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Today to June 15
The Massey Challenge: Official Charity of the Ukrops Monument Avenue 10k. Join the Challenge.
10k race day: March 27
More info: Ashley Burton, (804) 828-0883
Sat., April 17
Sat., June 11
Moonlight Magic
James River Cellars
More info: Mercer Taylor, (804) 828-1451
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 Join us for Radiation Oncology's Open House |
Massey's Department of Radiation Oncology is hosting an open house for the public this Saturday, March 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Come meet the regions's most experienced radiation oncology team and learn about our advanced treatment methods and safety standards.
The open house will be held at the VCU Medical Center's North Hospital (basement level) on the MCV Campus in downtown Richmond. Come and be amazed. For information, call 804-828-8573.
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Sign-up for the Massey Challenge
1. Visit the Challenge site.
2. Select the "Register Now" button.
3. Answer the questions.
4. Customize your personal website.
5. Email the link to your page to your friends, family and coworkers and ask them to support you.
To Start a Team
1. Visit the Challenge site.
2. Select the "Register Now" button.
3. Select "Start a Team."
4. Answer the questions.
5. Upload your pictures or logos to your team page and personal page.
6. Email the link to your page to your friends, family and coworkers and ask them to support you.
If you have any questions please call 804-828-0883. |
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| Volume 3, Issue 3 |
March, 2010
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New strategy for killing leukemia and multiple myeloma cells |
A Massey team has determined the interactions between two molecularly targeted agents that promote apoptosis (programmed cell death) in human leukemia and multiple myeloma cells. The interaction between the agents delivers a one-two punch: histone deacetylase inhibitors increase the levels of a pro-death molecule known as Bim in human leukemia and multiple myeloma cells. In turn, increased levels of Bim lead to a dramatic increase in the lethality of the second agent, the Bcl-2 antagonist ABT-737, which disables anti-apoptotic proteins.
The study was led by Steven Grant, MD, Professor of Medicine, and
Dr. Steven Grant
 | Associate Director for Translational Research at Massey. Shuan Chen, MD, PhD, and Yun Dai, MD, PhD, were the co-first authors on this study. Xin Yan Pei, MD, also contributed to this research.
The discovery is exciting because it is the first demonstration of the mechanism by which histone deacetylase inhibitors increase the anti-leukemic and anti-myeloma effects of ABT-737 i.e., by increasing expression of the pro-death protein Bim. "This work represents a prototype for future attempts to restore the cell death program in cancer cells by pharmacologic means," Dr. Grant said recently.
These findings were published in Molecular and Cellular Biology. |
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Baker authors new guidelines for lung cancer |
Dr. Sherman Baker
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Massey's Sherman Baker, MD, was second author on new guidelines for non-small cell lung cancer, as published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
In addition to the publication and associated dissemination efforts, measures based on this guideline will be used in ASCO's Quality Oncology Practice Initiative, a program designed to promote excellence in cancer care. |
Massey to develop a tool to measure health literacy in cancer patients |
The National Institute of Health has awarded Massey a grant totaling nearly $3 million to develop a standardized test to measure health literacy among cancer patients.
The four-year grant will be led by Levent Dumenci, PhD, founding director of Massey's Behavioral Measurement program. To develop the test, Dr. Dumenci and colleagues will identify cancer patients who need help in handling the complexities of their medical care at the
Dr. Levent Dumenci
 | time of diagnosis and as they go through treatment. Early identification of cancer health literacy issues will provide a basis for developing interventions in the future. This will be the first health literacy measure designed specifically for cancer patients.
"Recent research shows a significant association between low health literacy and insufficient utilization of preventive health services," Dumenci said. "The more we can do to develop supportive resources for this population, the better job we will be able to do in minimizing cancer risk factors and promoting healthy behaviors, such as screening for breast and colon cancer."
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Researchers identify potential new therapeutic targets for solid tumors |
A team of researchers has found a new role for a receptor long known to be involved in tumor-induced angiogenesis, findings that could lead to improved drug treatments for solid-tumor cancers.
Angiogenesis, the process by which tumor cells recruit new blood vessels that both feed the tumor with nutrients and provide a conduit for the cancer cells to spread throughout the body, is essential to the survival of most cancers. For some time, researchers have considered the proteins involved in angiogenesis as attractive therapeutic targets; however, these new molecular findings may propose an alternative path to treatment.
"This could ultimately lead to improved anti-cancer treatments," said William A. Barton, PhD, assistant professor for the Molecular Cancer Therapeutics Program, who led the efforts at Massey. Dimitar Nikolov, PhD, led the efforts at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The study was published in the journal Molecular Cell.
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Physical therapy a boon to breast cancer survivors |
The research is clear: Exercise, such as walking three to five hours each week, helps breast cancer survivors live longer and enjoy life more. But breast cancer treatment -- surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy -- can be exhausting. During and after treatment, women may not view exercise as a priority or they may be too tired to participate in a standard exercise program.
That's where physical therapy comes in. PT especially designed for breast cancer survivors can help women safely regain their energy, range of motion, and strength. Fatigue, one of the most common side effects of breast cancer treatment, keeps many women from exercising. A physical therapist can suggest coping strategies to help you feel energized.
For information or to make an appointment, call (804) 828-5465 to be referred to the appropriate rehabilitation specialist.
Massey is home to one of the first cancer rehabilitation programs, established in 1974 with a commitment to helping people get on with their lives after cancer. A national leader in the field, the program hosts the acclaimed biennial Cancer Rehabilitation Conference for oncology professionals.
The next biennial conference, Future Directions in Specialized Care, will be held in Richmond, VA, on April 17, 2010. For information, phone (804) 628-1910 or e-mail Karen Reiter today.
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Team Luck |
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"We ought to do that. It looks like fun," said Richmond resident Lin Luck Rohr to her two sisters, Anne Reynolds and Georgia Mitchell, while watching the 2008 Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k. Her sisters liked the idea.
Cabell Luck, Jr., is surrounded by (from left) daughters Anne Reynolds & Georgia Mitchell, wife Bebe Luck, & daughter Lin Rohr
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"When we were watching the 2008 10k, we never imagined that our father would be diagnosed with colon cancer a few weeks later. It also never occurred to us that we would be running the 2009 and 2010 10k in his memory," Rohr continued. "After a successful surgery at VCU Massey Cancer Center, he unexpectedly died on May 16, 2008 from non-surgical complications."
"Our family was devastated," Rohr shared. In looking for a way to honor their father, she remembered the 10k and Massey Challenge. Her sisters agreed this would be a meaningful tribute to his memory.
Read the full story. Sign up for the Massey Challenge. | |
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Momentum is published by the VCU Massey Cancer Center.
David Raine, Jr.
Editor
804-628-1829
If you have questions about cancer, cancer treatments or survivorship, e-mail AskMassey@vcu.edu.
To learn more about VCU Massey Cancer Center, please visit our Web site at www.massey.vcu.edu. |
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