Case Comprehensive Cancer Center: Weekly Newsletter

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July 5, 2011
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Case CCC Annual Scientific Retreat Dear Cancer Center Members: It's hard to believe the Cancer Center annual scientific retreat is almost here. We hope all of you are able to join us July 8-9 at Corporate College East, only about 10 miles from University Circle. If you have not yet registered, please do so by contacting Gillian Todd. Though a large portion of this year's retreat will focus on strategic planning for the CCSG submission, the agenda is well-balanced by sessions that span a variety of topics. Friday's agenda will include the Director's Overview, Program Meetings and updates, and highlights of great science in Tumor Microenvironment, Cancer Cellular Dynamics, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, and Targeted Cancer Therapies. Saturday's session has more of a clinical focus, but all members will benefit from the presentations on translational opportunities in cancer center clinical programs, a discussion on the availability of tissue from the national cooperative groups, and funding opportunities for early phase trials. The final session of the day will discuss clinicopathologic databases, home grown drugs, and technology commercialization. Basic science core directors will be present during the Friday evening social hour to answer any questions you have about how their facilities can aid your research. Come early Saturday to have breakfast and engage with the core directors at the continuation of the core facility poster session. We are pleased to have 66 fellows, trainees and postdocs presenting their research during the Friday evening judged poster session. Those fellows, trainees and students are encouraged to attend the career-development session, "Secrets to Success: A Forum for Trainees in Various Stages of Career Development". This panel-based session that will take place during lunch while the Cancer Center Programs have their strategic planning meetings. Please encourage your trainees to come prepared with questions for the panelists. As always, thank you for your continued commitment to the Cancer Center. I look forward to seeing you on July 8-9! Stan Gerson, MD Director, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center * * * * * * * * Contact Gillian Todd to register. The Cancer Center has a block of rooms for a reduced rate at the Marriott Cleveland East, which is across from Corporate College East. Click here to reserve a room at your own expense of $114 per night. MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Jaroslaw Maciejewski, MD, PhD Appointed Associate Director for the Lerner Research Institute Stan Gerson, MD, Director of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jaroslaw Maciejewski, MD, PhD as Associate Director for the Lerner Research Institute. Dr. Maciejewski will join the senior leaders of the Cancer Center coordinating the overall cancer research effort of the members of the Cancer Center who are faculty at CWRU, University Hospitals, and Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Maciejewski brings a wealth of experience to his current position. He is Staff Physician in the Cleveland Clinic Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders, and Professor of Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. He has served as Chairman of the Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research at the Taussig Cancer Institute since 2009. His clinical areas of expertise include bone marrow failure syndromes (including aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, large granular lymphocyte leukemia, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria), and myeloid malignancies. His research deals with the molecular pathogenesis of these disorders and deals with various specific aspects of stem cell biology, genetics, cytogenetics and immunobiology. He has developed multiple whole genome scanning technologies for laboratory and diagnostic use, including SNP-arrays, methylation arrays and viral chips. Read more CASE CCC IN THE NEWS Analysis: Life Saving Lung Cancer Test to Set Off Cost Debate Reuters - Bill Berkrot - Jun 30, 2011 "With this large a study that was so carefully done, it becomes the gold standard and it should become practice," said Dr. Stan Gerson, director of the Seidman Cancer Center at the University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland. ... Rethinking Melanoma and Preventing Skin Cancer: NetWellness Plain Dealer - Jun 30, 2011 This week's NetWellness column is authored by Dr. Meg R. Gerstenblith, assistant professor, Dermatology Department, Case Western Reserve University. Exposure to ultraviolet light has long been considered a risk factor for developing melanoma. ... Avastin for Breast Cancer: FDA Answer Is Still No Medscape - Jun 30, 2011 Committee member Mikkael