Research at PCOM South Georgia focuses on developing more effective ways to prevent and treat disease. The College encourages partnerships between students, faculty, healthcare providers and community members to improve patient outcomes.
Biomedical sciences student Teighlor Livingston (MS/BS ‘22) shares why she is interested in research and explains her work on using vaporization to eliminate the toxicity of paclitaxel, a drug used in lung cancer treatment.
My research involves the development of novel bioactive cancer drugs utilizing the natural chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel. The drug, marketed under the trade name Taxol, utilizes a drug delivery vehicle (Cremophor EL) that is necessary for clinical use but also very toxic for patients. I have been working to develop paclitaxel drug formulations void of Cremophor EL that utilize cellular nutrients to accelerate the cancer’s metabolic process and drive the drug into the tumor cells. I am also working on a novel inhalation method to target lung cancer directly and avoid the side effects associated with systemic therapies. The drugs are designed specifically with this in mind by generation of nanoparticles that can penetrate deep within the lungs.
I was always interested in doing research and began doing so during my undergraduate education. With my goal of becoming a physician in mind, I believed being involved in research would make me a more well-rounded individual through the development of skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking. With my project, I have been fortunate to be able to see both sides of medicine: the development aspect as well as the treatment.
I have been involved with this research at Valdosta State University since 2019. Since working on this project, I have developed two novel paclitaxel complexes. These drugs have gone through preclinical testing with the National Cancer Institute and have shown comparable results to Taxol. I have been able to present my research at a research conference and intend on presenting at additional conferences throughout 2022. I have also been involved in the National Science Foundation Innovation-Corps Program that has allowed researchers to explore the commercial potential of their product through speaking with experts in the field. I completed the regional level program, which involved a total of 20 interviews with experts in the cancer field. I have recently applied to the national level program to further explore the value of the innovation.
What are your responsibilities in this research project?My responsibilities have included lab development and analytical testing of the paclitaxel compounds, as well as testing involving a medical-grade vaporizer to ensure proper vaporization of the drug formulations. I am the lead student involved in this research and frequently demonstrate these processes to undergraduate students who are interested in the project.
As society progresses, the yearly number of cancer cases continues to rise. Cancers, especially of the lung, can have devastating outcomes on patients and their families. My research helps to bring awareness to the impact of lung cancer, as well as encourage researchers to explore the improvement of other available drugs to create a better experience for patients.
Lung cancer has an 80% mortality rate and causes more deaths than any other cancer type. The main purpose of my research is to make the experience of cancer treatment better for patients by improving their therapy outcomes. Although the drug formulation itself eliminates the toxicity associated with Cremophor EL, the drug is also utilized through inhalation—targeting the cancer site directly and avoiding systemic effects of the drug. The direct application of the drug to the tumor site allows for the usage of lower doses, further decreasing the incidence of side effects.
In 2019, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a premier osteopathic medical school with a storied 125-year history, extended its commitment to the Southeast by establishing PCOM South Georgia. An additional teaching location in Moultrie, Georgia, PCOM South Georgia offers both a full, four-year medical program leading to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree and a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences. PCOM is a private, not-for-profit institution that trains professionals in the health and behavioral sciences fields. Joining PCOM Georgia in Suwanee in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state, PCOM South Georgia focuses on educating physicians for the region. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 229-668-3110.
Cindy B. Montgomery
Public Relations and Social Media Manager
Email: cindymo@pcom.edu
Office: 229-668-3198 | Cell: 229-873-2003
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