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2006

December

Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., was quoted in the Palm Beach Post about nicotine vaccine and its use in helping smokers quit cigarettes.

Daniel Mulrooney, M.D., was quoted in a number of media reports about the study he led on "Twenty years of follow-up among survivors of childhood and young adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML)" and presented at the annual ASH meeting last week. Some of the media reports included Science Daily, MedPage Daily, Atlanta Journal Constitution; The Ledger, Lakeland, Fla.; Forbes; American-Statesman, Austin, Tex.; Washington Post; WCCO Radio; WebMD, and TV reports in New York, Pennsylvania, Arizona, North Carolina, and Indiana.

Mulrooney is also profiled in the December issue of Accelerate, the monthly newsletter of the Academic Health Center's Office of Clinical Research. He is a scholar in CAPS, Career Advancement Program for Clinical Research Scholars, an NIH-funded K12 program which provides support for 75% protected time for research. The newsletter reports that Mulrooney "hopes to study and increase understanding of the effects of cancer therapy on the vascular system, thus leading to improved preventive measures and early intervention for these patients."

Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., was quoted in various news reports about her study on compensatory smoking (Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, December issue), including United Press International, Science Daily, Cancer Research UK, and Medical Breakthroughs. She also was quoted in a Minnesota Daily article about a new chewing tobacco product.

November

The latest issue of the Academic Health Center's Pictures of Health features cancer and quotes Cancer Center members Levi Downs, M.D.; David Largaespada, Ph.D.; Mimi Yu, Ph.D.; Tim Church, Ph.D.; Michael Garwood, Ph.D.; Patrick Bolan, Ph.D.; and Jeffrey Miller, M.D.

Sharon Murphy, Ph.D., was featured in a WCCO-TV report about U student Katie N. Lee, who was named a 2007 Rhodes Scholar. Lee, an honors senior majoring in biochemistry and chemistry, was also offered a prestigious Marshall Scholarship. Lee is currently conducting research for her summa thesis in Murphy's lab. Lee's project concerns the role of a group of enzymes known as cytochrome P450s in the metabolism of nicotine and carcinogens found in tobacco products. For more information, read the University of Minnesota news release.

Kristin Anderson, Ph.D., describes the risk factors of pancreatic cancer for the "University of Minnesota Moment" radio feature for the week of November 27. The series, which is produced by University News Service, is available to Minnesota radio stations for free. To listen to the segment, visit the Web site.

Irina Vlasova M.D., Ph.D., was quoted in the Fall 2006 issue of the Lymphoma Research Foundation's newsletter Lymphoma Today about her research fellowship award from the LRF. Visit the foundation Web site to read the article. Vlasova is a research associate in the Department of Microbiology who studies the stability of messenger RNA in normal and malignant T cells. She recently gave a presentation at the joint meeting of the Radiation Research Society and the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology Nov. 4-9. In her presentation, "Coordinate regulation of short-lived mRNA transcripts following exposure of human T lymphocytes to ionizing radiation," Vlasova discussed changes in mRNA turnover after radiation-induced genotoxic injury.

Linda Burns, M.D., Daniel Vallera, Ph.D., and Brenda Weigel, M.D., are featured in the article, "Bench to Bedside: Pioneering Treatment for Leukemia," in the November issue of Accelerate, the monthly newsletter of the Academic Health Center's Office of Clinical Research.

Linda Carson, M.D., wrote an article about how surgery followed by IV/IP therapy greatly improves survival for women with advanced ovarian cancer in the November issue of Minnesota Health Care News.

Stephen Ekker, Ph.D., was quoted in an article about nanobiotechnology in the November issue of Minnesota Medicine.

Anna Masellis, Ph.D., wrote an article for the St. Paul Pioneer Press about being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the experimental treatment she has undergone, and the importance of supporting pancreatic cancer research.

