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May 5, 2008 | |
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY: Multi-Institutional Phase I Trials of Anticancer AgentsOne of the most difficult roadblocks to curing cancer is the time and delay associated with evaluating new cancer treatments. Afshin Dowlati, MD, Director of Early Drug Development at the Ireland Cancer Center at University Hospitals of Cleveland and the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, recently published an international study entitled "Multi-Institutional Phase I Trials of Anticancer Agents" in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (April 20, 2008), assessing the multi-institutional approach taken by many cancer centers evaluating new cancer treatments during clinical trials of these agents. An editorial accompanying the article found the findings of Dowlati et al surprising, and predicted this study will change the approach taken by most centers in the years to come. Contrary to what most would assume as true, Dr. Dowlati's article shows multi-institutional phase I studies as less effective than studies performed at a single institution. Performing such studies at a single institution resulted in faster results and more consistent data than studying the new treatment at multiple institutions simultaneously. When all of the patients on a trial are cared for by a small group of physicians, a more consistent evaluation of the new treatment is possible. "We were somewhat surprised by the clear differences we observed. It reinforces our approach at the Ireland Cancer Center, to emphasize clinical trials in which we take the lead and conduct the evaluation of new treatments in a focused and dedicated manner. In the end this will help patients more than simply adding one or two patients to a study conducted elsewhere," stated Dr. Dowlati. To view the full article text, click here. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY– Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Career Catalyst in Disparities ResearchSusan G. Komen for the Cure is currently accepting applications for Career Catalyst in Disparities Research (CCDR) awards. These awards provide a unique opportunity for scientists in the early stages of their career, particularly scientists from populations affected by disparities in breast cancer outcomes, to achieve research independence. Pre-applications Deadline: June 10 For more information, please click here. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY– Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Post-Baccalaureate Training in Disparities ResearchSusan G. Komen for the Cure has released an RFA for Post-Baccalaureate Training in Disparities Research (PBT-DR) awards. These awards provide an opportunity for individuals early in their education, particularly those from populations affected by disparities in breast cancer outcomes, and encourages them to seek careers focused on understanding and eliminating these disparities. This award provides individual support of $45,000 annually for 3 years for up to three trainees. Training programs provided with these funds are to supply the tools and environment in which students very early in their career can begin to define meaningful career paths focused on addressing disparities in breast cancer. The goal is to empower these students with the analytical, research, scientific, clinical, and public health skills necessary to effectively explore the basis for differences in breast cancer outcomes and to translate research discoveries into clinical and public health practice to eliminate breast cancer disparities. Pre-application Deadline: June 19 For details, click here. NCI CANCER BULLETINFeatured Article Cancer Research Highlights Director's Update: Guest Update by Dr. Lynn Matrisian MARK YOUR CALENDARS– Cancer Health Disparities SummitJuly 14-16 The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) is pleased to present the Cancer Health Disparities Summit 2008, July 14–16, at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, Bethesda, Maryland. The overall theme for this year's Summit is Eliminating Cancer Health Disparities Through Science, Training, and Community. The Cancer Health Disparities 2008 will highlight the science of the programs and grantees funded through the CRCHD. For more information, please click here. MARK YOUR CALENDARS– Ohio Collaborative Conference on BioinformaticsJune 2-4, 2008 The Third Annual Ohio Collaborative Conference on Bioinformatics will be held at the University of Toledo June 2-4. This conference will provide an interdisciplinary forum for discussing approaches, research findings, and experiences regarding computational investigations of biological problems. An important goal of the conference continues to be the fostering of long-term collaborative relationships among informatics and life sciences researchers from academia, government and industry, spanning Ohio and adjacent states. This meeting is not only for experts in bioinformatics, but also for those who make substantial use of bioinformatic tools in their research/development work, or would like to expand such use. For more information, please click here. |
EVENTS**All events are open to anyone interested in attending May 5Cancer Genetics/ Biology Journal Club May 6May 7Grand Rounds May 8Biochemistry Seminar Taussig Cancer Center Core Curriculum Series Neurosciences Seminar Aging-Cancer Research Seminar May 9Hematology/Oncology Fellows Taussig Cancer Center Grand Rounds Cell Biology Seminar Cancer Center Seminar Series/ Blood Club more MARK YOUR CALENDARS:UPCOMING CANCER CENTER SYMPOSIUMS**For more information on these symposiums, please contact Christine Rhoads. Annual Update on Breast Cancer: Highlights of the National Meetings ASCO Review 2008 Head and Neck Conference |
