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March 29, 2010 |
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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR– NCI Sponsored Adaptive Design Clinical Trial in Breast CancerThe latest issue of the "NCI Bulletin" features the report, I-SPY2: Breast-cancer Trial Aims to Speed Drugs to the Clinic, on the use of a creative adaptive design for drug evaluation in metastatic breast cancer based on biomarkers of disease. The investigator team is breaking out of the fixed drug randomization design to orient the trial towards the best fit profile of molecular biomarkers. This study will enroll 300 women with advanced breast cancer who will receive novel agents based on their tumor profile. I have discussed with many of you the need to move towards this tumor marker approach to clinical trial and drug evaluation, and the need to develop patient centric studies on this basis. To be successful, we need to develop analytical tools to assess responses and comparisons. The potential is higher response rates, more rapid tests of hypotheses, termination of trials for which the specific relationship between target and drug does not result in responses, and development of databases on tumor markers and tumor responses. This issue should be given consideration by basic, translational and clinical investigators, as well as our biostatisticians! Stan Gerson, MD NCI Cancer BulletinFeatured Article Cancer Research Highlights Guest Director's Update: Dr. Ann O'Mara and Andrea M. Denicoff CASE CCC IN THE NEWSODAC Delays Approval of Omacetaxine to Treat Adult CML CALL FOR APPLICATIONS– Cancer Research Training AwardThe NCI is pleased to request applications from qualified candidates for a Cancer Research Training Award (CRTA). The CRTA provides an outstanding opportunity for an individual with a strong interest in understanding how cancer care and cancer control activities influence patterns of care and trends in cancer, specifically in the fields of cancer screening and the use of biomarkers in population-based research. The CRTA appointment is a one- or two-year position with the Applied Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences of the NCI. This position provides an exciting and unique opportunity to work with leaders in the fields of diet, weight, and physical activity related to cancer and other chronic diseases. The position will allow contact with a large number of scientists representing disciplines of epidemiology, nutritionists, assessment, clinicians, policy researchers, and other cross-cutting arenas of application. The position is opened until filled. For further information, please click here. MESSAGE FROM DR. ERNEST BORDEN– CEC Pilot StudiesAs you are likely aware, the Veridex technology can be applied to the assessment of a population of circulating endothelial cells (CECs). We have now established from our own completed pilot studies a normal range for circulating endothelial cells. About 70% of patients with active cancer have values above this range. This is consistent with the published research data issued by Veridex. The expressed endothelial proteins used to detect these cells are different than those used to detect circulating tumor cells. There are few published research reports yet which have assessed changes after any therapeutic interventions in cancer --- chemotherapy, biologicals, TKI, radiation, or surgery. Or how these change with tumor reduction? Furthermore little or nothing is known about CEC levels in primary disease vs. metastasis --- or metastasis in different locations, e.g. bone vs. liver? And whether the current markers being used, which assess a more mature endothelial cell population, are the correct ones? Finally whether or not a measure of the % of captured endothelial cells is mitotically active would give more information? We still have several opportunities open for pilot study ideas, and I would be willing to discuss your ideas with you via email or phone. We will ultimately require you to submit the following information (limited to 1 page) to John Pellecchia:
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to discuss with John Pellecchia or myself. Final approval to proceed with your pilot study will be granted by Derek Raghavan and myself, and should normally be available within a week of submission. Ernest Borden, MD MARK YOUR CALENDARS– Clinical Development of Stem Cell Therapies: Scientific, Regulatory and Ethical ConsiderationsJoin representatives from academia, industry, and regulatory agencies to analyze the transitional process from discovery and regulatory approval to the therapeutic use of stem cell products at the upcoming symposium, Clinical Development of Stem Cell Therapies: Scientific, Regulatory and Ethical Considerations, April 12-13 in Bethesda, MD. Experts will present specific examples of, and solutions for, issues related to the preclinical, CMC, and clinical stages of development for stem cell products. For more information, please click here. |
EVENTS**All events are open to anyone interested in attending March 29SDIG Meeting March 30Immunology Seminar March 31Grand Rounds CSCRM Lunch and Learn Seminar Pathology Graduate Student Seminar Pathology Dissertation Defense April 1Neurosciences Alumna Seminar April 2Taussig Cancer Institute Grand Rounds canceled Hem/Onc Fellows Seminar Cancer Center Seminar Series/ Blood Club Cancer Center Research in Progress Seminar more UPCOMING CANCER CENTER SYMPOSIUMS & EVENTSWomen's Cancer: Screening and Prevention in 2010 Case CCC Scientific Retreat ADDITIONAL UPCOMING SEMINARS & EVENTSMidwest Tissue Engineering Consortium (M-TEC) Annual Meeting AACR 101st Annual Meeting Midwest Blood Club Symposium CTTE 2010 Short Course: "Cell-Based Therapies & Tissue Engineering" Business Education Course: "The Business of Regenerative Medicine: From Stem Cells to the Market Place" Advanced Training Institute on Health Behavior Theory |
MARK YOUR CALENDARS– Women's Cancer: Screening and Prevention in 2010Registration is open for the Case CCC Symposium, Women's Cancer: Screening and Prevention in 2010, May 7 at the Hilton Cleveland East in Beachwood. Course Overview: Early detection of cancer saves lives. Controversy exists regarding guidelines for cancer screening in women. Mammograms are not consistently obtained and women do not participate in colon cancer screening as frequently as men. Educating practitioners to the benefits of breast, cervical, endometrial, and colorectal cancer screening could help promote health practices. The indications for genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility will be discussed. While practitioners generally understand the harms and benefits of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy, the specific outcomes with respect to breast and uterine cancer merit further exploration. Discussion of health choices (weight-reduction surgery, prophylactic mastectomy, smoking cessation) and their role in cancer prevention will aid practitioners in guiding patients. Click here to register and view the brochure. CME credits are available. |
FACULTY CANDIDATE SEARCH– Associate Director for Basic ResearchThe Case CCC is currently accepting applications for the position of Associate Director for Basic Research. As we continue our search, we ask that people in the Cancer Center community encourage any qualified candidate to apply for the position. If you would like to nominate someone for the position, please contact Tracy Rehl (tracy.rehl@case.edu). Click here to view the job description. CASE CCC ON FACEBOOK AND LINKEDIN– Join Us!We are always trying to foster communication and collaboration across the cancer center community any way that we can. The Case CCC has set up a page on Facebook and LinkedIn, so please become a fan of us on Facebook or join our group on LinkedIn, and encourage others to do so as well. Please help us spread the word. We encourage you to post events, relevant news articles, items of discussion, etc… Your feedback is appreciated! |
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED OPPORTUNITIES |
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DOD Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP) Exploration–Hypothesis Development Award |
DOD PCRP Physician Research Training Award |
NIH Bulletin – Notices and Funding OpportunitiesDiet Composition and Energy Balance (R01) (PA-10-152) Paul Calabresi Career Development Award for Clinical Oncology (K12) (PAR-10-155) |
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| Produced by: Gillian Irwin Todd 11100 Euclid Avenue, Wearn 149 Cleveland, Ohio 44106-5065 216-844-8317 phone 216-844-7832 fax gillian.irwin@case.edu |
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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