Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota

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Masonic Cancer Center of the University of Minnesota

Cancer Center Update is sent to Cancer Center members and staff every Tuesday at 10 a.m. Please submit items to Sandi Sherman, sherm019@umn.edu, by noon the previous Friday.

In This Issue


Director's Message

Today's Cancer Center Seminar

News

Education and Events

Cancer Center Program Meetings

Funding News and Opportunities

Director's Message

Update on support grant renewal and research programs
If you've recently heard a collective sigh of relief from the Masonic Cancer Center's 7th floor and from Dinnaken, it's because we shipped off the Masonic Cancer Center Support Grant renewal due on January 25th with a day to spare! Compiling this document, all 987 pages, required a lot of work. The document serves to register the accomplishments we've made over the past five years. It's clear that our Cancer Center remains on an upward trajectory. In the past five years we've grown to 225 research members with over $95 million in yearly research funding (compared to 151 members and $71 million in 2002). Our progress results from the efforts of many individuals, not just the research members. All of you contribute to the work done in our Cancer Center and we should all be proud of what we've accomplished.

As you probably know, our research members are all assigned to specific programs. Programs represent the thematic interests of our faculty and also represent specific and focused cancer research areas. Our eight programs and their program leaders are:

I'm sure you're familiar with many of the programs and their leaders. There have been several new additions. Notably, Scott Baker and Beth Virnig are leading the development of the Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship Program, which is in the process of "budding off" from the Prevention and Etiology Program. The increasing number of cancer survivors, and the need to study issues associated with our successes in treating the disease, will make this a very important program in coming years. Additionally, focusing on the factors related to differences in cancer outcomes, from the population science viewpoint, will help us make sure that improvements in cancer outcomes apply equally to everyone.

The Breast Cancer Program has combined with investigators interested in gynecologic malignancy to form the Women's Cancer Program. In my view, this program evolved naturally from collaborations and common interests of the program members. Levi Downs has taken a leadership role in defining the scientific and clinical direction of this program.

The Transplant Biology and Therapy Program has always been one of our strongest programs and has served as a model for translating therapeutic strategies that begin as laboratory findings. John Wagner and Dan Weisdorf are the new program leaders taking over from Bruce Blazar and Jeff Miller. Both Bruce and Jeff remain integral members of the Masonic Cancer Center, but in this renewal have taken on new roles: Jeff as associate director of Experimental Therapeutics and Bruce as a co-leader of the new Translational Methodologies core. In a future Director's Message, I'll discuss more about changes in the Cancer Center's shared resources.

Again, I want to thank each of you for making my job enjoyable. I get to represent your work and the progress you've made! I believe we're entering a new era of cancer research and therapy, and our Cancer Center is well equipped to face the upcoming challenges.

Douglas Yee, M.D.
Director, University of Minnesota Cancer Center
Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology
Tickle Family Land Grant Chair in Breast Cancer Research

Today's Cancer Center Seminar

Tuesday, February 12, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Polyamines as strong biological modifiers that promote tumorigenesis
Susan Gilmour, Ph.D., Professor, Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pa.

Hosts: Christopher Pennell, Ph.D., and Khalil Ahmed, Ph.D.

A peek at next week's seminar:
Tuesday, February 19, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Mechanisms of tumor suppression by ARF
Dawn E. Quelle, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Carver College of Medicine and Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa

Host: David Potter, M.D., Ph.D.

Visit the Cancer Center Seminar Series calendar for a complete schedule of lectures.

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News

Members in the news
Douglas Yee, M.D., Cancer Center director, was quoted on MinnPost.com in an article about women with cancer and exercise.

Todd Tuttle, M.D., member of the Women's Cancer Program, was quoted in a February 5 Washington Post article about the increase in the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer who are opting for contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM). Results of a study on the increase in CPM by Tuttle and his colleagues were published in the October 22 online issue of the Journal of Oncology.

Selwyn Vickers, M.D., Todd Tuttle, M.D., Eric Jensen, M.D., and Ed Greeno, M.D., are featured in Pictures of Health, published by the Academic Health Center, in an article about the new Minnesota Pancreas and Liver Center, where oncology surgeons and clinicians from the University and physicians at Hennepin County Medical Center merge their strengths to deliver an unprecedented level of care. In same issue, the research of Jaime Modiano, V.M.D., Ph.D., at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Cancer Center is featured in an article titled "Cause for paws: When it comes to cancer, man's best friend really might be a dog and vice versa."

