David Bartlett

Overview:

David Bartlett is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology. He earned his PhD in Immunology from the University of Birmingham, England where he specialized in the effects of exercise and lifestyles on immune function and systemic inflammation in the elderly. He was awarded a coveted Marie Curie Outgoing Fellowship from the European Union which brought him to Duke under the guidance of William Kraus, MD where he assessed the immunological and physiological responses of exercise training in patients with prediabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. His laboratory studies the effects of exercise and energy balance on immune function and physiology of patient groups including cancer, arthritis and diabetes. His research program is focused on human studies employing a wide range of techniques including human physiological testing, exercise training to in vitro and ex vivo cellular assays. 

Positions:

Assistant Professor in Medicine

Medicine, Medical Oncology
School of Medicine

Member of the Duke Cancer Institute

Duke Cancer Institute
School of Medicine

Member of Duke Molecular Physiology Institute

Duke Molecular Physiology Institute
School of Medicine

Education:

Ph.D. 2014

University of Birmingham (United Kingdom)

Grants:

Weight loss and exercise to improve rheumatoid arthritis cardiovascular risk

Administered By
Duke Molecular Physiology Institute
Awarded By
National Institutes of Health
Role
Co Investigator
Start Date
End Date

Publications:

Does exercise attenuate age- and disease-associated dysfunction in unconventional T cells? Shining a light on overlooked cells in exercise immunology.

Unconventional T Cells (UTCs) are a unique population of immune cells that links innate and adaptive immunity. Following activation, UTCs contribute to a host of immunological activities, rapidly responding to microbial and viral infections and playing key roles in tumor suppression. Aging and chronic disease both have been shown to adversely affect UTC numbers and function, with increased inflammation, change in body composition, and physical inactivity potentially contributing to the decline. One possibility to augment circulating UTCs is through increased physical activity. Acute exercise is a potent stimulus leading to the mobilization of immune cells while the benefits of exercise training may include anti-inflammatory effects, reductions in fat mass, and improved fitness. We provide an overview of age-related changes in UTCs, along with chronic diseases that are associated with altered UTC number and function. We summarize how UTCs respond to acute exercise and exercise training and discuss potential mechanisms that may lead to improved frequency and function.
Authors
Hanson, ED; Bates, LC; Bartlett, DB; Campbell, JP
MLA Citation
Hanson, Erik D., et al. “Does exercise attenuate age- and disease-associated dysfunction in unconventional T cells? Shining a light on overlooked cells in exercise immunology.Eur J Appl Physiol, Apr. 2021. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/s00421-021-04679-4.
URI
https://scholars.duke.edu/individual/pub1478507
PMID
33822261
Source
pubmed
Published In
Eur J Appl Physiol
Published Date
DOI
10.1007/s00421-021-04679-4

Body composition, physical function and quality of life in healthy men and across different stages of prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer (PC) has detrimental effects on physical function and quality of life (QoL), but the addition of androgen receptor signalling inhibitors (ARSI) on these outcomes is unclear. PURPOSE: To compare body composition, physical function, and QoL across progressive stages of PC and non-cancer controls (CON). METHODS: In men with hormone sensitive PC (HSPC, n = 43) or metastatic castration-resistant PC (mCRPC, n = 22) or CON (n = 37), relative and absolute lean and fat mass, physical function (6 m walk, chair stands, timed up and go [TUG], stair climb), and QoL were determined. RESULTS: Relative body composition differed amongst all groups, along with ~39% greater absolute fat mass in mCRPC vs. CON. TUG and chair stands were ~71% and ~33% slower in mCRPC compared to both CON and HSPC, whereas stair climb was ~29% and 6 m walk was ~18% slower in mCRPC vs. CON. Relative body composition was correlated with physical function (r = 0.259-0.385). Clinically relevant differences for mCRPC were observed for overall QoL and several subscales vs. CON, although body composition and physical function did not influence QoL. CONCLUSIONS: PC progression is associated with deteriorations in body composition and physical function. As ADT length was similar between groups, ARSI use for mCRPC likely contributed in part to these changes. Given the difficulties of improving lean mass during ADT, interventions that reduce adiposity may lessen the side effects of hormone therapy.
Authors
Hanson, ED; Stopforth, CK; Alzer, M; Carver, J; Lucas, AR; Whang, YE; Milowsky, MI; Bartlett, DB; Harrison, MR; Hayes, A; Bitting, RL; Deal, AM; Hackney, AC; Battaglini, CL
MLA Citation
Hanson, Erik D., et al. “Body composition, physical function and quality of life in healthy men and across different stages of prostate cancer.Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis, vol. 24, no. 3, Sept. 2021, pp. 725–32. Pubmed, doi:10.1038/s41391-020-00317-w.
URI
https://scholars.duke.edu/individual/pub1472410
PMID
33495569
Source
pubmed
Published In
Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis
Volume
24
Published Date
Start Page
725
End Page
732
DOI
10.1038/s41391-020-00317-w

