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June 8, 2009 |
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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTORThe Case CCC will have a couple of new faces in the upcoming months. Neal Meropol, MD, has been recruited as Associate Director for Clinical Research at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Meropol has an outstanding track record as a clinical and translational investigator and will assume a prominent role at our cancer center. He received his MD from Vanderbilt, was a resident at University Hospitals, CWRU SOM, and a fellow at University of Pennsylvania. He began his academic career at Roswell Park Cancer Institute where he was on faculty with Dr. Derek Raghavan and moved to Fox Chase Cancer Center in 1998 where he pursued his interests in GI malignancies, developmental therapeutics, and patient decision making. Dr. Meropol recently completed a sabbatical at the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Meropol has a national reputation for his contributions in GI malignancies including evaluation of new agents, predictors of response and outcome, and assessment of the economic impact of care. He is also well-recognized for his work in patient decision making and doctor-patient communication, in particular with regard to early phase clinical trials. Through his national leadership roles as Chair of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Developmental Therapeutics committee, Chair of the NCI Colon Cancer Task Force, and Chair-elect of the ASCO Cancer Research Committee, he will be able to facilitate the introduction of local discoveries and ideas to the national stage. He has been honored with a number of awards including teaching awards and honorary lectureships. At the Case CCC, Dr. Meropol will oversee clinical and translational research, working closely with Drs. Afshin Dowlati and John Sweetenham, who remain as Deputy Associate Directors for Clinical Research at their respective institutions. He will also work with Dr. Sweetenham in his role as Director for Clinical Trials to improve efficiencies of protocol development, implementation and monitoring. He and Dr. Sandy Markowitz will work together on the GI Spore initiative. Dr. Meropol will encourage investigator-initiated clinical trials across the cancer center, encourage translational and laboratory correlative studies, and provide a focal point for transdisciplinary research assessing outcomes and population impact of innovative therapies and predictors of treatment response. Dr. Meropol will be a member of the Case CCC Senior Leaders group, helping to shape the priorities and developing strategies for allocation of the considerable resources available to the center. He will also have a position in the Department of Medicine at UHCMC, as Section Chief for Medical Oncology and within the Ireland Cancer Center as Associate Director for Clinical Programs. Dr. Meropol will be on campus as of early July. He will attend our upcoming cancer center retreat, where he will deliver introductory comments. If you would like to contact him prior to his arrival, please use his email: neal.meropol@fccc.edu. I would also like to welcome Mitchell Machtay, MD, who has been appointed as Chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology at CWRU SOM and University Hospitals Case Medical Center. Dr. Machtay comes to Cleveland from the Bodine Center for Cancer Treatment at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, where he served as the Walter J. Curran Jr. Professor and Vice Chair of Radiation Oncology. Dr. Machtay will also be present at the July cancer center retreat, and will make a presentation about radiation oncology developmental therapeutics. To read more about Dr. Machtay and his recent appointment, please click here. Please join me in welcoming Drs. Meropol and Machtay to our cancer center community. Dr. Stan Gerson CASE CCC IN THE NEWSASCO: Investigational Drug Active in Advanced Kidney Cancer UH, Clinic doctors find good results in treating throat cancer KUDOS– Dr. Cheng-Kui Qu Paper Published in Nature Cell BiologyCongratulations to Dr. Cheng-Kui Qu, whose paper, "Deficiency of MIP/MTMR14 phosphatase induces a muscle disorder by disrupting Ca2+ homeostasis" was published in the June 2009 issue of Nature Cell Biology. In this paper, the investigators report identification and functional characterization of a novel phosphatase MIP. Dr. Qu's primary research interest is cell signaling mechanisms involved in regulating blood cell development. His laboratory has been searching for novel phosphatases essential for normal hematopoietic stem cell function and leukemia stem cell development. Interestingly, they found a new phosphatase that turns out to play an important role in muscle performance. This study was accomplished through multidisciplinary collaborations with Dr. Tom Nosek of Department of Physiology and Biophysics, CWRU, Dr. Marco Brotto at the University of Missouri, and Dr. Hector Valdivia of Department of Physiology, University of Wisconsin. For details, please click here. CALL FOR