About

Janet Chin, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine at The University of Chicago. Her clinical interests include gastrointestinal cancers, lung cancer, medical oncology, and sarcomas. She is involved in research related to clinical trials, such as the DARES trial, which investigates the combination of Durvalumab and ablative radiation in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. Her research also encompasses the transcriptional activation of the gamma-globin gene, with studies involving decitabine treatment in baboons and cultured erythroid progenitor cells. Dr. Chin's work contributes to advancing understanding and treatment of various cancers through both clinical and laboratory research.

Research topics

• Internal medicine
• Medicine
• Nursing
• General surgery
• Intensive care medicine
• Medical physics
• Oncology
• Chemistry
• Surgery
• Psychology
• Biology
• Radiology
• Family medicine

Selected publications

• Patient-reported outcomes in physical, cognitive, and sexual health in early-onset gastrointestinal cancers (EOGIC).

  Journal of Clinical Oncology · 2025-01-27 · 1 citations

  article

  72 Background: Incidence of early-onset (ages 18-49) gastrointestinal cancers is alarmingly increasing. To assess unmet needs in health-related quality of life (HRQoL), we conducted this pilot study using PRO measures in patients with EOGIC. Methods: Patients ages 18-49 with any GI cancer seen at our center during a clinic visit were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Validated PRO tools PROMIS 29+2, GP5 from FACT-G, AYA Sexual Health PRO Battery and Adult Neuro-QOL Cognitive Function short form were administered. Participants’ PROMIS 29+2 responses were scored to generate a T score, and two-tailed t-tests were used to compare T scores with the average score from a large general US population. The electronic medical record was reviewed to collect demographic, diagnosis and treatment information. Results: 39 (85% response rate) patients were enrolled from 03-08/24. Table 1 describes demographics, diagnoses, and treatment. In the PROMIS 29+2, EOGIC patients reported significantly lower physical function and higher anxiety, depression, fatigue and pain interference compared to the general US population: t-score (T-test p-value) 40.4 (p 0.0003), 57.7 (p 0.005), 55.7 (p 0.017), 55.1 (p 0.033) and 58.5 (p 0.0001), respectively. 56% reported being at least somewhat “bothered by side effects of treatment,” and this measure has a known correlation with clinician reported adverse events. Regarding sexual health (SH) in prior 30 days, 79% of participants felt less whole or “damaged” due to their disease, 64% were sexually active, 56% had some distress due to change in SH, and 50% were worried about their romantic relationship(s). Patients identified discussing safe sex with low counts, body image, contraception and addressing sexual problems as areas of unmet need during their care. They reported not receiving counseling from their care teams: only 15% discussed safe sex with low counts, 28% contraception, 13% STI prevention, and 18% discussed effect of cancer on body image. No significant change in cognitive functioning over the preceding 7 days was reported in this study. Conclusions: PROs are an important tool in clinical and survivorship care of young patients with GI cancers. We discovered that decreased physical function, increased anxiety, depression, fatigue and pain significantly effect HRQoL patients with EOGIC. We also found high unmet need to address sexual health in patients with EOGIC. Our ongoing work aims to better understand and address these needs for our patients. Demographic, diagnostic, and therapeutic characteristics of participants. Age At study participation 24-49 median 43 Gender Female 26 66.7% Primary cancer Colorectal 19 48.7% Pancreatic 5 12.8% Biliary tract cancers 5 12.8% Esophageal/Gastric 3 7.7% Other (including anal, NET, GIST, appendiceal) 7 17.9% Stage Metastatic 22 56.4% Treatment On any active treatment 24 61.5% On chemotherapy 20 51.2%

  PublisherDOI

• Dares: A Phase II Trial of Durvalumab and Ablative Radiation in Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

  2024 · 1 citations

  • Medicine
  • Oncology
  • Radiology
  PublisherDOI

• Association between activating <i>GNAS</i> mutations and outcomes with chemotherapy in metastatic appendiceal adenocarcinoma.