Sekeres, MD, MS, from the Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, commenting on this last issue, said that there was nothing in the clinical data that "would make me feel ... University Hospitals Case Medical Center Receives $2 Million Gift to Study Cancer Genetics Cleveland Leader - Jun 28, 2011 Dr. Stan Gerson, director of the UH Seidman Cancer Center and Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and professor of medicine and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, said in a statement: "This newly established, state-of-the-art ... Wish Upon A Wedding Cleveland News - Fox 8 - Jun 28, 2011 Doctor CJ Nock said, "these brain tumors are quite aggressive. The average survival is about a year and a half. He's beyond that and our plan is to keep setting records." Each week, Jonathan travels to the Seidman Cancer Center at University Hospitals ... Today's Health: Steady Decline in Cancer Deaths Today's THV - Jun 27, 2011 Dr. Nathan Pennell treats lung cancer patients at Cleveland Clinic. "A lot of the more common cancers the rates have been falling, due to increases in early detection. That's something that I hope will accelerate in lung cancer as well because this ... Shortage of Popular Cancer Drug Grows abcnews.go.com (video)- Jun 22, 2011 UH Case Medical Center's Dr. Neal Meropol comments. Family in Cleveland's West Park Went Surrogacy Route for Child After Woman's Cancer Diagnosis Sun Star Courier - Jun 18, 2011 Cancer treatments, especially breast cancer treatments, can present women with infertility issues, said Halle Moore, MD, an oncologist with the Cleveland Clinic's Taussig Cancer Institute. "There is a special issue with breast cancer," she said. ... ANNOUNCEMENTS Bioinformatics Survey Many researchers in the Case CCC utilize core services for array-based genomics studies and next generation sequencing studies. These data can be challenging to work with, and the Cancer Center is planning on implementing a new core facility, the Bioinformatics Analysis Core, to assist with these services. We ask that you complete a short survey to help us understand how to shape this core to best serve Cancer Center memberships needs. Please contact Kristin Waite with any questions. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Pilot Project Grants: American Cancer Society IRG Awards The Case CCC is currently accepting applications for American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant (IRG) awards. Pilot funding is available for projects in basic, clinical, prevention and control, behavioral, health services, and epidemiology cancer research with awards up to $30,000 for one-year cancer research projects that provide the basis for future independent grants. Instructions, frequently asked questions, and application forms are available at http://cancer.case.edu. Contact Terri Daso, Cancer Center Administration (844-7252, tld6@case.edu) for more information. LOI Deadline: June 13 Application Deadline: July 5, 2011 Case CCC Clinical Trials Funding Opportunity The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center is announcing the availability of Protocol Specific Research Support (PSRS) funding for Year 2011. The budgeted funds are for the conduct of early phase clinical trial and restricted to support research nurses and data managers directly involved in the conduct of these clinical trials. Studies developed jointly between UH and CCF with planned accrual at both institutions will be prioritized. Please direct questions and requests for information about the funding process to Katarzyna Karelus, Administrative Director, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center Clinical Research Office, at (216) 368-6287 or katarzyna.karelus@case.edu. MARK YOUR CALENDARS Gene Vaccination in Cancer Conference The First Ascoli Piceno Conference on Gene Vaccination in Cancer will be held September 15-17 in Ascoli Piceno in the centre of Italy. It will bring together stakeholders from the academic, industrial, and regulatory sectors to address this challenge, share the most current data, and endeavour to work out guidelines for the future of genetic vaccination in the prevention and management of cancer in animals and humans. The meeting will emphasize discussions and interactions among the participants to facilitate innovative thinking and new cooperative studies to accelerate the pre-clinical and clinical application of gene vaccines. Abstracts for consideration for poster presentation can be submitted online. The best abstracts will be selected for oral presentations. A prize will also be awarded for three abstracts presented by scientists aged less than 35. MSC 2011: Innovations in Cell-Based Regenerative Therapies Registration and Abstract Submission for MSC 2011: Innovations in Cell-Based Regenerative Therapies is now open. MSC 2011, which will take place in Cleveland, August 22-24, will offer a forum for the exchange and discussion of research, ideas, and cutting-edge breakthroughs in translational regenerative medicine. NCRM members receive a discounted registration rate. CWRU SOM is a Gold Sponsor and has 20 complimentary student registrations with abstract submission to conference and all social events. To be considered, please send your abstract to Michael Gilkey by July 26. To register online or to download registration materials, visit www.msc2011.net/registration.htm. Please also consider submitting an abstract by July 18 for poster presentation, some will be included in speaking roles during the conference.	