ABSTRACTS– 2009 Case CCC Breast Cancer RetreatThe Case Comprehensive Cancer Center is planning a one-day Breast Cancer Research Retreat for mid-September, and is inviting all members of the Cancer Center community to attend. This retreat is aimed at bringing together basic scientists and clinicians whose research focus is understanding Breast Cancer, with an intent to: The abstracts that are chosen will be incorporated into the agenda either by giving a short talk or presenting a poster. We look forward to a stimulating and informative retreat. Please contact Retreat Co-Directors, Ruth Keri, PhD or Mark Jackson, PhD with any questions. Please send abstracts by August 1, 2009 via email to: Gillian Irwin. MARK YOUR CALENDARS– Drug Discovery and Developmental Therapeutics RetreatJoin your colleagues on Saturday, June 20 from 8:30 am - 1:00 pm at the Squire Valleevue Farm Sheep Barn for a broad scientific discussion of new drug targets, screening approaches, and examples of successful pathways towards clinical development. Our goal is to develop a more cohesive scientific initiative in drug discovery leading to therapeutic development of new agents and combinations in cancer. The emphasis of the retreat will be on aligning our programmatic strengths in targets, disease-based research, study design and laboratory correlatives, and exploring potential new directions in drug discovery. Please RSVP to gillian.irwin@case.edu as soon as possible. For more information and to view the retreat agenda, please click here. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY– Bone Marrow Failure Hypothesis Development Awards (BMFRP)The FY2009 Bone Marrow Failure Hypothesis Development Awards will support the initial exploration of innovative, untested, novel, and potentially groundbreaking concepts in bone marrow failure research. Results of studies conducted through this award may provide the scientific rational upon which a new hypothesis can be based, or it should provide initial principles of an innovative hypothesis. The award mechanism is not intended to support ongoing work. Scientific peer reviewers will be blinded to the identity of the PI and the PI's institution. The presentation of preliminary data is not required. Clinical trials will not be supported under this award mechanism. Because these awards are designed for preliminary investigations, projects involving human subjects or specimens will not be supported unless they are exempt under 32 CFR 219.101(b) or eligible for expedited review (32 CFR 219.110 or 21 CFR 56.110). Pre-Application Deadline: July 9 For more information, please click here. |
EVENTS**All events are open to anyone interested in attending June 8Research in Progress Seminar cancelled Physiology & Biophysics Seminar June 9Taussig Cancer Institute Core Curriculum Series June 10Grand Rounds Case CCC Faculty Candidate Chalk Talk CSCRM Seminar June 11Taussig Cancer Institute Core Curriculum Series Case CCC Faculty Candidate Chalk Talk TREC Seminar June 12Hematology/ Oncology Fellows Seminar cancelled Taussig Cancer Institute Grand Rounds more UPCOMING CANCER CENTER SYMPOSIUMS & EVENTSOhio Collaborative Conference on Bioinformatics (OCCBIO) Annual Breast Cancer Update: Highlights of the National Meetings Developmental Therapeutics Programs Retreat ASCO Review Case CCC Scientific Retreat 2009 Management of Lung Cancer in the Emphysema Patient: From Surgery to Cyberknife and Beyond Paradigms in Lymphoma Management: A Case Based Approach Case CCC Scientific Series **For more information on these symposiums, please contact Christine Rhoads. ADDITIONAL UPCOMING SEMINARS & EVENTSCenter for Mind-Body Medicine CancerGuides® II 2nd Annual Business Education Course The Business of Regenerative Medicine: From Stem Cells to the Market Place 2009 caBIG® Annual Meeting: Solving Basic and Clinical Research Challenges in Cancer and Beyond ACS Pan Ohio Hope Ride MSC2009: The Regenerative Medicine and Adult Stem Cell Therapy Conference ASCO Breast Cancer Symposium Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Clinical Trials Methodology Workshop |
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITY– Lustgarten FoundationThe Lustgarten Foundation is accepting grant applications to provide funding for research into the biology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pancreatic cancer. The goal of this initiative is to make rapid advances in the battle against pancreatic cancer through a combination of cutting edge technology and novel ideas. Grants must focus on adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Applications will be accepted from individual investigators, as well as collaborating investigators. One-year grants will be awarded in amounts up to $100,000. National and international applications will be accepted. LOI Deadline: July 24 For more information, please click here. NCI CANCER BULLETINNews In Depth MARK YOUR CALENDARS– Prostate Cancer Forum: A Pathway to Support, Education and EmpowermentProstate Cancer Forum: A Pathway to Support, Education and Empowerment, is an all-day forum that will cover a variety of topics, including