Dr. Hosford studies how specific drugs interact within the bodies of people with HIV and how these interactions can affect treatment outcomes. Her research includes examining the effects of tenofovir alafenamide and emtricitabine, two essential drugs in HIV treatment, by comparing their levels in blood cells of individuals with and without the virus. Additionally, she investigates how particular tests can predict outcomes for patients with diseases like ovarian cancer, aiming to personalize chemotherapy treatments. Another aspect of her work focuses on understanding the structure and function of blood vessel junctions in the lungs, which is crucial for managing respiratory diseases.
Key findings
In people with HIV, levels of tenofovir in dried blood were about 49% higher and emtricitabine in platelets was 36% higher compared to those without HIV.
Patients whose ovarian tumors were resistant to certain chemotherapy drugs had a median progression-free interval of only 9 months, while those with sensitive tumors showed no disease progression.
In papillary serous endometrial carcinoma, 81% of cases did not express the CD44 protein, and 78% of these patients exhibited malignant cells in cervical tests compared to 33% of those expressing CD44.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Hosford study HIV?
Yes, she investigates the effects of HIV on the pharmacology of AIDS drugs, such as tenofovir and emtricitabine.
What cancer treatments has Dr. Hosford researched?
She has researched how tests like the ChemoFx assay can predict patient responses to chemotherapy, particularly in ovarian cancer.
Is Dr. Hosford's work relevant to patients with lung diseases?
Yes, her studies on the structure of blood vessel junctions in the lungs contribute to a better understanding of respiratory illnesses.
Publications in plain English
Cellular pharmacology of tenofovir alafenamide and emtricitabine in neutrophils and platelets in people with and without HIV.
2025
The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy
Mainella VA, Branchford B, Nemkov T, Hosford S, Coyle RP +8 more
Plain English This study looked at the concentrations of two AIDS drugs, tenofovir alafenamide and emtricitabine, in different blood cells of people with and without HIV. It found that, in people with HIV, the levels of tenofovir in dried blood were nearly 49% higher and emtricitabine in platelets was about 36% higher compared to those without HIV. These results matter because they show that HIV status influences how these drugs are distributed in the body, which could affect treatment outcomes.
Who this helps: This research benefits doctors and healthcare providers managing treatment for people with HIV.
Connecting Hazard Analysts and Risk Managers to Sensor Information.
2008
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
Le Cozannet G, Hosford S, Douglas J, Serrano JJ, Coraboeuf D +1 more
Plain English This research focuses on improving how hazard analysts and risk managers access information from sensor networks that monitor natural events like earthquakes and floods. The study highlights a new prototype catalog that makes it easier to find and use data about these sensors, which were previously hard to access and came in different formats. This improvement is important because it allows these professionals to make better-informed decisions, potentially reducing risk to communities.
Who this helps: This benefits hazard analysts, risk managers, and ultimately the communities they serve.
Progression-free interval in ovarian cancer and predictive value of an ex vivo chemoresponse assay.
2006
International journal of gynecological cancer : official journal of the International Gynecological Cancer Society
Gallion H, Christopherson WA, Coleman RL, DeMars L, Herzog T +4 more
Plain English This study looked at how well a specific test called the ChemoFx assay can predict how long ovarian cancer patients remain free from disease progression after receiving chemotherapy. The results showed that patients whose tumors were tested and found to be resistant to certain drugs had a median progression-free interval of just 9 months, while those with tumors considered sensitive to the same drugs had not experienced any progression at all, indicating the ChemoFx assay could help guide treatment choices. This matters because using such tests can help doctors choose the most effective chemotherapy for individual patients, potentially improving their outcomes.
Who this helps: This helps ovarian cancer patients by guiding personalized treatment plans.
CD44 expression in papillary serous endometrial carcinoma.
2003
International journal of gynecological cancer : official journal of the International Gynecological Cancer Society
Hosford S, Elliott J, Ma ZW, Majeste R, Dubeshter B
Plain English This study looked at the role of a protein called CD44 in a specific type of uterine cancer called papillary serous endometrial carcinoma. Researchers found that 81% of the cancer cases tested did not express CD44, and patients without CD44 were more likely to show malignant cells in cervical tests, with 78% showing these cells compared to only 33% of those with CD44. This is important because it suggests that a lack of CD44 could be linked to the cancer being more aggressive and spread more easily.
Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers understand how to better assess and treat patients with this type of cancer.
A novel application of microsphere perfusion and scanning electron microscopy to the identification of pulmonary arterioles in guinea-pig and rabbit lungs.
1994
Journal of microscopy
Walker DC, Hosford S, Mackenzie A
Plain English This study explored how researchers can differentiate between small blood vessels called arterioles and venules in the lungs using a new method that combines microspheres and advanced imaging techniques. The researchers found that arteriolar cells are spindle-shaped and have narrower nuclei compared to the polygonal-shaped cells in venules, showing a significant difference in size (nuclei differences measured with a statistical significance of P = 0.019). This advancement is important because it improves our ability to study lung blood vessels, which could enhance our understanding of various lung diseases.
Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers studying lung health and related conditions.
The structure of the tricellular region of endothelial tight junctions of pulmonary capillaries analyzed by freeze-fracture.
1994
Microvascular research
Walker DC, MacKenzie A, Hosford S
Plain English This study looked at how tight junctions, which are connections between cells, are arranged at the corners of small blood vessels in the lungs. Researchers found that at these corners, there are small gaps in the junctions that average about 27.4 nanometers wide. They also discovered that one of the three cells joins together to create a flap that helps cover the gaps, and the arrangement of these junctions is different from what is seen in other types of cells.
This matters because understanding how these tight junctions work can help improve our knowledge of lung health and diseases.
Who this helps: Patients with respiratory illnesses.