Dr. Ratnaprabha Maji
Dr. Ratnaprabha Maji has been selected for the 2023 Sun Pharma Science Foundation Clinical Research Fellowships, for her research project: Impact of inflammasome on hypopigmentation in patients with Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL).
Post kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis PKDL is a neglected, tropical skin disease resulting as a complication of apparently cured cases of kala-azar, the causative species being the protozoan parasite, Leishmania donovani.
The study involves establishing the distribution of key immune cells i.e. CD4, CD8, CD20 at the lesional sites which will be evaluated by immunohistochemistry.
Inflammasome (namely Caspase 1, IL-1β, NLRP3, NLRP1, Gasdermin D) which plays an integral role will be studied by using high-resolution immunohistochemistry (IHC).
Correlation of the histopathological and functional profiles of T-cells in relation to inflammasome activation and pigmentary loss will be studied.
The study of melanogenesis will be done by examining the status of melanocyte-specific markers namely (a) tyrosinase (TYR) (b) microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and (c) tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TYRP1).
Lastly, the status of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-2, TNF-α and IL-1β will be measured using a multiplex detection kit as per the manufacturer's protocol.
Dr. Anuj Kumar S
Dr. Anuj Kumar has been selected as winner of 2024 Sun Pharma Science Foundation Clinical Research Fellowships, for his research project.
Study Title: A Phase III Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Non-Inferiority of Adjuvant RT vs CTRT in Borderline Resectable Oral Cancers Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Surgery
This study aims to evaluate whether adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) alone is non-inferior to adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CTRT) in borderline resectable oral cancer patients who have undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and surgery. While CTRT is the current standard for high-risk pathological features, its benefit in intermediate-risk patients remains unclear. The trial seeks to establish if RT alone can achieve similar disease-free survival (DFS) while reducing toxicity and improving quality of life (QoL).
The trial will enroll 402 patients (1:1 Randomization), with a primary endpoint of 3-year DFS and secondary endpoints including overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), acute and late toxicity, and QoL outcomes.
If successful, this study could redefine adjuvant treatment strategies, providing a less toxic yet effective alternative for intermediate-risk oral cancer patients.
Dr. Karthikeyan P
Dr. Karthikeyan P has been selected as winner of 2024 Sun Pharma Science Foundation Clinical Research Fellowships, for his research project titled “Comprehensive Immune Signature Profiling in AML: Cross-Dataset Analysis and Validation”
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a hematologic malignancy with poor prognosis and high relapse rates, where the immune microenvironment is crucial. This study aims to profile immune signatures in AML using multi-cohort datasets and validate findings in Indian paediatric and adult AML samples. Objectives include analysing immune signatures from public datasets, validating them using RNA-seq data from 30 adult and 30 paediatric AML samples, and examining correlations with survival and treatment response. We will also follow up on de novo AML patients to capture immune signatures linked to remission, relapse, and refractory phases. The research will identify novel biomarkers for immunotherapy and prognostic markers.
Dr. Babita
Dr. Babita has been has been selected as winner of 2024 Sun Pharma Science Foundation Clinical Research Fellowships, for her research project.
A prospective study to evaluate the role of HPV-ctDNA as a predictive and prognostic marker in locally advanced cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women in India, with a five-year survival rate of just 55%. HPV cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA) may serve as a valuable predictive biomarker.
Research Question: Can HPVctDNA predict treatment response and recurrence in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC)?
Process: Blood samples from LACC patients in the ongoing CERCO (Consolidation chemotherapy in LACC) trial will be collected at baseline and 6 months to assess HPVctDNA levels.
Primary Objective: To evaluate the correlation of HPVctDNA with event-free survival.
Secondary Objectives:
1. Correlate ctDNA changes with recurrence in cervical cancer.
2. Correlation of 6-month HPV-ctDNA with PET-CT for relapse prediction.
Exploratory Objectives:
1. PFS and OS: HPV ctDNA positive—chemo vs. observation.
2. PFS and OS: HPV ctDNA negative—chemo vs. observation.
Future Direction:
This study will assess if therapy escalation improves outcomes in poor-prognosis patients, potentially leading to escalation and de-escalation trials for LACC that balances survival and toxicity.