MARK YOUR CALENDARS– ASCO Annual MeetingMay 30 - June 3 The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting is scheduled for May 30- June 3 in Chicago. This meeting is the premier scientific and educational event in oncology, drawing 30,000 attendees worldwide. As a forum for collaboration and communication, the ASCO Annual Meeting brings together oncologists of all disciplines, researchers, nurses, and patient advocates in the fight against cancer. The 2008 Meeting will unite the global oncology community with the common goals of delivering the highest quality patient care and innovating treatment advances. For details, please click here. If anyone is presenting at the Meeting, please let us know. As always, we are happy to publicize any news you have, such as major presentations, publications, awards, etc. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY– Case CCC Request for Pilot Project ApplicationsThe Case CCC is currently accepting applications for a "Multi-Investigator Grant Initiative to Promote the Basic Science Scientific Focus Group Areas of the Cancer Center". Awards of up to $50,000 for 1 year are available. Principal Investigators must be full-time members of the faculty at Case Western Reserve University or Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and members of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. Application Deadline: May 27 To view the RFA, please click here. RFA, Instructions and Cover Sheet are also available on the Cancer Center homepage. CASE CCC 2008 RETREATThe Case CCC 2008 Retreat is scheduled for July 11-12 at Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, Ohio. The 235-acre resort has many features, including an 18-hole golf course, charter fishing on a Lake Erie marina, restaurants, shops, indoor/outdoor pools, exercise room and tennis courts. Nearby is Cedar Point, wineries, the Lake Erie Islands, and Maritime Museums. Details and an agenda will be circulated soon. RACE FOR THE PLACE- Join Our Team!The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center has created a team for the Race for the Place, a fundraiser that benefits The Gathering Place in Beachwood, Ohio. For those of you that are not familiar with the Gathering Place, it is a support center providing programs and services free of charge for individuals and families touched by cancer. Each year, the first Sunday in June (June 1, 2008) is National Cancer Survivors' Day. On this day, The Gathering Place hosts a 5K / 1 Mile event called Race for the Place. This event helps to raise the money that allows The Gathering Place to offer all of their services free of charge. If you want to join the Case CCC team, please click here or email gillian.irwin@case.edu. Family and friends are also welcome to join our team! It really is a great experience for everyone who is involved. If cannot run the race, but would still like to help, please consider making a small donation to sponsor our team. Every little bit helps. To sponsor us, please click here. MARK YOUR CALENDARS– AACR Conference: Cancer EpigeneticsMay 28-31 This AACR special conference on cancer epigenetics will assemble prominent investigators in the field to discuss recent advances in this rapidly moving area. Sessions will review mechanisms and recent advances in whole genome epigenetic analysis of cancer. Several sessions will examine specific clinical applications such as diagnostics and therapeutics, and workshops will discuss practical research and translational issues such as methods of whole genome epigenetic analysis and definition of hypermethylator phenotypes. Ample time has been reserved for discussion, oral presentation of selected submitted abstracts, and late breaking research. This conference will provide a unique forum to review the remarkable progress in this area over the past few years, and provide a glimpse of where the field is moving, with a strong emphasis on translational epigenetics research. For details and registration information, please click here. MARK YOUR CALENDARS–AACR Accelerating Anticancer Agent Development and Validation WorkshopJune 18-20, 2008 This is a postgraduate workshop for clinical and translational investigations focused on strategic planning to develop and validate new anticancer and cancer prevention agents and pathways. This is an intensive and interactive workshop in how to design effective strategies– from clinical trial initiative, to enabling trials, to pivotal efficacy trials– to develop new anticancer and prevention agents, taught by a distinguished faculty from across the academic, industry, consumer, and government (FDA) sectors. For more information, click here. |
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED FUNDING OPPORTUNITIESDOD PCRP Idea Development Award |
NIH Bulletin – Notices and Funding OpportunitiesCommunity Clinical Oncology Program (U10) (RFA-CA-08-015) National Cancer Institute Minority-Based Community Clinical Oncology Program (U10) (RFA-CA-08-016) |
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| Produced by: Gillian Irwin 11100 Euclid Avenue, Wearn 152 Cleveland, Ohio 44106-5065 216-844-8317 phone 216-844-7832 fax gillian.irwin@case.edu Janice Green 11100 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44106-5065 216-844-1862 phone 216-844-7832 fax janice.green@uhhospitals.org |
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