  Journal of Clinical Oncology · 2024-06-01 · 1 citations

  article

  4179 Background: Data regarding predictive biomarkers in Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma (AA) is scarce. GNAS mutations, frequent in mucinous AA, have been linked with poor objective response (OR) to chemotherapy. We hypothesize that activating GNAS mutations are associated with differential outcomes for metastatic AA treated with chemotherapy. Methods: We reviewed the records of AA patients (pts) seen between 2013 and 2023. Pts who received 5-Flurouracil/Capecitabine (5-FU/Cape) based chemotherapy for at least 3 months (m) in the metastatic/recurrent setting (no chemotherapy for localized AA in prior 12 m) and had data available for GNAS mutations were included. The primary outcome was disease event-free survival (dEFS): the time from first dose of 5-FU/Cape given for metastatic/recurrent AA to the earliest disease event: death, radiographic recurrence in pts with complete cytoreduction (CC0), or clinical/radiographic progression. The secondary outcome was overall survival (OS). Associations between GNAS status, clinicopathologic features, and study outcomes were assessed using univariable and multivariable (for variables with p values &lt; 0.2) Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Results: 48 pts were eligible. GNAS activating mutations (excluding variants of uncertain significance) were seen in 18/48 (37.5%), all at the R201 hotspot ( R201H = 15, R201C= 3). Clinicopathologic characteristics between activating GNAS mutated ( GNAS mt ) and GNAS wild-type ( GNAS wt ) groups are compared in Table 1. Over a median follow-up of 29.83 m, GNAS mt pts had worse dEFS (adjusted HR [aHR], 5.62; 95% CI, 1.65 – 19.12; p = 0.006), after adjusting for CC0 reduction, histology (mucinous vs. non-mucinous), and synchronous metastases (vs. metachronous). CC0 reduction (aHR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.21 – 0.88; p = 0.02) and synchronous metastases (aHR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.12 – 0.74; p = 0.009) were also associated with improved dEFS. There was no significant difference in OS between GNAS mt vs. GNAS wt pts (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.39 – 1.73; p = 0.61). Conclusions: GNAS mutated metastatic AAs show worse disease event free survival with chemotherapy which aligns with historic OR data. A previously reported survival benefit of GNAS mutations in AA, likely due to favorable disease at baseline (see table), is negated in the setting of metastatic disease treated with chemotherapy. Evaluating GNAS status as a predictive biomarker for AA is warranted. [Table: see text]

  PublisherDOI

• DARES: A Phase II Trial of Durvalumab and Ablative Radiation in Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

  Clinical Lung Cancer · 2024-08-13 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Early-onset appendiceal adenocarcinoma (EOAA): 10-year experience from a single center.

  Journal of Clinical Oncology · 2024-06-01

  article

  4178 Background: The incidence of early-onset (age &lt;50) gastrointestinal cancers, including early onset Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma (EOAA) is on the rise, however reported data on etiology, treatment, and outcomes is scarce. Here we present outcomes for EOAA patients treated at a single high-volume center. Methods: Records of patients (pts) with EOAA were reviewed. Clinicopathological and genomic data were abstracted. Pts aged 18 - 49 years at diagnosis with Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma (AA) seen at UCMC between 2013 - 2023 were included. The primary outcome of Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using univariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Results: 116/492 (23.6%) appendix cancer pts seen at UCMC had early-onset disease. 45 pts met eligibility (Table). 10/20 (50%) pts with localized disease had recurrence after hemicolectomy (median recurrence free survival = 41.6 months; 95% CI, 34.3 – NR; follow-up = 46.42 months). 22/44 (50%) pts had mucinous AA, 21 (47.7%) goblet cell AA, and 1 (2.33%) had poorly differentiated AA. In 35 pts with metastatic/recurrent disease, mOS was 35.93 months (95% CI, 28.4 – NR). Lymphovascular (LVI) or perineural invasion (PNI) (HR, 6.41; 95% CI, 2.10 – 19.59, p = 0.001), lymph nodes metastasis (HR, 13.11; 95% CI, 3.53 – 48.68; p &lt; 0.001), and grade 3 disease (vs. grade 1; HR, 5.28; 95% CI, 1.43 – 19.51, p = 0.01) were prognostic for worse OS in univariable analysis. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS), irrespective of completeness, was associated with improved OS (HR = 0.21; 95% CI, 0.09 – 0.53; p &lt; 0.001). Next Generation Sequencing results were available in 20 cases: KRAS (n = 10, 50%), TP53(n = 7, 35%), GNAS (n = 6, 30%), SMAD4 (n = 4, 20%), and MYC (n = 3, 15%) were frequently altered. Alterations with potential therapeutic targets were seen in 12/20 (60%) cases. 10 pts had germline testing with 2 (20%) pathogenic alterations detected: SDHA(H447Mfs*23) and CHEK2 (T367Mfs*15). The pt with CHEK2 mutation had AA as the only malignancy, was the youngest (age 26.17) and passed away 17.26 months after diagnosis. Conclusions: A considerable number of patients with AA may have early-onset disease. A median OS of about 3 years in this young and vulnerable patient population is alarming. As in late-onset disease, EOAA is often incidentally diagnosed. LVI or PNI may be associated with poorer outcomes and deserve additional consideration for risk stratification. Many patients have targetable genomic alterations and should be included in clinical trials where current enrollment is often unsatisfactory for AA. Germline mutation testing in patients with EOAA should be widely implemented. [Table: see text]

