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Researchers and Staff
Cancer Center Update
May 24, 2005
Cancer Center Update is sent to Cancer Center members and staff every Tuesday at 10 a.m. To submit an item for publication, send the information to Sandi Sherman by noon the Friday before publication.
In This Issue:
Professional Education and Seminars
Grant Information & Announcements
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors: Successes, limitations, future directions
Carlos L. Arteaga, M.D., Director, VICC Breast Cancer Program, Professor of Medicine and Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Host: Doug Yee
This is the last Cancer Center Seminar for the 2004-2005 academic year. Please check the web site for updates on next year's schedule as it develops.
For a complete schedule visit: http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/date.html
Sponsored Jointly by Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health and the Masonic Cancer Center
Tuesday, May 24, 2005, 10:00 am — 11:00 am, WBOB Rm. 140
“Smoking Cessation: What is the State of the Art and Where Is It Going?”
Robert C. Klesges, PhD, Professor of Medicine & Psychology, College of Medicine, Associate Director for Research, Nicotine Dependence Center, The Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
Thursday, May 26, 2005, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm, WBOB Taylor Conference Room 142
“Antifolate Pharmacogenetics in Cancer Treatment and Survivorship: Genes, Drugs and the Environment”
Kim Robien, PhD, RD, FADA, CNSD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Cancer Prevention Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
CANCER CENTER MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Andrew Flood, Ph.D., epidemiologist, and David Rothenberger, M.D., colorectal surgeon, were quoted in reports by the Pioneer Press and WCCO-TV about a study in the May 19 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine that found colonoscopy is the most effective method for screening for colon cancer in women. Flood was a co-author on the study, which was led by an investigator at the University of Michigan. This study is the first large, evidence-based study on screening for colorectal cancer in women.
CANCER CENTER’S ANNUAL REPORT WINS GOLD AWARD
The Masonic Cancer Center’s 2004 annual report received a Gold Award in the digital printing category at the In-Print Awards competition, sponsored by International Publishing Management Association and In-Plant Graphics magazine. University of Minnesota Printing Services printed the digital copies of the annual report.
HOPE LODGE FOR CANCER PATIENTS PLANNED
The Masonic Cancer Center, American Cancer Society (ACS), and University of Minnesota Medical Center are partnering to build a Hope Lodge to provide free housing for adults who need to travel a distance to receive treatment for cancer at the University, according to an announcement made last week. The announcement further noted that the ACS has received a $7.5 million challenge grant from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation of Minneapolis for the new Hope Lodge. This grant challenges ACS to raise matching gifts and pledges. The new Hope Lodge would have up to 40 rooms and be located on the east edge of the University campus.
POSTERS PRESENTED AT ASPHO MEETING
Scott Baker, M.D., Jim Gurney, Ph.D., and Suleimann Al-Sweedan, M.D. presented posters about their cancer research at the annual meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology Oncology.
KUDOS TO THE TTURC TEAM ON NATIONAL REPORT
A report produced by The Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center (TTURC), “Hope or Hazard: What Research Tells Us About Potentially Reduced-Exposure Tobacco Products,” has received national attention. The report is a compilation of the most up-to-date research on the harmful nature of and exposure to harmful chemicals in cigarettes that are modified to reduce exposure to harmful substances.
According to Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., co-director of TTURC and lead author of the report, some manufacturers of these products have been claiming that they reduce exposure to cancer-causing agents, and that those decreases may lead to a reduced risk of cancer and other harmful health effects. Tobacco products that claim to reduce risk or reduce exposure are called “potentially reduced exposure tobacco products” or PREPS. “But to date, there is no evidence to suggest that the extent of reduction in tobacco toxin exposure with any of the existing products reduces the risk of disease,” says Dr. Hatsukami. “We simply do not know how much of a reduction in toxin exposure is needed to create a positive effect on health.”