Factors associated with falls in older women with breast cancer: the use of a brief geriatric screening tool in clinic.

PURPOSE: Unintentional falls and breast cancer are common among older women, but the associations between them are understudied. We aimed to identify factors associated with falls in older women with breast cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical records of older women with breast cancer at Duke Medical Center who had completed the Senior Adult Oncology Program geriatric assessment. Characteristics were compared between women had had at least one fall in the past year and those who did not. Pearson's Chi-square tests and t tests were used for comparison of groups' characteristics. Logistic regression determined factors associated with falling. RESULTS: We identified 425 women, age 76.2 years (range 65-89 years), at the time of the assessment. 118 (27.8%) women reported a fall in the prior year. Age, race, ethnicity, and time since diagnosis (all p > 0.05) were similar between groups. In univariate analyses, metastatic disease (p = 0.023) and history of endocrine therapy (p = 0.042) were more common among women who fell. Women who fell had lower systolic (p = 0.001), diastolic (p < 0.001) blood pressures, and SpO2 (p = 0.018). Women who had fallen had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI: p = 0.033), and were more likely to report using a walking aide (p < 0.001), nutritional issues (p = 0.006), and depression symptoms (p = 0.038). In multivariate analysis, falling was associated with low DBP (OR 0.93; p = 0.0017), low SpO2 (OR 0.79; p = 0.0169), a higher CCI (OR 1.23; p = 0.0076), and depression symptoms (OR 1.61; p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Among older women with breast cancer, depressive symptoms, higher comorbidity level, and vital sign measurements were associated with having fallen.
Authors
Bartlett, DB; Broadwater, G; White, HK; Shelby, R; Zullig, LL; Robertson, J; Kanesvaran, R; Cohen, HJ; Kimmick, G
MLA Citation
Bartlett, David B., et al. “Factors associated with falls in older women with breast cancer: the use of a brief geriatric screening tool in clinic.Breast Cancer Res Treat, vol. 184, no. 2, Nov. 2020, pp. 445–57. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/s10549-020-05862-5.
URI
https://scholars.duke.edu/individual/pub1456216
PMID
32794062
Source
pubmed
Published In
Breast Cancer Res Treat
Volume
184
Published Date
Start Page
445
End Page
457
DOI
10.1007/s10549-020-05862-5

Physical Fitness As A Determinant Of Leukemia Cell Biology In Treatment-Naive Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Authors
Bartlett, DB; Sitlinger, A; Deal, M; Connelly, MA; Stewart, T; Guadalupe, E; MacDonald, G; Kraus, WE; Weinberg, JB; Brander, DB
MLA Citation
Bartlett, David B., et al. “Physical Fitness As A Determinant Of Leukemia Cell Biology In Treatment-Naive Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).” Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, vol. 52, no. 17, 2020, pp. 986–986.
URI
https://scholars.duke.edu/individual/pub1469302
Source
wos-lite
Published In
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
Volume
52
Published Date
Start Page
986
End Page
986

Skeletal Muscle Metabolic Gene Profile Associates With Rheumatoid Arthritis Improvements Following High Intensity Interval Training

Authors
Andonian, BJ; Bartlett, DB; Hubal, MJ; Willis, L; Reaves, MA; Kraus, WE; Huffman, KM
MLA Citation
Andonian, Brian J., et al. “Skeletal Muscle Metabolic Gene Profile Associates With Rheumatoid Arthritis Improvements Following High Intensity Interval Training.” Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, vol. 52, no. 17, 2020, pp. 91–91.
URI
https://scholars.duke.edu/individual/pub1469305
Source
wos-lite
Published In
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
Volume
52
Published Date
Start Page
91
End Page
91