sexuality, osteoporosis, genetic issues, incontinence, and complementary therapies. All sessions are open to spouses, significant others and family members. This event is scheduled for Saturday, June 20 from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm at Corporate College East, 4400 Richmond Road, Warrensville Heights. Cancer Center members Drs. Edward Cherullo, Jay Ciezki, Douglas Einstein, and Charles Nock are scheduled to present. This program is free, but advance registration is required. For more information, please contact The Gathering Place at 216-595-9546 or info@touchedbycancer.org. This forum is sponsored by Ireland Cancer Center, with additional sponsorship provided by the American Cancer Society, the Cleveland Clinic, the Gathering Place, and the Foundation for Cancer Research and Education. CALL FOR ABSTRACTS– Fanconi Anemia Research FundThe Fanconi Anemia Research Fund has released a Call for Abstracts for the 21st Annual Fanconi Anemia Research Fund Scientific Symposium, schedule for October 1-4, 2009 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront in Baltimore, Maryland. Abstracts may be submitted online at http://www.fanconi.org May 11- June 19. |
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY– Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative (CTSC) Pilot FundsThe Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative (CTSC) announces the July 1, 2009 quarterly competition for pilot funding of up to $10,000 to support activities provided by any of the CTSC Core facilities. This program is being supported by Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland, and MetroHealth Medical Center, and investigators whose primary appointments are based at these sites are eligible for this competition. For details and instructions, click here. Investigators at the Cleveland Clinic have access to internal pilot funds for clinical and translational research through the RPC Program. Please click here for details. Contact Charlotte Bhasin at with any questions about the Cleveland Clinic program. To find out how the CTSC can help you and support research, please contact Carolyn Apperson-Hansen, Director, Research Concierge or Ginny Petrie, Executive Director. CALL FOR PARTICIPATION– Ohio Collaborative Conference on BioinformaticsThe Ohio Bioinformatics Consortium will hold the 4th Annual Ohio Collaborative Conference on Bioinformatics (OCCBIO) on June 15-17 at Case Western Reserve University. The conference provides an interdisciplinary forum for the discussion of methods, research findings, and experiences. An important goal for the conference is to foster long-term collaborative relationships and networking opportunities within the domain of computational approaches to biology that benefit Ohio. Keynote Speakers: Tao Jiang, Presidential Chair Professor, University of California - Riverside Daniel R. Schoenberg, Center for RNA Biology and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, The Ohio State University For more information about this event, please click here. MARK YOUR CALENDARS– ACS Pan Ohio Hope RideThe American Cancer Society's Pan Ohio Hope Ride is a bicycling tour that enables you to take an incredible bicycle journey and to support ACS Hope Lodges and other vital patient services. The Pan Ohio Hope Ride will take cyclists from Cleveland to Cincinnati in a four-day tour through Ohio's scenic countryside from July 30 - August 2. Challenge yourself to hit the road and make the road smoother for those battling cancer. For more information, please click here. |
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PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES |
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Brain Tumor Funders' Collaborative |
DOD PCRP Prostate Cancer Pathology Resource Network Award |
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NIH Bulletin – Notices and Funding OpportunitiesBiomarkers for Early Detection of Hematopoietic Malignancies (R01) (PA-09-197) Biomarkers for Early Detection of Hematopoietic Malignancies (R21) (PA-09-198) Identifying Non-coding RNA Targets for Cancer Early Detection and Prevention (R01) (PA-09-199) Identifying Non-coding RNA Targets for Cancer Early Detection and Prevention (R21) (PA-09-200) Centers of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (CCNEs) (U54) (RFA-CA-09-012) Cancer Nanotechnology Platform Partnerships (U01) (RFA-CA-09-013) Etiology, Prevention, and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (P01) (PAR-08-245) Cancer Nanotechnology Platform Partnerships (U01) (RFA-CA-09-013) |
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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 Hassinger 11100 Euclid Avenue, Wearn 149 Cleveland, Ohio 44106-5065 216-844-1862 phone 216-844-7832 fax janice.hassinger@uhhospitals.org |
HELP US HELP YOU!If you have a new grant, recently won an award, or have other newsworthy items, please let us know so we can publicize them in the newsletter and other media outlets. You deserve the accolades! Send items to gillian.irwin@case.edu. |
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