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Researchers and Staff
June 2, 2009
Editor’s note: Update will have a biweekly schedule during the summer. Publication dates are: June 9 and 23, July 7 and 21, and August 4 and 18. Please submit items by noon Friday before each publication date.
In This Issue
Funding News and Opportunities
Today's Seminar
Tuesday, June 2, 2009, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Developing immunotherapies for pediatric cancers: progress and challenges
Crystal L. Mackall, M.D., Acting Chief, Pediatric Oncology, Branch Head, Immunology Section, National Cancer Institute
Host: Xianzheng Zhou, M.D., Ph.D.
A peek at the next seminar:
Tuesday, June 9, 2009, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Type-1 polarizing immunotherapy and immuno-prevention of gliomas
Hideho Okada M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery, University of, Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Co-Leader, Brain Tumor Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
Host: John Ohlfest, Ph.D.
For a complete schedule and to watch recorded seminars, visit the Web site.
News
Members in the news
- Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., associate director of cancer prevention and control, was quoted in news reports in the Baltimore Sun and Los Angeles Times about proposed legislation that will give the Food and Drug Administration new authority over tobacco products. The legislation would allow consumers to know what chemicals and additives cigarettes and other tobacco products contain, and empower FDA to restrict harmful ingredients and stop marketing of "light" cigarettes.
- Jian-Min Yuan, Ph.D., Prevention and Etiology Research Program, was quoted in Canada.com about research he led that found people with high concentrations in their urine of a nicotine byproduct called NNAL had a greater risk of developing lung cancer compared to smokers with lower levels. Yuan presented the findings at the recent annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.
- Masonic Cancer Center was listed in an Idaho Mountain Express article as a recipient of donations for leukemia research from the Danny Thompson Celebrity Golf Tournament in Ketchum, Idaho. Tucker LeBien, Ph.D., associate director for basic research, represents the cancer center at the annual event.
- Joe Neglia, M.D., co-leader of the Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship Research Program, was interviewed on WCCO Radio and quoted in various news outlets about the 13-year-old Minnesota boy diagnosed with lymphoma, who attempted to avoid chemotherapy treatment.
- Kristin Anderson, Ph.D., Prevention and Etiology Research Program, was featured in Axcess News regarding her study that consumption of burned and charred meat increases the risk of pancreatic cancer. She presented the findings of this study at the recent annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.
In the journals
The work of Masonic Cancer Center members Yong Yeon Cho, Ph.D., and Zigang Dong, M.D., Dr.Ph., researchers in the Hormel Institute's Cellular and Molecular Biology Group, was featured on the cover of the May 15 issue of Cancer Research. The paper, "A regulatory mechanism for RSK2 NH2-terminal kinase activity," described the natural compound kaempferol, which is highly abundant in green onions. This compound was found to inhibit cancer cell growth by suppressing the activation of an important protein, RSK2, which is found at high levels in cancer cells. Read more.
Cancer researchers present at ASCO meeting
Members of the laboratory of Keith Skubitz, M.D., Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program, are presenting their research at the American Society of Clinical Oncology, May 29-June 2, in Orlando. Presentations include a talk on research from multiple institutions, "Denosumab for the treatment of giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone: Final results from a proof-of-concept, phase 2 study," and a poster, "Correlation of FDG PET-CT with histologic response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for soft tissue sarcomas."
If you or someone from your laboratory gave an oral or poster presentation at the meeting, please e-mail Sandi Sherman, sherm019@umn.edu, with your name, title and/or lab affiliation, your presentation title, and type of presentation (oral or poster).
New members
Timothy D. O'Brien, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Professor, Veterinary Population Medicine
Program areas of focus: Tumor Biology and Progression
Area of scientific interest: Isolation and characterization of cancer stem cells from non-Hodgkin lymphoma; isolation, characterization
Laura A. Snyder, D.V.M., Diplomate A.C.V.P.
