VA Research Wrap Up: New findings on TBI, COPD and skin cancer

VA’s Office of Research and Development recently published three News Briefs highlighting TBI resiliency, a COPD rehab program and skin cancer treatment.

Natural antibody may reduce PTSD, depression after TBI

VA San Diego researchers learned higher levels of naturally occurring antibodies may protect against the depression and PTSD linked to traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

Researchers measured the levels of anti-NMDAR1 autoantibodies in the blood of more than 1,000 active duty Service members before deployment. In Service members who sustained a TBI, those with the highest concentrations of these antibodies had 22% lower scores on a scale of PTSD symptoms and 25% lower scores on a scale of depression symptoms post-deployment.

Those with high antibody levels also had lower psychotropic medication use. The findings suggest this naturally occurring immune protein may protect the brain against the effects of TBI, and further study could help improve depression and PTSD risk assessment and prevention.

View the full study from “Molecular Psychiatry.”

Web-based walking program improves COPD rehab

VA Boston researchers developed a web-based physical activity promotion program for Veterans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The intervention included individualized step-count goals tracked by a wearable pedometer, iterative feedback, educational content, and an online community forum.

Over the course of 12 weeks, Veterans using the program increased their average daily step count by 1,410 more steps than Veterans in the control group. The program led to many Veterans moving from underactive to active intensity physical activity levels. The results show how a web-based community walking program using wearable technology can meaningfully increase physical activity and improve COPD rehabilitation. 

View the full study from the “International Journal of COPD.”

Combined treatment may be more effective against skin cancer

Researchers from the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago showed combining the cancer medication Pembrolizumab with the enzyme Arylsulfatase B could improve treatment response in melanoma. Using a mouse model, the researchers found the combined treatment increased programmed death of cancer cells and lowered tumor invasiveness.

The medication and enzyme work on different aspects of tumors, one enhancing immune cell response and the other affecting molecular signaling within cancer cells. The two substances appear to work synergistically to inhibit the progression of melanoma and could improve treatment outcomes when used together.

View the full study from “Acta Biomaterialia.”

For more Office of Research and Development updates, visit ORD online or go to https://www.research.va.gov/news_briefs/.