Protecting firefighters from occupational cancer risks, electric vehicle fires associated with higher cancer risks, connecting patients directly with pathologists to explain complex test results, using gene editing to battle mitochondrial diseases, and a profile of a brain cancer researcher are all in this month’s tip sheet from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
News — Firefighter Cancer Risk
Firefighters face a greater risk of developing and dying from cancer than from dying while on duty. That harsh reality led to the launch of in 2015. Since then, the initiative has partnered with fire departments across Florida to protect firefighters from occupational dangers through research, advocacy and best practices to reduce their cancer risk and improve overall health. This month, Sylvester celebrates the milestone anniversary while also hosting the .
Electric vehicles are becoming more popular and are a growing segment of the nation’s automobile fleet. But public health researchers with are discovering elevated cancer risks for firefighters and community members alike from electric vehicle fires. While all fires pose exposure risks, EV fires elevate the risk to firefighters, owners and the nearby community because they are powered by massive batteries containing high concentrations of heavy metals. Many of these metals are associated with increased cancer risk due to their potential to cause DNA damage, oxidative stress and genetic alterations.
Cancer Innovation
Traditionally, pathologists have been known as the “doctor’s doctor” because they work behind the scenes to provide other physicians with detailed reports and analysis into test results and sometimes disease processes to guide future care. Now, a Sylvester pilot program is bringing pathologists out from behind the microscope to interact directly with patients. Called “The Doctor’s Doctor IS the Patient’s Doctor,” the program connects patients with pathologists who can explain complex results in a way that fosters understanding and reduces stress.
Cancer Outreach
Sylvester’s Believe in You program inspires cancer survivors to train and prepare to complete a 5k walk, run or bike ride as part of the annual , the NFL’s largest fundraiser that has raised $75 million since 2010 to support cancer research at Sylvester. The program was launched because “so many cancer patients wanted to participate in the Dolphins Cancer Challenge but didn’t feel they could do it,” explained ., program director. “Everyone who comes feels empowered, and that’s the true magic of the program. The 2025 Dolphins Cancer Challenge occurs Feb. 22.
A new gene-editing study is taking aim at mitochondrial diseases, a group of genetic disorders caused by DNA mutations that affect how the body produces energy. Scientists recently corrected one such mutation in a preclinical model, bringing medicine one step closer to treating these disorders in people. That’s the long-term goal of study leader ., a neuroscience researcher at Sylvester. “I want to find an approach that can be used in patients,” he explained. He and collaborators published their in Science Translational Medicine.
Cancer Profile
Almost half of all malignant brain tumors in adults are glioblastomas, an aggressive brain cancer with a five-year survival rate of only 5% to 7%. Sadly, the most recently approved drug for this cancer was 20 years ago. ., assistant professor in molecular and cellular pharmacology at Sylvester, studies glioblastoma’s complex molecular mechanisms with the goal of bringing new treatments to patients.
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