Knight Biobehavioral Oncology Lab

Psychoneuroendocrinology (2013)

Knight, J. M., Lyness, J. M., Sahler, O. J. Z., Liesveld, J. L., & Moynihan, J. A. (2013). Psychosocial factors and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: potential biobehavioral pathways. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 38(11), 2383-2393.

Clinical Cancer Research (2016)

Knight, J. M., Rizzo, J. D., Logan, B. R., Wang, T., Arevalo, J. M., Ma, J., & Cole, S. W. (2016). Low Socioeconomic Status, Adverse Gene Expression Profiles, and Clinical Outcomes in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients Low SES, Gene Expression, and Outcomes in HCT. Clinical Cancer Research, 22(1), 69-78.

Blood Advances

Knight, J. M., Rizzo, J. D., Hari, P., Pasquini, M. C., Giles, K. E., D’Souza, A., ... & Cole, S. W. (2020). Propranolol inhibits molecular risk markers in HCT recipients: a phase 2 randomized controlled biomarker trial. Blood Advances, 4(3), 467-476.

Taylor, M. R., Cole, S. W., Strom, J., Brazauskas, R., Baker, K. S., Phelan, R., ... & Knight, J. M. (2023). Unfavorable transcriptome profiles and social disadvantage in hematopoietic cell transplantation: a CIBMTR analysis. Blood Advances, 7(22), 6830-6838.

Transplantation and Cellular Therapy

Kelly, D. L., Syrjala, K., Taylor, M., Rentscher, K. E., Hashmi, S., Wood, W. A., ... & Knight, J. M. (2021). Biobehavioral research and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: expert review from the Biobehavioral Research Special Interest Group of the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, 27(9), 747-757.

Taylor, M. R., Steineck, A., Lahijani, S., Hall, A. G., Jim, H. S., Phelan, R., & Knight, J. M. (2023). Biobehavioral implications of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy: current state and future directions. Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, 29(1), 19-26

Haematologica (2023)

Knight, J. M., Hackett, E., Szabo, A., Wu, R., Sauber, G., Johnson, B., ... & Shah, N. N. (2023). Associations between socioeconomic status and bispecific LV20. 19 CAR T-cell therapy outcomes. Haematologica, 108(2), 588.

Frontiers in Immunology (2022)

Knight, J. M., Taylor, M. R., Rentscher, K. E., Henley, E. C., Uttley, H. A., Nelson, A. M., ... & Costanzo, E. S. (2022). Biobehavioral implications of COVID-19 for transplantation and cellular therapy recipients. Frontiers in Immunology, 13, 877558.

Communications Medicine

Knight, J. M., Szabo, A., Arapi, I., Wu, R., Emmrich, A., Hackett, E., ... & Shah, N. N. (2022). Patient-reported outcomes and neurotoxicity markers in patients treated with bispecific LV20. 19 CAR T cell therapy. Communications Medicine, 2(1), 49.

Psycho-Oncology

Molinaro, J., Banerjee, A., Lyndon, S., Slocum, S., Danhieux‐Poole, C., Restivo‐Pritzl, C., ... & Knight, J. M. (2021). Reducing distress and depression in cancer patients during survivorship. Psycho‐Oncology, 30(6), 962-969.

McAndrew, N. S., Strong, Y., Morris, K. J., Sannes, T. S., Pirl, W. F., Cole, S., ... & Knight, J. M. (2022). Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on cancer patients and psycho‐oncology providers: Perspectives, observations, and experiences of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society membership. Psycho‐Oncology, 31(6), 1031-1040.

Awoyinka, I., Tovar, M., Young, S., Beyer, K., Kwarteng, J., Knight, J., & Stolley, M. (2024). Examining the role of social relationships on health and health behaviors in African American men with prostate cancer: a qualitative analysis. Supportive Care in Cancer, 32(3), 1-9.

Bird, C. M., Webb, E. K., Cole, S. W., Tomas, C. W., Knight, J. M., Timmer-Murillo, S. C., ... & Torres, L. (2024). Experiences of racial discrimination and adverse gene expression among black individuals in a level 1 trauma center sample. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 116, 229-236.

Taylor, M. R., Cole, S. W., Strom, J., Brazauskas, R., Baker, K. S., Phelan, R., ... & Knight, J. M. (2023). Unfavorable transcriptome profiles and social disadvantage in hematopoietic cell transplantation: a CIBMTR analysis. Blood Advances, 7(22), 6830-6838.

Blue, B. J., Brazauskas, R., Chen, K., Patel, J., Zeidan, A. M., Steinberg, A., ... & Majhail, N. S. (2023). Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Long-Term Outcomes in≥ 1 Year Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Survivors: A CIBMTR Analysis. Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, 29(11), 709-e1.

Kleman, A., Singavi, A., Pommert, L., Mathison, A. J., Hari, P., Dhakal, B., ... & Carlson, K. (2023). A timeline of genetic variant enrichment: from multiple myeloma diagnosis to myeloma-associated myeloid malignancy. Blood Advances, 7(18), 5549-5553.

Donor socioeconomic status as a predictor of altered immune function and treatment response following hematopoietic cell transplantation for hematologic malignancy
The goal of this research study is to determine whether donor immunologic characteristics associated with socioeconomic factors worsen hematopoietic cell transplant recipient outcomes. We will also look to see whether donor and recipient SES factors will impact genetic expression statuses among these patients.