John Wagner, M.D., and Brenda Weigel, M.D., members of the Transplant Biology and Therapy Program, were mentioned in an article in Insideview, a newsletter for and about employees of University of Minnesota Medical Center, University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital, and surrounding clinics. The article, "A leading-edge approach: Special stem cell treatment helped her beat the odds," describes the successful treatment of Sydney Scott, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia when she was 13 weeks old and was the first to received mesenchymal stem cells along with a cord blood transplant through a clinical trial offered by Wagner and Weigel. In the same issue it was reported that Margaret MacMillan, M.D., member of the Transplant Biology and Therapy Program, was interviewed for an article in the Whittier Daily News that featured a bone marrow transplant patient from California treated at the children's hospital for Fanconi anemia. In addition, it was reported that Selwyn Vickers, M.D., was quoted in the January 11 Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal about the Minnesota Pancreas and Liver Center. A front page story about the center was also featured in January's MD News.

Minnesota Pancreas and Liver Center Web site launched
The Minnesota Pancreas and Liver Center (MPLC) Web site is now live. The center brings together a unique team of experts who are known worldwide for their expertise in diagnosing and treating diseases of the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.

Saluja awarded grant
Ashok Saluja, Ph.D., member of the Tumor Biology and Therapy Program, was awarded $35,000 by the Hirshberg Foundation to study the role of heat shock proteins in pancreatic cancer.

Huismann to present poster at SPA symposium
Rick Huismann, Cancer Center Accounting, was selected to present a poster at the Sponsored Projects Symposium February 13 at the McNamara Alumni Center. The symposium is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research, Sponsored Projects Administration, and Oversight, Analysis and Reporting. Huismann's poster explains the details, definitions, and exceptions related to the Air Travel Federal requirement (known as the Fly America Act), which requires domestic grantees to use "U.S. flag air carriers" when using federal funds to travel internationally. View the poster (PDF) (click zoom-in tool for larger display).

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Education and Events

Cancer Biology Journal Club
Wednesday, February 13, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 2-120 Moos Tower
Ashish Kumar, M.D., Ph.D., will discuss "Initiating and cancer-propagating cells in TEL-AML1-associated childhood leukemia," Science 2008; 319:336-339.

The Cancer Biology Journal Club is held every Wednesday. For more information contact Sonja Johnson (john4368@umn.edu) or Rachel Bergerson (sapl0005@umn.edu).

Valentine Sale at Innsbruck Jewelers
Wednesday, February 13, 2008, 6-8 p.m., 2030 Silver Lake Road N.W., New Brighton
In this sale benefitting cancer research and patient care, enjoy a 30 percent discount on most of the jewelry in the Innsbruck Jewelers store. Twenty-five percent of the sale profits will go to the Cancer Benefit Fund, a volunteer organization that raises funds for research at the Masonic Cancer Center and for HealthEast cancer care programs.

Special Seminar:
Germ cells in development and disease
Thursday, February 14, 2008, 12 p.m., 2-101 Hasselmo Hall
James Amatruda, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Molecular Biology and Internal Medicine, Horchow Family Endowed Scholar in Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
Dr. Amatruda is a faculty candidate in cancer genetics, a recruitment jointly sponsored by the Masonic Cancer Center and the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development.

Cancer and the Human Body exhibit
Saturday, February 23, 1-4 p.m., Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul
The Masonic Cancer Center's eighth annual Cancer and the Human Body event at the Science Museum of Minnesota will include hands-on exhibits where visitors of all ages can learn about cancer and the research being done to understand the disease. Visitors will learn what normal cells look like compared to cancer cells; what cancer looks like in the body; and the importance of sun safety in preventing skin cancer. For more information, contact Sandra Rivera, river039@umn.edu, 612-625-4441.

KS95 for Kids® Radiothon
March 6-8, 2008, Southdale Center, Edina
A 60-hour radio broadcast on 94.5 KS95-FM, KS95 for Kids benefits both Children's Cancer Research Fund and Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare. A variety of current and past patients are featured during the broadcast. KS95 for Kids will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2008. To donate and/or volunteer visit KS95 for Kids.