October

Joseph Neglia, M.D., M.P.H., was quoted in news reports by Pioneer Press, Minnesota Public Radio, WCCO Radio, Reuters, HealthDay, Scientific American and other outlets regarding his research that childhood cancer survivors who received radiation have an increased risk of developing brain and spinal column tumors later in life. Read the news release.

Tim Church, Ph.D., was quoted in the Associated Press, New York Times and other media outlets about research from Johns Hopkins that showed prostate cancer is more likely to be life-threatening if the PSA level rose rapidly during the years before diagnosis.

Levi Downs, M.D., wrote an article appearing in the Walker Pilot-Independent about the new vaccine for cervical cancer.

John Wagner, M.D., director of the Department of Pediatrics, Hematology-Oncology and Blood Marrow Transplantation and member of the Cancer Center's Transplant Biology and Therapy Program, was quoted by the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, MSNBC, ABC News, CBS News, FOX News, the Miami Herald, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Pioneer Press, and WCCO about the proposed creation of a national cord blood bank. This article was originally published by the Associated Press and appeared in several other outlets across the country and in Canada.

Brian Van Ness, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development and member of the Cancer Center's Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program, was quoted in the Kansas City Star, Bradenton Herald, Washington Olympian and Belleville News-Democrat about new DNA testing tools that will help veterinarians quickly diagnose sick cats, a process that eventually could lead to better detection and treatment of human diseases. This article was originally published by the Star Tribune and appeared in several outlets across the country.

Robert Kratzke, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Medicine and member of the Cancer Center's Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program, was quoted in the St. Petersburg Times about a study to determine whether metagene analysis can help improve the outcome of early lung cancer patients by identifying those who will need chemotherapy and those who won't. Read more.

Ann Mertens, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics and member of the Cancer Center's Prevention and Etiology Research Program, was quoted in the New York Times, Pioneer Press and on Minnesota Public Radio about a study in the October 12 New England Journal of Medicine on the increased risk of illnesses childhood cancer survivors face later in life. Dr. Mertens co-authored the study. Read more.

Mary Ahrens, Cancer Center member, genetic counselor and clinic coordinator of the University of Minnesota Familial Cancer, was interviewed by NBC-TV in San Diego, WNBC-TV in New York and NBC4-TV in Washington, D.C., about genetic testing for cancer. This article appeared in numerous outlets across the country. Read more.

Margot Cleary, Ph.D., professor at The Hormel Institute and member of the Cancer Center's Prevention and Etiology Program, was interviewed by KAAL-TV and the Austin Daily Herald this week about grant award from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Dr. Cleary's research focuses on links between obesity, weight gain, and post-menopausal breast cancer.

Jim McCarthy, Ph.D., professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and leader of the Cancer Center's Cancer Progression and Metastasis Program, was interviewed on Minnesota Public Radio's All Things Considered on Thursday, Oct. 12 about prostate cancer research at the Mayo Clinic that has discovered a protein that is a potential target in the prevention of cancer. Haojie Huang, Ph.D., who recently joined the faculty of the Cancer Center after holding a faculty position at MayoThe study, was the first author on the study, published in the October 13 issue of Science. Read more.

Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., director of the Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center at the University of Minnesota Cancer Center, was quoted about the nicotine vaccine research and clinical trial she is leading in an October 1 Chicago Tribune story "Can vaccines cure our bad habits." The story was also picked up by the Seattle Times, Baltimore Sun, Arizona Daily Star and other newspapers across the country. Dr. Hatsukami also was quoted with other tobacco researchers from across the country in an article in the Boston Globe on October 8, 2006, about the manufacturing and marketing of potentially reduced exposure products (PREP) and smokeless tobacco.

Stephen Hecht, Ph.D., leader of Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Program, was quoted on Forbes.com regarding a commentary he wrote about another researcher's finding of a potent tobacco carcinogen.

David Potter, M.D., recently recruited breast cancer specialist and new member of the Cancer Center, was quoted in a WCCO-TV news report on inflammatory breast cancer. Visit WCCO's Web site.

