PHYSICIAN RIDER PROFILE: CASEY COSGROVE, MD
Gynecologic oncologist relished return to riding for Pelotonia 2021
Casey Cosgrove, MD, a gynecologic oncologist at the OSUCCC – James, admits that Pelotonia rides have given him goosebumps.
“I get goosebumps when I see so many people riding and so many supporters along the road,” says Cosgrove, who also is a researcher in the OSUCCC – James Translational Therapeutics Program. “And when I see a sign that says ‘Thank you for saving my life’ or a family member’s life, it’s the ultimate reminder of why we do what we do. “Being a cancer doctor and researcher is hard,” he adds. “Our job is very emotional, and we deal with so many highs and lows with our patients. I often spend a lot of time reflecting on the tremendous strength of my patients and their families battling cancer.
It helps him to know that he has the backing of both a renowned cancer program and a devoted community. “At the OSUCCC – James we have an exceptional team of individuals providing the highest quality of research and patient care,” Cosgrove says. “No matter what I need, I have the resources available to help me take care of my patients the way they need and deserve to be treated. I also have access to other surgeons and oncologists, to the most advanced clinical trials and to the most up-to-date surgical instruments and facilities. “And we have amazingly talented nurses, social workers, case managers and others who provide exceptional care,” he continues. “Moreover, I love having trainees assisting in research and patient care, and the excitement they bring to the team. Taking care of patients takes a large team; my patients often comment on many individuals who made their experience better.” Cosgrove, who was born in The Bahamas and grew up in Palm Beach, Florida, also appreciates the Pelotonia community, and he’s happy that this year’s Ride Weekend returned to an inperson format.
“The Pelotonia Ride for me is about the hope for the future of cancer patients and a celebration of how far cancer research has taken us.” This year he rode 100 miles with the Team Buckeye/OBGYNGYNONC Peloton with a goal of raising $2,000. It was his sixth year of participation and fourth as a Rider. Last year he rode several miles for his personalized activities in the My Pelotonia format implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. “In 2020 I wanted to create more awareness of gynecologic cancers for my ride,” Cosgrove says. “I rode a 60-mile ride for the over 60,000 cases of endometrial (uterine) cancer in the United States each year, a 20-mile ride for the over 20,000 cases of ovarian cancer, a 12-mile ride for the over 10,000 cases of cervical cancer, and five-mile rides for vulvar and vaginal cancers. It was my way of honoring the amazing women battling these cancers.” Read the extended profile of Dr. Cosgrove on the OSUCCC – James website at cancer.osu.edu
CANCER RESEARCHER PROFILE: ZOBEIDA CRUZ-MONSERRATE, PhD
Scientist prizes Pelotonia support for her pancreatic cancer research
Zobeida Cruz-Monserrate, PhD, admits she’s not a cyclist and that her athletic years are part of her college memories, but she’s always willing to help Pelotonia raise money for cancer research—a cause that benefits her lifework of studying a deadly malignancy.
An associate professor with tenure in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at The Ohio State University, Cruz-Monserrate focuses her research on pancreatic diseases, in particular pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a cancer with dismal long-term survival rates and limited advances in treatment. The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that the overall fiveyear survival rate is about 10% for pancreatic cancer, a disease that accounts for only 3% of cancer cases in the United States but for 7% of cancer deaths. The ACS projects that more than 60,000 cases will be diagnosed in 2021 and that more than 48,000 people will die of it this year.
“My long-term goals are to develop strategies for detecting, preventing and treating PDAC and pancreatitis by uncovering biological mechanisms related to the initiation of these diseases.” After earning a bachelor’s degree in coastal marine biology, she moved to Maryland in 2000 to study marine-derived antimitotic compounds as therapeutic agents against cancer at the National Cancer Institute. That sparked an interest in further cancer studies and motivated her to pursue a PhD in biomedical sciences at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She then completed postdoctoral studies at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and was an instructor there for two years before coming to Ohio State in 2015. The deadliness of PDAC is one reason Cruz-Monserrate studies this disease, which usually isn’t detected until symptoms appear at later stages, making it difficult to treat. “Only around 20% of cases can undergo surgical resection of the pancreas, which is the only curative method,” she says.