Assistant Clinical Professor, Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Program areas of focus: Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer, Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention, Prevention and Etiology
Clinical focus: Hematologic malignancies
Area of scientific interest: Diagnosis of canine and feline cancer and translational research in the area of cancer genetics, with a specific focus on hematologic malignancies that affect both humans and animals.
Stephen M. Wiesner, Ph.D., M.T. (ASCP)
Assistant Professor, Center for Allied Health Programs
Program areas of focus: Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer, Tumor Biology and Progression
Area of scientific interest: Functional testing of genes shown to be overexpressed in high grade glioma utilizing a transposon-based mouse model that allows high throughput screening of candidate genes.
Education and Events
Ice Cream Social
Wednesday, June 2, 2009, 2 p.m., 4th floor atrium, MCRB
Mark your calendars! Ice cream and fixings are $1 at the door.
Herberger's Friends & Family Appreciation Event
June 12-16, 2009, Herberger's Department Stores
Masonic Cancer Center members and staff are invited to shop at a 25 percent discount at area Herberger's stores or online. The Friends & Family coupon (download the coupon) can be redeemed June 12-16, including during the store's Preview and 12-Hour Sale Days June 12 and 13. Herberger's supports the cancer center with its "Charge Against Breast Cancer" program, which supports breast cancer research at the cancer center every time a customer makes a purchase with the Herberger's Rose charge card.
Living with Lynch Syndrome: An Update for Families with HNPCC
June 27, 2009, 10 a.m. -3 p.m., Mayo Clinic, Rochester
This half-day educational program will offer a variety of topics focusing on Lynch syndrome—also known as Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC)—from the biological basis of the condition and psychological impact of a diagnosis to practical health care tips. The program is designed for people living with Lynch syndrome, their family members, and interested health care professionals. Patients and families will be able to expand their knowledge, network with one another, and share their experiences. Anna Leininger, M.S., C.G.C., Minnesota Colorectal Cancer Initiative coordinator and consultant to the Masonic Cancer Center's William C. Bernstein MD Familial Cancer Registry, will be one of the presenters at the program. The program is hosted by Mayo Clinic; organizing sponsors include the William C. Bernstein MD Familial Cancer Registry, HealthEast Cancer Care, and the Colon Cancer Coalition. Cost is $20 per person; $35 per couple; and $50 per family (up to 5 members). For more information or to register, download the brochure, call 507-284-2241, or e-mail canceredprog@mayo.edu.
Visit the Upcoming Events Web page for more event listings.
Visit the Professional Education Web page for more conference and special lecture listings.
Program Meetings
Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program Meeting
Thursday, June 4, 2009, 4:15 p.m., 450 MCRB
Effect of endogenous cytosine methylation on the formation and repair of DNA adducts at CpG dinucleotides
Rebecca Guza, Tretyakova lab
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center Lectures
Friday, June 5, 2009, 12-1 p.m., 450 MCRB
Is it possible to make a cigarette that causes less harm than currently available cigarettes?
Robert Vassallo, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Medicine Clinical Immunology and Immunotherapeutics Program, Mayo Clinic
For a complete schedule, visit the Web site.
Funding News and Opportunities
Bone Marrow Failure Research Program (BMFRP) Exploration-Hypothesis Development Award
Department of Defense
Deadlines: Letter of Intent: July 9, 2009; Application: July 30, 2009
The Program Announcement/Funding Opportunity, including the intent of the award mechanism, eligibility, and submission deadlines, and application instructions and general information is available electronically for downloading from the Grants.gov website, the CDMRP website and the CDMRP eReceipt Website.
In addition, the FY09 BMFRP also plans to offer two additional funding mechanisms, the Idea and Synergistic Idea Awards. The Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities and Application Instructions and General Information for these two award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on the Grants.gov and CDMRP websites in late July or early August of 2009. Please visit http://cdmrp.army.mil for more information.
Visit the Funding News & Opportunities Web page to see listings previously published in Update. Also, a list of organizations that provide funding for cancer research is provided on our Research Funding Resources page.