Time to Fly™ Walk/Run registration open
Saturday, June 28, 2008, Harriet Island Regional Park, St. Paul
Time to Fly is a family-friendly walk/run event perfect for everyone from the competitive runner to the recreational participant. Set along the banks of the beautiful Mississippi River, Time to Fly race events include: 10K run, 5K run, 5K walk, and a kids' fun run. The day also features live entertainment, performance t-shirts, event bags, complimentary food and beverages, an abundance of kids' activities, and inspirational stories by families with children affected by cancer. Awards are presented to top race finishers in eight age categories, as well as the top corporate, community, and individual fundraisers through a competitive online pledge program. The 6th annual Time to Fly will be held in conjunction with the Picnic of Hope.

Plan to form a team. For additional information visit the Children's Cancer Research Fund Web site.

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Cancer Center Program Meetings

Cancer Epidemiology Interest Group
Friday, February 15, 2008, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., A-110 Mayo
Immunogenetics and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma risk and prognosis
James R. Cerhan, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Epidemiology, Mayo Clinic

Please RSVP to Logan Spector (spector@umn.edu, 612-624-3912) by 4 p.m., Wednesday, February 13 to reserve a lunch and indicate if you require a vegetarian selection.

The next meeting of the Cancer Epidemiology Interest Group will be held on Thursday, March 20 due to the University holiday on Friday.

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

Cancer Biology Research Club
Friday, February 15, 2008
Meeting canceled due to Graduate School recruiting activities.

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

BMT Conference
Monday, February 18, 2008
No conference due to BMT tandem meetings.

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

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Funding News and Opportunities

2008 AHC Faculty Seed Grant Program
Academic Health Center
Deadline: April 4,2008
Funding: $25,000 for 1 year.
15 awards will be funded with a maximum of $25,000 per project. These grants are designed to support new areas of research and to help develop innovative projects that will allow faculty to expand their research. Proposals from all areas of research within the AHC are welcome.

2008 AHC Translational Research Grant Program
Academic Health Center
Deadline: May 16, 2008
Funding: Maximum of $200,000 over two to three years
Three new grants will be funded in the amount of $200,000 or less (over two to three years). These grants are designed to move concepts developed at this institution from basic work to clinical testing. Proposals require a pairing of at least two co-investigators, either a basic scientist with a translational researcher or a translational researcher with a clinical researcher. AHC faculty members with an N, P, I, J, or K appointment and employment through the University are eligible.

Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program
Department of Defense
Deadline: Varies. See specific announcement. Pre-applications due beginning March 2008.
Funding: Various totals and durations. See specific announcement.
The DoD Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) has received $138 million for fiscal year 2008. On February 6, 2008 the BCRP has released eight Program Announcements describing funding mechanisms for 2008. The 7 eligible funding mechanisms are as follows: Clinical Translational Research Awards, Era of Hope Postdoctoral Awards, Era of Hope Scholar Awards, Innovator Awards, Idea Awards, Impact Awards, and Synergistic Idea Awards. Please refer to this pdf for a synopsis of all announcements.

Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program
Department of Defense
Deadline: Details on deadlines will be available in Feb. and March as the various Program Announcements are released.
Funding: Various totals and durations. See specific announcement.
The DoD Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP) has received $80 million for fiscal year 2008. The FY08 PCRP program announcements for proposals in the following mechanisms are anticipated to be posted and available on Grants.gov between January and February, 2008. The various eligible programs are as follows: Health Disparity Research Award, Health Disparity Training Award, Clinical Consortium Award, Clinical Trial Award, Laboratory—Clinical Transition: Stage I Award, Idea Development Award, Synergistic Idea Development Award, New Investigator Award, Physician Research Training Award, and the Prostate Cancer Training Award. Please visit the Web site for more information about each funding mechanism and updates on deadlines.

Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program
Department of Defense
Deadline: Details on deadlines will be available in Feb. and March as the various Program Announcements are released.
Funding: Various totals and durations. See specific announcement.
The DoD Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) has received $10 million for fiscal year 2008. The FY08 OCRP Program Announcements for proposals in the following mechanisms are anticipated to be posted and available on Grants.gov in February 2008. The various eligible funding mechanisms are as follows: Idea Development Award, Translational Partnership Award, Career Development Award, and the Consortium Development Award. Please click on the link for more information about each funding mechanism and updates on deadlines.

Visit the Funding News & Opportunities Web page to see listings previously published in Update.

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