Linda Carson, M.D., wrote an article titled "Ovarian cancer treatment: Surgery followed by IV/IP therapy greatly improves survival" in the October issue of Minnesota Physician.

September

The research of Shana Sturla, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and member of the Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention Research Program, was highlighted in the September 18 issue of Chemical and Engineering News, the news magazine of the American Chemical Society. The news story reports on a talk Sturla gave at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Francisco. Sturla reported that her laboratory has uncovered important information about the mechanism by which acylfulvenes—powerful antitumor agents derived from a toxin in the luminescent jack-o'-lantern mushroom—damage DNA in cells that are sensitive to the drug. These compounds are currently being tested in Phase II clinical trials, underscoring the importance of the work of the Sturla lab. For the complete story visit the online version of Chemical and Engineering News.

Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., director of the Tobacco Use Research Center, and Paul Pentel, Ph.D., researcher with the center, were quoted in an article about nicotine vaccine in the September issue of Minnesota Medicine. The article is titled "A shot at quitting: New vaccine is a shot in the arm for smokers trying to quit."

August

Linda Burns, M.D., was quoted in the Delaware News about her recently published study on high-dose therapy and allogeneic stem cell transplant can produce long-term survival in mantle cell lymphoma.

Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., wrote an article in Minnesota Health Care News about nicotine vaccine research to help people stop the use of cigarettes. She also was interviewed last week by the Chicago Tribune for an article on nicotine vaccine.

Robert Kratzke, M.D., was quoted in news reports by St. Paul Pioneer Press, WCCO-TV, KSTP-TV, KARE-TV and Minnesota Public Radio about a study on a new genomic test to predict which lung cancer patients need chemotherapy to live, published in last week's New England Journal of Medicine. The Pioneer Press story was also picked up by newspapers in North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, North Carolina, Georgia, California, Missouri, Kentucky, South Carolina, Minnesota and Illinois, and excerpted by United Press International. Duke University Medical Center researchers led the study; Dr. Kratzke was a co-author. The Cancer Center's communications team coordinated with Duke's communications team to gain media coverage in the Twin Cities market about the study and Dr. Kratzke's involvement. Read more.

Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., wrote an article on "The nicotine vaccine: A shot in the arm for cigarette smokers" in the August issue of Minnesota Health Care News.

Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., was featured in a WCCO-TV Lifeline report on Friday describing her work on a nicotine vaccine to help people quit smoking. The report is available at WCCO's Web site.

July

Ann Bode, Ph.D., associate director and research associate professor, and Yong Yeon Cho, Ph.D., research assistant professor, University of Minnesota Hormel Institute, were interviewed on KAAL TV about the Institute's research finding that histone proteins promote cell suicide and how this discovery may lead to efforts to kill cancer cells and other unwanted tissue.

Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., was quoted in an article about nicotine vaccine research that appeared in the Los Angeles Times, South Florida Sun Sentinel and other newspapers across the country.

John Kersey, M.D., is featured in a story about the first successful bone marrow transplant on the University's web site. Read the full story at the U of M Web site.

John Wagner, M.D., discussed funding of stem cell research on KSTP-TV and in an article in the Pioneer Press.

Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., was interviewed on The Pat Miles Show on WCCO Radio about nicotine vaccine for helping smokers quit cigarettes.

Kola Okuyemi, M.D., appeared in a report about research that shows African American smokers show greater brain activations in smoking cues than Caucasian smokers, aired by TV news stations in Lincoln, Neb; Amarillo, Texas; Erie, Pa.; Nashville, Tenn.; Las Vegas; and Grand Rapids, Mich.

Stephen Hecht, Ph.D., was quoted in Minnesota Health Care News about his recent study on carcinogens from secondhand smoke found in urine of infants.

Ashish Kumar, M.D., Ph.D., was featured in a Green Bay, Wis., TV news report about the development of the first mouse with the gene MLL-AF4 for infant ALL.