Role: PI; MPI: Dr. Lucie Turcotte
Funding: R01 – CA238562

Determining the role of the SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway and its intersection with chronic stress to establish novel precision approaches to head and neck cancer management
The goal of this research study is to explore the relationship between cancer progression and chronic stress in HPV-negative head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. We will investigate the impact of chronic stress on increased tumor growth and metastases using mice who were engineered to have human immune systems and HNC xenografts.

Role: Co-PI; PI: Dr. Joseph Zenga
Funding: R21 – CA279935

Mindfulness meditation and sleep disturbance in hematopoietic cell transplant patients: inflammatory mechanisms
The goal of this research study is to evaluate whether mindfulness techniques are helpful and easy for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) recipients. We want to find out if behavioral techniques such as the Mindfulness Awareness Practices for Insomnia (MAP-I) and Sleep Health Education (SHE) are easy to learn and practice and help with sleep.

Role: PI
Funding: MCW Cancer Center Team Science Pilot Grant, MCW Cancer Center, Laura Gralton Philanthropic Fund

Studies of kynurenine metabolites as a link between socioenvironmental disparities and poor outcomes in CAR T therapy
The purpose of this research study is to examine the associations between socioeconomic status (SES), kynurenine (KYN) and its metabolites, and neurotoxicity in CAR T-cell therapy patients. Using mouse models, we will investigate underlying mechanisms connecting KYN metabolites, inflammation, and chronic stress. Future research will explore potential interventions to reduce neurotoxicity and improve outcomes for CAR T-cell therapy patients, especially those of lower SES.

Role: Co-PI; PI: Dr. Cecilia Hillard
Funding: MCW Cancer Center Idea Award

Socioenvironmental disparities and accelerated aging in CAR T cell therapy recipients
The goal of this research study is to examine whether there is an association between socioenvironmental disparities (low socioeconomic status (SES), financial toxicity, and racial group) and accelerated aging in CAR T-cell therapy patients. The study will also investigate relationships between patient-reported outcomes, adverse effects, and clinical outcomes following CAR T-cell therapy.

Role: Co-PI; PI: Dr. Kelly Rentscher
Funding: MCW-American Cancer Society Research Grant

Associations Between Socioeconomic Status and CAR T-cell therapy Biomarkers and Outcomes
The purpose of this research is to examine associations between socioeconomic status and CAR T-cell therapy changes in neurotoxicity biomarkers, clinical outcomes, and quality of life with the goal of further understanding the biological basis of cancer disparities.

Role: PI

Financial Toxicity Associated with CAR-T Cell Therapy
The purpose of this research is to understand financial toxicity (distress from out-of-pocket expenses, opportunity costs, treatment compliance, and survivorship) among CAR-T cell therapy patients with relapsed and refractory B cell lymphoma. Using interviews and questionnaires through multiple time points, we hope to understand how financial stressors play a part in CAR-T cell therapy clinical outcomes.

Role: PI

Effect of Tocilizumab on Quality of Life and Inflammatory Based Biomarkers Among Allogenic Transplant Recipients
The goal of this research study is to determine whether the anti-interleukin (IL)-6 receptor antibody Tocilizumab improves quality of life in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). The study compares two groups of patients; the intervention group received Tocilizumab with HCT while the comparison group underwent standard of care HCT treatment and did not receive Tocilizumab. Patient reported outcomes (PRO) measures will inform us of any quality of life changes patients experienced over the course of treatment until 180 days following treatment completion.

Role: PI

Knight JM. The biological impact of social health disparities in the transplantation and cellular therapy setting. BMT/SCT Seminar Series, Columbia University, New York, NY (4/2024)

Knight JM, Cole SW, Beyer KM, Wang T, Spellman SR, Allbee-Johnson M, Zhou Y, Verneris MR, Rizzo JD, Turcotte LM. Transcriptional indicators of social determinants of health and cancer outcomes: Donor socioeconomic disadvantage and recipient mortality following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Oral Paper Presentation, American Society of Preventive Oncology, Chicago, IL (3/2024)

Knight JM. The biology of socioeconomic disparities and adverse outcomes following CAR T cell therapy. Part of Spotlight Session “Social determinants of health and cancer disparities in TCT recipients: mechanisms and interventions”. Oral Presentation, Tandem Meetings | Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Meetings of ASTCT and CIBMTR, San Antonio, TX (2/2024)

Knight JM & Shah NN. Building a Comprehensive CAR T-Cell Program: Clinical outcomes, disparities, and biological vulnerability research in LV20.19 CAR T-cell therapy recipients. MCW Cancer Control Research Program and Discovery & Drug Developmental Therapeutics Research Program Collaborative Retreat (2/2024)

Knight JM, Cole SW, Beyer KM, Wang T, Spellman SR, Allbee-Johnson M, Zhou Y, Verneris MR, Rizzo JD, Henley EC, Turcotte LM. Dlin-Fischer Clinical Research Award: Social disparities and cancer - The biologic fingerprint of stress is transplantable and associated with worse clinical outcomes. Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (ACLP) Webinar Series (1/2024)

Barrington Health & Wellness Summit: Dr. Jennifer Knight – Stress & Cancer (Video: 1:40:35)

Donor socioeconomic status affects hematopoietic stem cell transplant outcomes
Healio News | April 26, 2022

War of Nerves: An emerging relationship between the nervous system and tumor growth suggests new therapies
Preclinical research shows that stress-induced activation of the sympathetic nervous system can promote hematopoietic malignancies via β-adrenoreceptor–mediated molecular pathways.
Science Magazine

How Stress Affects Cancer's Course
Knowable Magazine | April 7, 2025