  PublisherDOI

• Point/Counterpoint #2

  The Cancer Journal · 2024 · 1 citations

  • Medicine
  • Medical physics
  • General surgery

  ABSTRACT: Locally advanced rectal cancer has historically been treated with multimodal therapy consisting of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and total mesorectal excision. However, recent prospective trials and registry studies have demonstrated similar disease outcomes with nonoperative management for patients who experience an excellent clinical response to radiation and chemotherapy. This article reviews data regarding nonoperative management for rectal cancer, and highlights current challenges and limitations in a point-counterpoint format, in the context of two clinical cases.

  PublisherDOI

• Enhancing appendiceal cancer care: Towards evidence-based practice and continuous education for healthcare providers.

  Journal of Clinical Oncology · 2024-06-01

  article

  e16377 Background: Appendiceal cancers (AC) are a set of rare and histologically diverse malignancies with distinct biological features and treatment implications. Despite surgical advances, there are gaps in the standardization of systemic therapies for AC. Hence, there is a pressing need to understand the current practice patterns amongst oncologists to facilitate unifying management strategies. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed electronically among GI oncology specialists between April – October 2023 to map current practices in AC care. The survey contained 18 questions structured in three sections— participant demographics, treatment experiences, and management preferences for hypothetical cases. The analysis focused on response frequencies informing the need to develop targeted educational and research initiatives. Results: Most of the respondents (N = 104; response rate 22%), primarily from academic (86%) and urban settings (77%), manage up to 10 AC patients annually. Despite over five years of practice experience for 80% of respondents, high confidence in treating AC was modest (38%). The majority (83%) cited lack of guidelines and standardized treatments as a concern. The NCCN guidelines were commonly referred to, but only 13% were satisfied with AC education. For intermediate and high-grade AC, 63% and 53%, respectively, of respondents reported using perioperative chemotherapy with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. 40% opted for systemic therapy for low-grade neoplasms. 5FU/Capecitabine and oxaliplatin were the most common regimens of choice, whereas irinotecan, anti-VEGF, and anti-EGFR agents were used less frequently. Surveillance primarily involved serum CEA (91%) and CT scans (99%), with PET, MRI, and ctDNA used by 20-30% of the respondents. Free-text comments noted deficient evidence and educational needs to guide clinical practice. Conclusions: Our study is the first to describe physician attitudes and practice patterns in the management of AC. The survey highlights that even experienced providers feel underconfident when treating AC patients and supports the need for better evidence and data for systemic therapies. About 40% of the respondents noted offering chemotherapy to low grade neoplasms – a disease that is not thought to respond to systemic therapy, highlighting the need for education and clinical trials to guide evidence-based decision-making in this disease. In addition, multidisciplinary, multi-institutional efforts to unify treatment approaches and enhance patient outcomes are needed.

  PublisherDOI

• Evaluation of a National Quality Improvement Collaborative for Improving Cancer Screening