Stephen Hecht, Ph.D., Levi Downs, M.D., Beth Virnig, Ph.D., Jasjit Ahluwalia, M.D., James Swift, D.D.S., Nelson Rhodus, D.M.D., and Timothy Weidmann, Ph.D., are featured in the summer 2006 issue of AHC's Pictures of Health.

Ashish Kumar, M.D.,Ph.D., was quoted in news reports by WCCO-TV, WCCO Radio, KDLH Radio-Duluth and KEYC Radio-Mankato about the development of the first mouse model with the MLL-AF4 fusion gene for infant ALL. This research was led by John Kersey, M.D. An article and commentary are published in the current issue of Blood.

Kirsten Ness, Ph.D., was quoted by the Rochester Post Bulletin about the $685,000 grant she received from the American Cancer Society for investigating physical limitations that may result in children who are diagnosed and treated for brain tumors.

June

Dorothy Hatsukami, Ph.D., co-leader of the Cancer Center 's Prevention and Etiology Program and co-director of the Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center , was interviewed about her nicotine vaccine research by a news reporter with a CBS-affiliated TV station in Denver.

Levi Downs, M.D., was quoted in reports by the Star Tribune, Minnesota Public Radio, and WCCO-TV about the recently approved vaccine for cervical cancer.

Jasjit Ahluwalia, M.D., who also is executive director of the University's Office of Clinical Research, was quoted by United Press International and Medical-News.net about research that found African American light smokers are more motivated to quit smoking by completing health education than by using nicotine gum.

Dan Mulrooney, M.D., wrote an article about survivors of childhood cancer for the June issue of Minnesota Health Care News.

Jeff Miller, M.D., was quoted in Nature Biotechnology about research on natural killer cells.

Peter Lee, M.D., Ph.D., wrote a Health Talk and You column on skin cancer that appeared in the Walker Pilot-Independent.

Stephen Hecht, Ph.D., was quoted in the Albuquerque Tribune about his study on cancer-causing chemicals found in urine of infants whose parents smoke.

May

Stephen Hecht, Ph.D., was quoted locally in the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, Minnesota Public Radio and WCCO Radio about a research study he led that found cancer-causing agents in the urine of infants who have parents that smoke. The story also was featured in media throughout the United States and world including CBS News, Fox News, Forbes, WebMD, Mirror in the U.K., Winnipeg Free Press in Canada, Belfast Telegram in Ireland and others. The study was published in the May issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention. Hecht conducted the study in collaboration with Steven Carmella, Ky-Ahn Le, Sharon Murphy, Angela Boettcher, Chap Le, Joseph Koopmeiners, Larry An and Deborah Hennrikus, all with the Cancer Center and Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center.

Ashish Kumar, M.D., was quoted in the Duluth News Tribune about two brothers who were treated for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and x-linked agammaglobulinemia at the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital, Fairview.

Daniel Mulrooney, M.D., was quoted in a story about childhood cancer survivors on WCCO-TV and in the Austin Star-Telegram.

Daniel Mulrooney, M.D., wrote an article about late effects of pediatric cancers, published in the April issue of Minnesota Physician.

April

Joseph Neglia, M.D., spoke to more than 1,000 students and cancer survivors participating in the annual Relay for Life event last Friday evening at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Neglia told the gathering how research has advanced cancer treatment and why fundraising events like Relay for Life are becoming increasingly more important for supporting cancer research projects.

Margaret MacMillan, M.D., is featured with Randy Shaver, KARE-TV sports director and cancer survivor, and with a pediatric cancer survivor, in a public service announcement airing on KARE-TV. They also will soon be seen on billboards throughout the Twin Cities. The goal of both the PSA and the billboards is to create community awareness for the annual Randy Shaver Celebrity Golf Classic for cancer research in June.

