Update is sent to Masonic 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

Today's Seminar

News

Education and Events

Program Meetings

Funding News and Opportunities

---

Today's Seminar

Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Smoking, adverse sequelae on treatment outcome, and a model for smoking cessation treatment in the oncology setting
Ellen R. Gritz, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Behavioral Science, Olla S. Stribling, Distinguished Chair for Cancer Research, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Host: Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D.

A peek at next week's seminar:
Tuesday, May 27, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 450 CCRB
Alveolar and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma: Different cell or origin, similar therapeutic target
Charles Keller, M.D., Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Host: David Largaespada, Ph.D.

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

Back to top

News

Members in the news
Daniel Mulrooney, M.D., Prevention and Etiology Program member, was quoted in the Star Tribune and the Chicago Sun Times, and was interviewed on WCCO-Radio about his research finding that childhood cancer survivors are at higher risk for serious heart conditions.The story was also covered by Reuters, Bloomberg News, HealthDay News, Associated Press, Pioneer Press, Washington Post, and the Chicago Tribune.

Tim Emory, M.D., Women's Cancer Program member, was quoted in a Mpls.St. Paul Magazine article about the frequency of cancer diagnosis through mammography screening.

Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., co-leader, Prevention and Etiology Program, quoted in a story on the CBS News Web site about the changing demographics of powder cocaine users.

Douglas Yee, M.D., was quoted in an article in the April 25 issue of The Cancer Letter on the recent Minnesota Masonic Charities donation of $65 million to the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota.

Margot Cleary, Ph.D., Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program member at the Hormel Institute, was quoted in a news article in the May issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The article, "Understanding pathways to calorie restriction: A way to prevent cancer," discussed research being conducted in the Cleary lab.

Hormel Institute researcher discovers the starting point of sun-induced skin cancer
According to a new study led by Zigang Dong, M.D., Dr.P.H. , the earliest event in the development of sun-induced skin cancer may have been identified. Researchers found that the point of entry for skin cancer in response to sun exposure is in receptor molecules, molecular "hooks" on the outer surface of cells, that also pull cannabinoid compounds found in marijuana out of the bloodstream. The research appears in the May 15 issue of Cancer Research. Dong is a Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program member and director of the Hormel Institute, a research unit of the University of Minnesota and a collaborative research partner with Mayo Clinic. Read more.

Hormel Institute receives fund to hire researcher
Leaders of the Hormel Institute and the Karl Potach Memorial Golf Tournament fundraiser recently announced their collaborative plans to hire a scientist who will focus exclusively on Wilms Tumor, the cancer that took the life of 4-year-old Karl Potach of Austin in 1997. The research position will be jointly funded by proceeds from the "Karl Tourney" annual golf fundraiser and the Hormel Institute. Read more.

'Charge Against Breast Cancer' supports Masonic Cancer Center research
Herberger's department stores will try to raise $100,000 in one day—Wednesday, May 21—for breast cancer research at the Masonic Cancer Center. Through its "Charge Against Breast Cancer" program, the company will donate 1 percent of each purchase made with a Herberger's charge card on that day to the cancer center. Since 2001, Herberger's has raised $340,000 for breast cancer research at the University of Minnesota.

Colorectal cancer information presented at health fair for Vietnamese
Marva Bohen, R.N., director of outreach and education, presented a poster with information about colorectal cancer at the Vietnamese Community Health and Resource Fair on May 17. The Masonic Cancer Center's booth at the fair offered a handout about colorectal cancer screening that was translated into Vietnamese with the help of Vietnamese Social Services. A Vietnamese translator was available at the booth to facilitate questions and answers.

Shared resources collaborations highlighted at Spring Poster Session and Symposium
The Masonic Cancer Center held its ninth annual Spring Poster Session and Symposium May 15 to recognize the contribution of its shared resources to cancer research. The scientists, staff, and facilities of the cancer center's 10 shared resources supported each of the research projects presented at the event. More than 100 staff, faculty, and students attended the event's oral presentations, and more came to tour the posters displayed throughout the Masonic Cancer Center Research Building. Visit the Web site to view presentations (available later this week) and photos from the event.

Back to top

Education and Events

Center for Drug Design Seminar
This seminar, scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 10:30-11:30 a.m., has been canceled.