  JAMA Network Open · 2022 · 27 citations

  • Medicine
  • Family medicine
  • Internal medicine

  Importance: Cancer screening deficits during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic were found to persist into 2021. Cancer-related deaths over the next decade are projected to increase if these deficits are not addressed. Objective: To assess whether participation in a nationwide quality improvement (QI) collaborative, Return-to-Screening, was associated with restoration of cancer screening. Design, Setting, and Participants: Accredited cancer programs electively enrolled in this QI study. Project-specific targets were established on the basis of differences in mean monthly screening test volumes (MTVs) between representative prepandemic (September 2019 and January 2020) and pandemic (September 2020 and January 2021) periods to restore prepandemic volumes and achieve a minimum of 10% increase in MTV. Local QI teams implemented evidence-based screening interventions from June to November 2021 (intervention period), iteratively adjusting interventions according to their MTVs and target. Interrupted time series analyses was used to identify the intervention effect. Data analysis was performed from January to April 2022. Exposures: Collaborative QI support included provision of a Return-to-Screening plan-do-study-act protocol, evidence-based screening interventions, QI education, programmatic coordination, and calculation of screening deficits and targets. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the proportion of QI projects reaching target MTV and counterfactual differences in the aggregate number of screening tests across time periods. Results: Of 859 cancer screening QI projects (452 for breast cancer, 134 for colorectal cancer, 244 for lung cancer, and 29 for cervical cancer) conducted by 786 accredited cancer programs, 676 projects (79%) reached their target MTV. There were no hospital characteristics associated with increased likelihood of reaching target MTV except for disease site (lung vs breast, odds ratio, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.7 to 4.7). During the preintervention period (April to May 2021), there was a decrease in the mean MTV (slope, -13.1 tests per month; 95% CI, -23.1 to -3.2 tests per month). Interventions were associated with a significant immediate (slope, 101.0 tests per month; 95% CI, 49.1 to 153.0 tests per month) and sustained (slope, 36.3 tests per month; 95% CI, 5.3 to 67.3 tests per month) increase in MTVs relative to the preintervention trends. Additional screening tests were performed during the intervention period compared with the prepandemic period (170 748 tests), the pandemic period (210 450 tests), and the preintervention period (722 427 tests). Conclusions and Relevance: In this QI study, participation in a national Return-to-Screening collaborative with a multifaceted QI intervention was associated with improvements in cancer screening. Future collaborative QI endeavors leveraging accreditation infrastructure may help address other gaps in cancer care.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Bendamustine-Rituximab (BR) Combination in Low Grade B-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorders (LPD): A Community Oncology Experience

  Blood · 2014-12-06 · 1 citations

  article

  Abstract Introduction: Low-grade B-Cell LPDs are indolent Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) that are incurable with current therapeutic options. BR chemoimmunotherapy has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in these patients. Here we report our experience with BR in low-grade B Cell LPD subtypes. Method: Between October 2011 and May 2014, we treated 25 patients with a diagnosis of low-grade B-Cell LPD with a planned BR regimen of 6 cycles. The median age was 64 years (range 41-91), 15/10 M/F – a ratio of 3:2. LPD subtype included Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) 5, Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL) 3, Follicular Lymphoma (FL) 6, Marginal Zone Lymphoma (MZL) 2, Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) 2, Mucosa-associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) 3, and Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma (LPL) 4. Twenty two (88%) were stages III or IV. Ten had received prior treatments. 15 had BR as first treatment. The regimen consisted of Bendamustine (B) 90 mg/m2 (on days 1&amp;2 and Rituximab (R) 375 mg/m2 on day1 given every 28 days. Results: Seventeen (68%) completed the entire 6 planned cycles. 14 (56%) required treatment delays due to various toxicities. In 5 (20%) chemo was discontinued early for toxicity. The most common non-hematologic toxicity was fatigue 11 (44%), and skin rash 5 (20%). The grade III/IV hematologic toxicity was as follows neutropenia (3) anemia (9) and thrombocytopenia (2). The overall response rate (ORR) was 92% (23 pts) with 18 (72%) Partial Responses (PR), and 5 (20%) Complete Responses (CR). Twenty four (96%) continued to have remission with no progression noted during follow-up. One patient with 17p del CLL progressed after 3 months with Richters transformation to diffuse large B cell NHL. The median duration of response was 17 months, with a range from 2 months – 38 months. Conclusion: In all LPD subtypes, despite the observed toxicities requiring treatment delays and dose modifications, 96% patients attained significantly long lasting remissions. Although this review included a comparatively small number of patients, our experience shows that BR is a highly effective chemo immunotherapy in all subtypes of Low-Grade B-Cell LPD – suggestive of altering the natural biology of this disease. For more definitive results, the study should be inclusive of a larger number of patients and prolonged follow-ups. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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• Transcriptional activation of the γ-globin gene in baboons treated with decitabine and in cultured erythroid progenitor cells involves different mechanisms

  Experimental Hematology · 2009-07-03 · 27 citations

  articleOpen access1st author
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Joseph DeSimone

  32 shared

• Kestis Vaitkus

  Jesse Brown VA Medical Center

  32 shared

• Donald Lavelle

  Jesse Brown VA Medical Center

  32 shared

• Maria Hankewych

  University of Illinois Chicago

  28 shared

• Mahipal Singh

  Fort Valley State University

  18 shared

• Virryan Banzon

  University of Illinois Chicago

  8 shared

• Sanjeev Redkar

  Apollomics (United States)

  8 shared

• Pasit Phiasivongsa

  8 shared