Although the five-year survival rate is close to 10%, research has boosted that rate from 6% since 2000; that slight improvement motivates Cruz-Monserrate to keep searching for better ways to prevent, detect and treat it. Her laboratory has received more than $350,000 in Pelotonia money that has funded many of her research trainees and an Idea Grant that she and a team of faculty scientists received in 2020 to study adipose tissue (body fat) contributions to pancreatic cancer. Obesity is a risk factor for this disease. The Idea Grant is helping this team determine why adipose tissue affects pancreatic tumor components that can promote cancer development and progression, and to develop strategies to identify obese individuals at risk of developing PDAC. “Our study results could help guide preventive, early-detection and treatment approaches to obesity-associated pancreatic cancer,” Cruz-Monserrate explains, adding that data from the study will enable the team to apply for an NCI grant. Read the extended profile of Dr. Cruz-Monserrate on the OSUCCC – James website at cancer.osu.edu.
CANCER SURVIVOR PROFILE: KEENA RICH
Upbeat attitude, caring spirit give cancer survivor hope for the future
Cancer has come calling on Keena Rich three times over the past 32 years, and all three times—with the help of caregivers, family and friends—she has beaten it back into the bushes.
It first appeared when she was 12 and had symptoms of what she thought was a bladder infection. After exploratory surgery revealed a grapefruit-sized malignancy on her right ovary, she had the tumor, ovary and adjacent lymph nodes removed at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where she also had adjuvant chemotherapy. The cancer has been in remission over 30 years. At age 21, when Rich was a cheerleader at Ohio State, a neck X-ray following an accident at practice revealed a tumor on her thyroid gland. Her treatment over four years at the OSUCCC – James included surgical removal of her thyroid and radioactive iodine treatments. That cancer has been in remission for nearly 20 years.
Just over a year ago, when she was 43, Rich was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and underwent surgery at the OSUCCC – James for removal of the mass and to have a neck dissection and skin graft. She has regular follow-ups for that cancer, which also has not returned. “I was very fortunate to catch that cancer early, which prevented me from needing radiation or chemo,” says Rich, a native of Amanda, Ohio, who has a bachelor’s degree in family financial management from Ohio State and serves as the Education Management Information System (EMIS) & Enrollment coordinator for Amanda-Clearcreek Local Schools.
“None of my cancers were recurrences or related to one another,” Rich says. “I have no risk factors either, as I am a healthy, fit individual who takes care of myself. It’s just part of my journey.” Her journey is fueled by optimism, spirituality, gratitude and a love of helping others, as evidenced by her 13 years as a volunteer for the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer, her collaboration with her friend Julie (who lost her husband to cancer) in hosting an annual Aces Against Cancer fundraiser and her decision this year to be a first-time Rider in Pelotonia. She committed to riding 20 miles in the Team Buckeye/Team Brutus Peloton and to raising $5,000. “I’ve always been interested in getting involved with Pelotonia, but I’ve never been much of a cyclist,” Rich says. “Although I’m fit and athletic, I haven’t spent a lot of time cycling.” “But my brother rode in Pelotonia for the first time a few years ago, after losing his young wife to breast cancer,” she explains. “He and his current fiancé both lost their young spouses to cancer and are now avid supporters of Pelotonia. This year, my close friend and fellow cancer survivor, Jeremy Hitchens (who was featured in the 2019 Pelotonia edition of Frontiers), is the captain for Team Brutus/Team Buckeye, so it seemed like the perfect time to give it a go!” Read the extended profile of Keena Rich on the OSUCCC – James website at cancer.osu.edu.