Pediatric Cancer and Blood Diseases Conference
Wednesday, May 21, 4 p.m., 450 CCRB
Stem cell homing in the Danio Rerio model
Troy Lund, M.D., Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT Fellow
and
The impact of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation on the quality of life and health status of pediatric adrenoleukodystrophy survivors
Vivian Nnebe, M.D., Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT Fellow

Distinguished Visiting Scholar Series on Health Disparities
Friday, May 23, 2008, 12-1 p.m., 1-450 Moos Tower (video broadcasting to room SMed 263, Duluth campus)
Overview of racial/ethnic health disparities in health status and health care
Sherman James, Ph.D., FAHA, FABMR, Susan B. King Professor, Public Policy Studies, Center for Health Policy, Duke University
Lunch will be provided for the first 50 attendees and no R.S.V.P. is required for this event. For those attending the lecture on the Twin Cities campus, parking validation for the Oak Street Ramp, Washington Avenue Ramp or the East River Road Garage will be provided.

Community events are as follows:
Thursday, May 22, 2008, 12-2 p.m., Halle Q. Brown Community Center, 270 Kent Street, St. Paul
Informal discussion on health disparities in the African American community hosted by Tyrone Terrill, Saint Paul Department of Human Rights and the African American Leadership Council. Lunch will be provided.

Friday, May 23, 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m., Pillsbury House Theater, 3501 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis
Health Disparities: Strategies for Solutions: A Community Breakfast Roundtable

For more information about the Program in Health Disparities Research, visit the Web site or email phdr@umn.edu.

Randy Shaver Celebrity Golf Classic
June 1-2, 2008, Rush Creek Golf Club, Maple Grove
Through its annual Randy Shaver Celebrity Golf Classic tournament, the Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund generously contributes to Masonic Cancer Center researchers each year. In 2007, Wei Chen, M.D., Ph.D., Jonathan D'Cunha, M.D., Ph.D., Arkadiusz Dudek, M.D., Ph.D., Melissa Geller, M.D., John Ohlfest, Ph.D., Daniel Vallera, Ph.D., and John Wagner, M.D., received a combined $232,000 for research in the areas of leukemia/lymphoma, lung cancer, melanoma, ovarian cancer, brain tumors, pancreatic cancer, and stem cell biology, respectively. D'Cunha is featured in a public service announcement with Randy Shaver currently running on KARE 11. For information about the Randy Shaver Celebrity Golf Classic, visit www.randyshavergolf.com.

The Minnesota Chemoprevention Consortium—MC²
Tuesday, June 3, 2008, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Hormel Institute Multimedia Center, 801 16th Ave NE, Austin, Minn.
A tentative agenda is as follows:
11:30-12: Josh Liao, Ph.D.
12:00-12:30: Johnny Lu, Ph.D.
12:30-1:15: Focused discussion on indole-3-carbinol led by Stephen Hecht, Ph.D.
1:15-2: Discussion of processing, Hormel Foods Corp.
2-2:30: Mindy Kurzer, Ph.D.
2:30-3: Tour of new Hormel Institute facilities

Lunch will be provided. Reply to carls307@umn.edu if you plan to attend.

Lymphomathon 5K Walk: "Take a Step, Find a Cure"
June 7, 2008, Lake Nokomis, Minneapolis
The 4th Annual Lymphomathon 5K Walk: "Take a Step, Find a Cure" is sponsored by the Minnesota chapter of the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF). To start a team or learn more about the event, visit www.lymphomathon.org or contact the Minnesota LRF office at 612-968-3757. Brochures are available from Sven Olsen, 754 Cancer Center Research Building.

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.

Back to top

Program Meetings

Tumor Biology and Progression Program meeting
Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 9:15-10:15 a.m., 2-650 Moos Tower
Targeting CK2 for prostate cancer therapy
Khalil Ahmed, Ph.D., Professor, Departments of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Urologic Surgery, and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

Women's Cancer Interest Group seminar
Thursday, May 22, 2008, 10 a.m., 450 CCRB
A possible role for CYP3A4 in cancer progression
Ranjana Mitra, Instructor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program meeting
Thursday, May 22, 2008, 4:15 p.m., 450 CCRB
Development of PEITC as a chemopreventive agent against lung carcinogenesis in smokers
Jian-Min Yuan, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

BMT Conference
Monday, May 26, 2008, 1:15-2:15 p.m., 450 CCRB
No conference due to holiday.

For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.

Back to top

Funding News and Opportunities

No new funding announcements were submitted this week.

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

Back to top