Update is sent to Masonic Cancer Center members and staff every Tuesday at 10 a.m. Please submit items for the July 29 issue to Gina Kennedy, kenne069@umn.edu, by noon the previous Friday.

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In This Issue

 

News

Education and Events

Program Meetings

Funding News and Opportunities

 

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News

Members in the news

Julie Ross, Ph.D., member of the Prevention and Etiology and Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention programs, was featured in articles in the Pioneer Press and Star Tribune regarding the $30 million yearly funding passed by Congress for children's cancer research. It includes $1 million to support a national database developed largely by the University of Minnesota.

David Rothenberger, M.D., Masonic Cancer Center's associate director for clinical affairs, was interviewed on Fox News July 14 about the finding that colorectal cancer screening rates are still too low.

Ashish Kumar, M.D., Ph.D., Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer Program member, was interviewed in a July 14 report on Fox News about a Minneapolis girl with a puzzling illness involving severe eczema, intractable abdominal pain, bruising, and multiple allergies. Kumar helped the family understand the complex problem and coordinate the girl's care, which involved intensive therapy for eczema at National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver.

Verneris receives $720,000 ACS grant to study natural killer cells
Michael Verneris, M.D., Transplant Biology and Therapy Program member, has received a $720,000 grant from the American Cancer Society to investigate new strategies that reduce the chances of leukemia recurrence after a patient receives a bone marrow transplant. Read more.

New member
Rachel L. Isaksson, M.S.
Research Fellow, Department of Biostatistics
Research statistician, Masonic Cancer Center Biostatistics and Informatics Core

Participation in events supporting cancer research
Golf tournaments, bike rides, walks, and runs are among the many events being organized to raise funds for cancer research. We publicize these in Update and on our Web site, and we encourage Masonic Cancer Center members and staff to participate or volunteer at one or more of these events. And please let us know if you took part in an event so we can share the news.

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Education and Events

Fight Back Express
Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 7-8 p.m., Schulze Family American Cancer Society Twin Cities Hope Lodge, 2500 University Ave., S.E., Minneapolis
Masonic Cancer Center members and staff are invited to be part of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network's Fight Back Express. People at the event will be able to sign the Fight Back Express bus, which is part of a cross-country campaign to maintain cancer as a top national priority. The signatures will be sent to Washington, D.C., to show legislators the grassroots support for funding cancer research, treatment, and education. Speakers at the event will include state Sen. Lawrence Pogemiller, majority leader; Rep. Paul Thissen, chair, House Health and Human Services Committee; and former Star Tribune columnist Jim Klobuchar, who is a cancer survivor. For more information, visit the Web site.

19th Annual Twin City Polo Classic
Sunday, August 3, 2008, Twin City Polo Club, Maple Plain, Minn.
The Twin City Polo Classic will feature activities for all in attendance, from the traditional divot stomp, to a horse parade, to musical entertainment in the family activity area. Attendees will enjoy a riveting exhibition match followed by the excitement of a full-length match. Caterers will enhance the experience by offering fare ranging from scrumptious to exquisite. This is the first year all proceeds from the event will benefit Children's Cancer Research Fund, whose support enables the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota to continue its pioneering efforts in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of childhood cancers. For more information, or to purchase individual tickets, visit www.TwinCityPoloClassic.com.

Nancy C. Hanson Legacy Golf Tournament
Sunday, August 10, 2008, 1-9 p.m., Oak Glen Golf Course, 1599 McKusick Road, Stillwater, Minn.
The Nancy C. Hanson Legacy Golf Tournament benefits the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Registration is $135 for 18 holes of golf and dinner, entertainment and a silent auction. Don't golf? You can still join the fun by attending the dinner in the evening. Register for this event.

Macy's Glamorama
Friday, August 15, 2008, Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis.
Macy's Glamorama 2008 is heading back to the '80s with an arcade of eye candy couture and modern sounds. Headlined by the chart-topping '80s superstar Cyndi Lauper and late '80s hip-hop sensation MC Hammer, Macy's fashion spectacular will rock the runway in true '80s style, once again supporting Children's Cancer Research Fund (CCRF). Topping this year's list of designers are Varvatos USA, Michael Kors, Marc by Marc Jacobs, BCBG Runway, Donna Karan and Just Cavalli. All proceeds benefit CCRF, whose support enables the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota to continue its pioneering efforts in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of childhood cancers. More information and tickets are available on the CCRF Web site.

