Engaging underrepresented groups in outcomes research is a public health priority for reducing health and health care disparities; yet, engaging these groups is challenging. Failure to involve these underrepresented populations in research further exacerbates these disparities. This article presents the health and research priorities of diverse groups of underrepresented populations in biomedical research, their concerns for participating in research, and strategies to engage them in their healthcare and research studies. Eleven community listening sessions, ranging from 7 to 13 community members each (N = 117), representing racial/ethnic minority, economically disadvantaged (e.g., uninsured), and hearing impaired communities. We used an inductive, qualitative content analysis approach to analyze the data for emerging themes. We identified the following themes: Uncertainties of underrepresented populations regarding research participation; Ineffective communication about research opportunities and research findings; Research on primary care and prevention are priorities for underrepresented populations in research; and Research teams need training in cultural competence and humility. Underrepresented groups provided research priorities, concerns, and strategies to engage them in their healthcare and in research studies. Findings from this study could facilitate improvement of research participation among underrepresented groups, ultimately reducing health disparities and improving quality of life among groups commonly omitted from research recruitment and participation.

HER2 is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is overexpressed in 20% to 30% of human breast cancers and which affects patient prognosis and survival. Treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer with the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin) has improved patient survival, but the development of trastuzumab resistance is a major medical problem. Many of the known mechanisms of trastuzumab resistance cause changes in protein phosphorylation patterns, and therefore quantitative proteomics was used to examine phosphotyrosine signaling networks in trastuzumab-resistant cells. The model system used in this study was two pairs of trastuzumab-sensitive and -resistant breast cancer cell lines. Using stable isotope labeling, phosphotyrosine immunoprecipitations, and online TiO 2 chromatography utilizing a dual trap configuration, ϳ1700 proteins were quantified. Comparing quantified proteins between the two cell line pairs showed only a small number of common protein ratio changes, demonstrating heterogeneity in phosphotyrosine signaling networks across different trastuzumab-resistant cancers. Proteins showing significant increases in resistant versus sensitive cells were subjected to a focused siRNA screen to evaluate their functional relevance to trastuzumab resistance. The screen revealed proteins related to the Src kinase pathway, such as CDCP1/Trask, embryonal Fyn substrate, and Paxillin. We also identify several novel proteins that increased trastuzumab sensitivity in resistant cells when targeted by siRNAs, including FAM83A and MAPK1. These proteins may present targets for the development of clinical diagnostics or therapeutic strategies to guide the treatment of HER2؉ breast cancer patients who develop trastuzumab resistance. Molecular & Cellular Proteomics

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare medication adherence rates and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) health outcomes in a sample of underserved patients with suboptimally controlled T2DM (HbA1C>7%) who had received pharmacist-directed medication therapy management (MTM) to those who had not received MTM. Methods A retrospective review of 100 patient records was conducted. For the MTM group, a pharmacist engaged patients in patient-centered services to optimize therapeutic outcomes. Non-MTM patients received usual care. Outcomes were HbA1C, medication adherence, blood pressure, lipids and creatinine. Group comparisons on clinical outcomes were analyzed before and after matching MTM and non-MTM patients on demographic characteristics. Results Before matching, the MTM group had a higher rate of medication adherence than the non-MTM group. Hemoglobin A1C levels were lower in the MTM group compared to the non-MTM group. Similarly, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were lower in the MTM group compared to the non-MTM group. After matching, medication adherence rate remained higher in the MTM group than the non-MTM group. Similarly, HbA1C levels remained lower in the MTM group than the non-MTM group. Conclusions There is a paucity of research focused on behavioral interventions for improving health outcomes in underserved communities. Our results advance the existing literature by demonstrating a positive association between pharmacist-directed MTM, medication adherence, and glycemic control in a sample of underserved patients with suboptimally controlled T2DM. A prospective pharmacy intervention and examination of long-term effects of MTM on medication adherence and T2DM health outcomes in this population is warranted.