EVENTS *All events are open to anyone interested in attending July 4 Happy Independence Day!* July 5 July 6 July 7 July 8 Hematology/Oncology Fellows Seminar will resume July 15. Cancer Center Research in Progress Seminar will resume September 2. Case CCC Annual Scientific Retreat Details Pathology Graduate Student Defense Seminar Julie Ann Wolfram Lee/Zhu Lab, Pathology CWRU/UH Topic: Negative Regulation of Type I Interferon Induction in Dendritic Cells 12 pm WRB 5-136 July 9 Case CCC Annual Scientific Retreat Details Case CCC Calendar LRI Calendar UPCOMING CANCER CENTER SYMPOSIUMS & EVENTS Case CCC Annual Scientific Retreat July 8-9 Details ADDITIONAL UPCOMING SEMINARS & EVENTS Cancer Health Disparities Summit 2011 July 13-15 Bethesda North Marriott Hotel in Rockville, Maryland Details MSC 2011: Innovations in Cell-Based Regenerative Therapies August 22-24 Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center Details 8th International Conference of the Society for Integrative Oncology: Innovating Integrative Oncology: New Science, New Solutions November 10-12 InterContinental Hotel Cleveland Details
NCI CANCER BULLETIN June 28, 2011 News Featured Article: New Graphic Tobacco Warning Labels Backed by Research Common Gene Mutation Found in Hairy Cell Leukemia New Cancer Vaccine Shows Promise against Tumors in Mice Researchers Scrutinize Genetic Variants Linked to Melanoma Barrett Esophagus May Progress to Cancer Less Often than Thought Commentary A Conversation with Dr. Martha Linet on Cell Phone Use and Cancer Risk In Depth Imaging Boot Camp for Cancer Researchers Featured Clinical Trial: Adding Targeted Therapy to Treatment for Esophageal Cancer Updates FDA Update Cancer.gov Update Notes
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Society of Surgical Oncology Clinical Investigator Award in Breast Cancer Research Deadline: July 8 Chordoma Foundation Investigator-Initiated Projects LOI Deadline: July 15 Application Deadline: August 15 Hartwell Foundation Individual Biomedical Research Awards Internal Nomination Deadline: July 15 James S. McDonnell Foundation 21st Century Science Initiative 2011 Deadline: July 15 2012 Searle Scholar Program Internal Nomination Deadline: July 25 CTSC Core Utilization Pilot Grants Deadline: August 1 International Myeloma Foundation Brian D. Novis Research Grant program Deadline: August 1 Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Awards 2011 Deadline: August 1 DOD LCRP Early Investigator Synergistic Idea Award Pre-Application (Preproposal) Deadline: August 3 Application Deadline: November 9 DOD LCRP Investigator Initiated Translational Research Award Pre-Application (Preproposal) Deadline: August 3 Application Deadline: November 9 DOD LCRP Promising Clinician Research Award Pre-Application (Preproposal) Deadline: August 3 Application Deadline: November 9 Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation Deadline: August 5	Damon Runyon Fellowship Award Application Deadline: August 15 Uniting Against Lung Cancer 2011 Legacy Program for Advances in Lung Cancer Research Deadline: August 17 AACR Team Science Award Deadline: September 6 Pezcoller Foundation-AACR International Award for Cancer Research Deadline: September 12 Lustgarten Foundation Fall 2011: Basic Research Innovator Awards Concept Proposal Deadline: September 14 Full Application Deadline: October 31 Translational Technology Concept Studies of Circulating Tumor and Endothelial Cells (CTC/CEC) Deadline: Open AACR Scholar-in-Training Awards - Other Conferences and Meetings Deadline: Open International Union Against Cancer (UICC) International Cancer Technology Transfer Fellowships Application Deadline: Open NCI Short-Term Scientist Exchange Program Application Deadline: Open James S. McDonnell Foundation Collaborative Activity Awards Application Deadline: Open

NIH BULLETIN – Notices and Funding Opportunities Notice of Availability of Administrative Supplements to NCI Cancer Health Disparities Awards for Behavioral Strategies to Accrue and Retain Diverse Underserved Populations in HIV-Related Malignancy Clinical Trials (NOT-CA-11-018) Administrative Supplements to Promote Research Collaborations between Hepatocellular Carcinoma Research Laboratories and AIDS Laboratories (NOT-CA-11-015) NCCAM Termination of Participation in F31 Program (NOT-AT-11-004)
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.