Onco-cardiology Research
Overview
The Department of Cardiology at MD Anderson was established in September 2000, as the first “Onco-cardiology” unit in the world to provide comprehensive cardiac care to patients with cancer, focusing on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer therapy-induced cardiotoxicity. The vision of the Department of Cardiology is to be the model of Onco-cardiology (or Cardio-oncology) units throughout the world.
Approximately 75% of cancer survivors have some form of chronic health problem. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population, particularly after a recurrent or second malignancy. The risk of CVD in cancer survivors is eight times higher than that of the general population. The relative risks of coronary artery disease and heart failure in cancer survivors are 10 times and 15 times higher, respectively, than their siblings without cancer. Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation, can lead to both short- and long-term cardiovascular complications. Evidence of subclinical cardiac and vascular damage was observed in more than 50% of survivors 5 to 10 years after chemotherapy. Although it has been well-recognized clinically, it is not understood how various forms of cancer therapy negatively affect cardiac as well as vascular functions. Therefore, our mission is to reassess the effect of cancer and chemotherapy treatment on endothelial cells under physiological and pathological mechano-stresses and to determine those effects on EC dysfunction, thromboembolism, hypertension, and delayed appearance of cardiovascular complications such as atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. These studies will be especially critical to better understand cardiovascular disease in cancer survivors, which is a major cancer-related morbidity.
Opportunity
NIH-funded postdoctoral fellowship is available in the lab of Jun-ichi Abe, M.D., Ph.D., in the Department of Cardiology to investigate molecular signaling underlying vascular inflammation using mouse transgenic, knock-out and knock-in models.
Qualifications
Eligibility Requirements:
- M.D., Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. degree
- Fluent in verbal and written English
- Dedication to pursue vascular and/or cardiac molecular research
- If applicant has a visa, it must be valid for the entire program period
Applications should include:
- A synopsis including background and research interests in vascular and/or cardiac molecular research. Essay should be single-spaced and in 12 point font.
- Updated curriculum vitae
- Three letters of reference on letterhead and signed, either mailed in sealed envelope to the address below or sent by email to jabe@mdanderson.org.
Applications should be submitted via email to:
Jun-ichi Abe, M.D., Ph.D.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
2121 W. Holcombe Blvd., Unit 1101
Houston, TX 77030
713-745-2803
Email: jabe@mdanderson.org
Overview: The Department of Cardiology at MD Anderson Cancer Center was established in September, 2000, as the first “Onco-cardiology” unit in the world to provide comprehensive cardiac care to patients with cancer, focusing on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer therapy-induced cardiotoxicity. The vision of the Department of Cardiology is to be the model of Onco-cardiology (or Cardio-oncology) units throughout the world.
Approximately 75% of cancer survivors have some form of chronic health problem. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population, particularly after a recurrent or second malignancy. The risk of CVD in cancer survivors is eight times higher than that of the general population. The relative risks of coronary artery disease and heart failure in cancer survivors are 10 times and 15 times higher, respectively, than their siblings without cancer. Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation, can lead to both short- and long-term cardiovascular complications. Evidence of subclinical cardiac and vascular damage was observed in more than 50% of survivors 5 to 10 years after chemotherapy. Although it has been well-recognized clinically, it is not understood how various forms of cancer therapy negatively affect cardiac as well as vascular functions. Therefore, our mission is to reassess the effect of cancer and chemotherapy treatment on endothelial cells under physiological and pathological mechano-stresses and to determine those effects on EC dysfunction, thromboembolism, hypertension, and delayed appearance of cardiovascular complications such as atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. These studies will be especially critical to better understand cardiovascular disease in cancer survivors which is a major cancer-related morbidity.
Opportunity: NIH-funded postdoctoral fellowship is available in Dr. Jun-ichi Abe’s laboratory in the Department of Cardiology to investigate molecular signaling underlying vascular inflammation using mouse transgenic, knock-out, and knock-in models.
Qualification: Candidates should possess MD, PhD or MD/PhD degrees, be fluent in verbal and written English, and have demonstrated interest in vascular and/or cardiac molecular research.
To be considered for this position, please forward statement of research statement, curriculum vitae, and three letters of reference to:
Jun-ich Abe, M.D., Ph.D.
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
2121 W. Holcombe Blvd., Unit 1101
Houston, TX 77030
Email: jabe@mdanderson.org
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