The national attention garnered included a favorable editorial in USA Today and news reports across the country by the NBC News network. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation website also features an extensive Q&A with Dr. Hatsukami. To read the Q&A go to: http://www.rwjf.org/newsroom/featureDetail.jsp?featureID=686
MORE NEWS ABOUT TTURC
Another TTURC study was in the news recently. Led by Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., and published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention journal, the study investigated the impact of environmental tobacco smoke on bar and restaurant workers. It found that employees who do not smoke but work in restaurants and bars where smoking is permitted have significantly higher levels of nicotine and cancer-causing toxins in their body on working days compared to nonworking days. The results of the study were reported by Associated Press, Star Tribune, MPR, Kare-11, and WCCO Radio.
If anybody has choriocarcinoma cell lines (BeWo, JEG-3, JAR or others) that they are willing to share, please contact Mike Verneris (Verneris@umn.edu).
2ND ANNUAL TEE OFF ON CANCER GOLF TOURNAMENT
It's time to scratch that golf itch! The 2 nd Annual Tee Off On Cancer Golf Tournament is right around the corner. The event has been expanded this year to include a silent auction at the American Legion, Savage on Sunday, July 17. This is followed by the golf tournament on Monday, July 18 at Creeks Bend Golf Course in New Prague. Presented by the CJM Cancer Foundation, these events support cancer screening research and education at The Masonic Cancer Center. Check-in on golf day begins at 10 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at noon. Avid golfers and novices alike are invited to participate. Registration for a foursome is $340 and includes greens fees, use of a cart, balls, a gift bag, dinner and prizes. It's sure to be a fun day on the green. Golf registration ends May 31. To volunteer, register to play, or for more information about either event, please visit www.teeoffoncancer.org.
Ann M. Bode, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Research, Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota
Program(s): Carcinogeneis and Chemoprevention
Area of scientific interest: Molecular and cellular biology of cancer development
Patrick J. Bolan, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Research, Radiology, Center for MR Research
Program(s): Breast Cancer Research, Cancer Progression and Metastasis
Area of scientific interest: Development of techniques for magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy of breast cancer and evaluation of their efficacy for diagnosing suspect lesions and monitoring response to chemotherapy
Claudio Brunstein. M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation
Program(s): Transplant Biology and Therapy
Area of scientific interest: Umbilical cord blood transplant
Emad S. Ebbini, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Institute of Technology
Program(s): Translational Research, Breast Cancer Research
Area of scientific interest: Developing novel approaches to ultrasound-based imaging and therapeutics for the treatment of solid neoplasms.
Area of clinical interest: Urologic/prostate cancer; breast cancer
Ronald Jemmerson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Microbiology
Program(s): Immunology
Area of scientific interest: Mechanisms of cytochrome c release from mitochondria in apoptosis
Shunan Li, Ph.D.
Instructor, Department of Medicine/Pulmonary
Program(s): Breast Cancer Research, Translational Research
Area of scientific interest: Translational regulation of cell fact and tumorigenesis and specifically the role of eIF4E and other genetic alterations in transforming normal human mammary epithelial cells into malignant phenotypes.
Arora Mukta, M.D., M.S.
Assistant Professor, Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation
Program(s): Transplant Biology and Therapy; Prevention and Etiology
Area of scientific interest: Clinical research in the field of hematopoietic stem cell transplant with special interest in chronic graft-versus-host disease and multiple myeloma
R. Timothy Mulcahy, Ph.D.
Vice-President for Research, University of Minnesota
Program(s): Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention; Translational Research
Area of scientific interest: Experimental therapeutics; drug resistance mechanisms; oxidative stress
Peter W. Villalta, Ph.D.
Senior Research Associate, Cancer Center
Program(s): Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention
Area of scientific interest: Mass spectrometric measurement of trace constituents of biological fluids and tissues, in particular to measure levels of various compounds (proteins, DNA adducts, and myo-inositol phosphates) upon exposure to carcinogens and chemopreventive agents.
