. Sherif El-Refai’s scholarly interests include lung cancer research, which he conducts at the UK College of Pharmacy Black Lab.

Among all cancers, lung cancer results in the most deaths each year. In fact, mortality from the disease exceeds the mortality of colon, breast, and other types of common cancers combined. The cancer originates in lung cells that mutate and begin to behave abnormally by excessively replicating. These cells form masses called tumors that eventually disperse cancer cells to other parts of the body. 

The primary risk factor for lung cancer is cigarette smoking. Smoking damages lung cells over time, and although the body attempts to repair the damage, it sometimes results in mutations that lead to cancer. People can reduce their risk of developing cancer by never smoking or quitting.

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    Sherif El-Refai, who possesses a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, has held a number of research and volunteer positions throughout the course of his academic career.

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