Christopher Matthew Lopez

All Publications

• Understanding Barriers and Facilitators to High-Quality Cancer Care Among Veterans With Lung Cancer: A Qualitative Study. JCO oncology practice Lopez, C., Murillo, A., Das, M., Patel, M. I. 2023: OP2300228

  Abstract

  Veteran populations have higher lung cancer incidence and worse overall survival compared with non-Veteran populations. Although recent clinical advancements have reduced lung cancer death rates, these advances are not routinely received among Veteran populations because of multilevel factors, including Veterans' complex comorbidities, limited health literacy, and other economic and social disadvantages. This study aimed to assess Veterans' perspectives regarding their lung cancer care with a specific focus on identifying modifiable barriers to evidence-based care delivery.We conducted 1:1 semistructured interviews with 24 Veterans diagnosed with lung cancer at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using the constant comparative method of qualitative analysis.Four themes emerged. These included (1) social and economic disadvantages can prevent routine delivery of evidence-based cancer care; (2) fragmented care contributes to worsening patient mental and emotional well-being; (3) lack of health system interventions to address limited health literacy inhibits patient engagement in shared decision making regarding diagnosis, genomic and molecular testing, targeted and other treatments, and end-of-life care; and (4) deep appreciation for care and VA trustworthiness facilitates adherence to cancer care recommendations.This study revealed critical gaps in lung cancer care delivery and the role of institution-engendered trust in overcoming barriers in the VA system. Targeted solutions should address the identified barriers to routine, evidence-based lung cancer care delivery among Veterans.

  View details for DOI 10.1200/OP.23.00228

  View details for PubMedID 37774255

• Polycomb Ezh1 maintains murine muscle stem cell quiescence through non-canonical regulation of Notch signaling. Developmental cell Feng, X., Wang, A. H., Juan, A. H., Ko, K. D., Jiang, K., Riparini, G., Ciuffoli, V., Kaba, A., Lopez, C., Naz, F., Jarnik, M., Aliberti, E., Hu, S., Segalés, J., Khateb, M., Acevedo-Luna, N., Randazzo, D., Cheung, T. H., Muñoz-Cánoves, P., Dell'Orso, S., Sartorelli, V. 2023; 58 (12): 1052-1070.e10

  Abstract

  Organismal homeostasis and regeneration are predicated on committed stem cells that can reside for long periods in a mitotically dormant but reversible cell-cycle arrest state defined as quiescence. Premature escape from quiescence is detrimental, as it results in stem cell depletion, with consequent defective tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Here, we report that Polycomb Ezh1 confers quiescence to murine muscle stem cells (MuSCs) through a non-canonical function. In the absence of Ezh1, MuSCs spontaneously exit quiescence. Following repeated injuries, the MuSC pool is progressively depleted, resulting in failure to sustain proper muscle regeneration. Rather than regulating repressive histone H3K27 methylation, Ezh1 maintains gene expression of the Notch signaling pathway in MuSCs. Selective genetic reconstitution of the Notch signaling corrects stem cell number and re-establishes quiescence of Ezh1-/- MuSCs.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.04.005

  View details for PubMedID 37105173

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10330238

• Understanding the barriers and experiences of veterans with lung cancer Lopez, C., Murillo, A., Das, M., Patel, M. I. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2022: 160

  View details for Web of Science ID 000891944700160