Silent No More 5K Walk/Run for Ovarian Cancer
Saturday, September 13, 2008, Rosland Park, Edina
The Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance (MOCA) Silent No More 5K Walk/Run for Ovarian Cancer raises funds for ovarian cancer research, education, and support for women with ovarian cancer and their families. In just eight years, MOCA has awarded more than $2 million for ovarian cancer research in Minnesota, thanks in large part to the success of the Silent No More event. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.; a survivor photo will be taken at 8:30 a.m.; 5K run begins at 9 a.m.; 2K walk begins at 9:30 a.m.; and a Kids Fun Run begins at 10 a.m. For more information or to register, call 612-822-0500 or visit the Web site.

Cannon Valley Cancer Ride
Saturday, September 20, 2008, Riverside Park, Cannon Falls, Minn.
The Cannon Valley Cancer Ride is a fun, family-oriented 20-mile bike ride on the scenic Cannon Valley Trail. The event is organized by Red Wing Masonic Lodge and Cannon Falls Oriental Lodge to raise money for the Partners for Life Campaign, which was established by the Grand Lodge of Minnesota to help raise funds for the Masonic Cancer Center. Through the help of Minnesota Masonic Charities, every dollar raised from the Cannon Valley Cancer Ride will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

The ride starts in Riverside Park in Cannon Falls and goes to Welch and back. The registration fee is $35 for riders 12 and older and $20 for riders under 12, and includes lunch and a t-shirt. Same-day registration is $30 for riders 12 and older and $15 for riders under 12, and includes lunch, but no t-shirt. Registration and t-shirt handout will start at 8 a.m.; the ride will start at 9 a.m. Visit the Web site for more information and a registration form.

Hormel Institute Symposium "Frontiers in Cancer Research" and the 8th International Skin Carcinogenesis Conference
October 4-7, 2008, Austin, MN
The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota is hosting a three-day conference in Austin, Minn., as part of the grand opening to celebrate its major expansion. The goal of this joint conference is to provide a scientifically driven symposium involving didactic sessions and facilitating discussions regarding molecular and cellular targets of cancer causation and prevention, and to provide a forum for exchange of the most recent and relevant information on the biological, cellular, and molecular changes that occur during tumor development. Newer technologies such as computer modeling of protein/protein interactions and small-molecular/protein interactions will also be highlighted, and a substantial translational focus will be included. Conference chairs are Zigang Dong, M.D., Dr. P.H., professor and executive director of The Hormel Institute and Susan M. Fischer, Ph.D., professor, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas. Visit the Hormel Institute Web site for more information and to register.

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Program Meetings

Women's Cancer Interest Group
Thursday, July 24, 2008, 10 a.m., 450 CCRB
Ritonavir: From drug to pathways in breast cancer
David Potter, M.D., Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation

 

Funding News and Opportunities

Implementation Planning Grants for Educational, Behavioral, or Social Studies for Translation of Genetic Factors in Common Diseases (U34)
(RFA-DK-08-003)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date: November 25, 2008
Funding: $250,000/yr for 2 years
The proposed research must focus on using findings from genetic studies of common diseases with complex genetic etiology in clinical settings. This FOA will support planning and preliminary or feasibility studies for investigator-initiated, multi-center clinical studies through an implementation planning (U34) grant. The U34 planning grant is designed to: (1) permit early peer review of the rationale for the proposed clinical study; (2) permit assessment of the design/protocol of the proposed study; (3) provide support for the development of a complete study protocol and associated documents including a manual of operations, (4) support the development of other essential elements required for the conduct of a clinical study, and (5) carry out key preliminary or feasibility studies. Completion of the required products of a U34 grant is a prerequisite for submission of a multi-center clinical study cooperative agreement (U01) application, which will support the actual conduct of the study.

Translation of Common Disease Genetics into Clinical Applications (R21)
(RFA-DK-08-004)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date: November 25, 2008
Funding: $250,000/yr for 2 years
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases solicits Exploratory/Developmental Clinical Research Grant (R21) applications from institutions/ organizations that propose a) clinical studies using information from genome wide association or other genetic studies in common diseases; b) development and assessment of diagnostic, clinical trial, epidemiologic and risk analytic tools for use in clinical research or practice; and c) cost-effectiveness studies of clinical applications of genetic information. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: development of diagnostic or other risk factor algorithms that incorporate genetic data; pilot interventional studies using findings from genetic studies of common diseases or outcomes related to genetic testing for variants identified in common diseases; pilot research on clinical modification of environmental factors known to interact with specific genes variants identified in common diseases; and cost effectiveness studies. The proposed research must focus on using findings from genetic studies of common diseases with complex genetic etiology in clinical or public health settings.

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

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