ADDENDUM TO PA-05-054: FUNCTIONAL LINKS BETWEEN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, BRAIN FUNCTION, AND BEHAVIOR
NOT-CA-05-018
Release Date: May 16, 2005
This Notice is to indicate NCI's addition as a co-sponsor of Program Announcement PA-05-054
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-CA-05-018.html
QUICK-TRIALS FOR IMAGING AND IMAGE-GUIDED INTERVENTIONS: EXPLORATORY GRANTS
PAR-05-114
Application Receipt Dates: August 9, 2005; December 9, 2005; April 9, 2006; August 9, 2006; December 9, 2006; April 9, 2007; August 9, 2007; December 9, 2007; April 9, 2008
Early clinical trials of novel imaging agents are needed to assure their safety and efficacy , so that further evaluations of the potential of these agents can proceed. Similarly, Phase I studies are required in image-guided intervention, to establish treatment parameters and early therapeutic efficacy for these methods. This PA is intended to provide a mechanism by which to accelerate the development of these modalities, methodologies, and agents through the early stages of clinical development (such as trials evaluating safety and preliminary efficacy).
Investigators may apply for a maximum of 2 years of funding support using the exploratory or developmental (R21) grant mechanism for up to $250,000 direct costs per year. The anticipated number of awards is three to six per year. The anticipated start date is April 2006. http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-05-114.html
To view all grants available through the Masonic Cancer Center, visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/grant/grantopp.html
GENETIC MECHANISMS OF CANCER PROGRAM SEMINAR
Thursday, May 26, 2005, 4:00-5:00 p.m., 3-110 Moos Tower
mTor signaling, autophagy and growth control
Tom Neufeld, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
This is the last Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program Seminar for the 2004-2005 academic year. Please check our web site at http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/gensem.html for future meetings.
No conference due to Memorial Day holiday.
For a complete schedule visit http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/aboutus/bmtlect.html
ENGEBRETSON SYMPOSIUM ON DRUG DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT IN CANCER TO BE HELD JUNE 9
The 2005 Engebretson Symposium on Drug Discovery and Development In Cancer Experimental Therapeutics will be held on June 9, 2005. The symposium is free but advanced registration is required and space is limited. A registration form is available at http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/docs/Eng_Reg.pdf . The agenda is also available for download at http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/docs/Eng_Agenda.pdf .
ANNUAL SALUTE TO STAFF AND FACULTY AND CANCER CENTER PICNIC ON JUNE 20, 2005
Join the Masonic Cancer Center 's Salute to Staff and Faculty on Monday, June 20, at 8:00 a.m. Light refreshments will be served in the atrium areas on all four floors of CCRB. Cancer Center director Dr. John Kersey will present a State-of-the-Cancer Center address at 9:00 a.m. in 450 CCRB. He will review accomplishments of the past year and goals for the coming year and will present the Years of Service recognition awards.
The picnic will be held that same day at East River Flats Park (directly below CCRB on the river) from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Families are welcome.
CHILDREN'S CANCER RESEARCH FUND — TIME TO FLY
June 25, 2005
Harriet Island, Downtown St. Paul
Registration begins @ 6:30AM; Events begin at 8AM
See:www.ccrftimetofly.com for race details, registration, and to pledge.
MARSHALL FIELDS GLAMORAMA TO BENEFIT CHILDREN'S CANCER RESEARCH FUND
Friday, August 5, 2005, 7:30 p.m., Historic State Theatre
For ticket information contact Mary Schultze @ 6.2961 or schul032@umn.edu .
STEM CELL WORKSHOP TO BE HELD JULY 23
Cancer Center members will be among the presenters at the Stem Cell Workshop sponsored by the Society for Cryobiology, Biomedical Engineering Institute and Department of Mechanical Engineering
The goals of the workshop are to:
• Review the present understanding of stem cell biology, plasticity as well as clinical and preclinical applications of stem cells.
• Contrast and compare adult stem cells with hematopoietic and embryonic.
• Provide background on processing of stem cells for human therapeutic applications.
• Review the current understanding of stem cell preservation.
• Summarize the opportunities and challenges for stem cell-based therapies.
Information and registration materials can be found at http://www.me.umn.edu/events/cryo2005/stemcell.html .