Daniel Mulrooney, M.D., moderated the successful Beyond the Cure educational event for childhood cancer survivors held April 8 at the McNamara Alumni Center. About 200 survivors and their family members attended the event, which focused on providing information about late effects issues and concerns that childhood cancer survivors may face as adults. Cancer Center members Joseph Neglia, M.D., and K. Scott Baker, M.D., presented information about research findings; John Kersey, M.D., gave the welcome. Dr. Mulrooney and Nancy Youngren, R.N., led the organization and planning for the event, which was presented by the National Children's Cancer Society in partnership with University of Minnesota Physicians Masonic Cancer Clinic; University of Minnesota Cancer Center; University of Minnesota Children's Hospital, Fairview; University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview; Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota; and Care Partners, in affiliation with the Children's Cancer Research Fund. Local news stories done by Minnesota Public Radio , Minnesota Daily and the Pioneer Press about childhood cancer survivorship, long-term follow-up needs and the educational event were picked up by media nationally.

David Rothenberger, M.D., Peter Lee, M.D., Ph.D., and Joel Slaton, M.D., were quoted in a recent Pioneer Press article on prevention and screening recommendations for colon cancer, skin cancer and prostate cancer.

Robert Madoff, M.D., professor, Department Surgery, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery and member of the Cancer Center's Translational Research Program, wrote a Health Talk & You column on how cancer screening can save lives. It was featured last Friday in the Pilot-Independent.

Doug Yee, M.D., Tickle Family Chair in Breast Cancer Research and director of the Cancer Center 's Breast Cancer Research Program, is featured on the web site of the Office of the Vice-President for Research at the University of Minnesota.

March

Levi Downs, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology and member of the Cancer Center 's Translational Research Program, gave a plenary presentation last Friday at the 2006 Annual Meeting on Women's Cancer. Dr. Downs reported the results from a study he led on the use of chemotherapy plus thalidomide for treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer. Minnesota Public Radio aired a story about his study during the All Things Considered program. The story can be viewed at MPR's web site.

In observance of March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Robert Madoff, M.D., talked about colorectal cancer detection and prevention in a "Minnesota Moment" radio spot produced by the University and distributed to radio stations throughout the state. Dr. Madoff also provided information about colorectal cancer for the March Health Talk & You column, which is produced and distributed by the University to newspapers throughout the state.

David Rothenberger, M.D., was a guest on WCCO-TV's morning show on March 20 to talk about the new book, Complete Guide to Colorectal Cancer. Dr. Rothenberger is one of the editors of this book, recently published by the American Cancer Society.

February

John Kersey, M.D., was quoted in a Star Tribune article and WCCO-TV story about a report issued last Thursday by the American Cancer Society that "for the first time since the government began keeping national death statistics in 1930, the number of cancer deaths in the US has fallen as improvements in diagnosis, therapy and prevention have finally overtaken increases caused by aging and population growth."

January

Chris Pennell, Ph.D., appeared on the annual Fraternal Order of Eagles Telethon on KTTC-TV in Rochester Saturday to accept a donation of $110,000 from the Eagles to the University of Minnesota Cancer Center for research.

Linda Carson, M.D., was featured in a KARE-11 TV news report on IP/IV therapy for treatment of advanced ovarian cancer.

Levi Downs, M.D., appeared on KARE-11 TV's morning show to discuss ovarian cancer and the recent recommendation by NCI that women with advanced ovarian cancer receive a combination of IV and IP chemotherapy after surgery.

Robert Kratzke, M.D., was interviewed by WCCO-TV on Jan. 13 about studies conducted at other cancer facilities on the "Diagnostic accuracy of canine scent detection in early and late stage lung and breast cancers."

The following Cancer Center members were listed in the January 2006 "Top Doctors" issue of Mpls./St. Paul Magazine: George Adams, M.D., Edward Y. Cheng, M.D., Maria K. Hordinsky, M.D., David W. Hunter, M.D., Nigel Key, M.D., Michael A. Maddaus, M.D., Robert D. Madoff, M.D., David Rothenberger, M.D., and Daniel Saltzman, M.D.