June 3, 2016
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Dr. Stan GersonStan Gerson, MD
Director, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting starts today in Chicago. The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center has many members participating, presenting, and leading sessions. Click here to view a full list of participation
 
Please support your colleagues if you are attending the meeting. Congratulations to everyone, and enjoy the meeting!  
MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
Cleveland Clinic Researcher Discovers Altering Metabolite of Prostate Cancer Drug More Effective at Treating Aggressive Tumors
For the first time, Cleveland Clinic researchers have fine-tuned an FDA-approved antisteroidal prostate cancer drug to alter its drug metabolism and achieve better anti-tumor activity, according to research published May 26 in Nature.

Dr. Nima Sharifi Cleveland Clinic researcher Nima Sharifi, MD, discovered a new strategy for fine-tuning how the body processes abiraterone to optimize therapy for men with metastatic, treatment-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

"These findings hold enormous potential for changing the way abiraterone is prescribed to patients. While more work is needed to determine the ultimate clinical effect of biochemically altering abiraterone metabolism in this way, our team has identified a promising new combination therapy that stands to improve the care of men with mCRPC," said Sharifi, Co-Leader of the GU Malignancies Program of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Kendrick Family Endowed Chair for Prostate Cancer Research at the Cleveland Clinic and the study's senior author. more>
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Annual Scientific Retreat
Registration is open for the Annual Cancer Center Scientific Retreat, July 7-8.

The first day will be held at Wolstein Research Building, and will kick off with the introduction of new members by Drs. Stan Gerson and Ruth Keri. The afternoon will also feature a keynote address by Elizabeth Jaffee, MD, Deputy Director, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins. The student, postdoc and fellow poster session and reception will immediately follow. Please plan to stick around to hear about the exciting work being conducted by the next generation of cancer researchers being trained right here at the Cancer Center. 

Friday's program will be held at Corporate College East. We have another exciting program planned, with topics ranging from Cancer Genetics & Epigenetics and Cancer Prevention & Control, to Big Ideas, Innovative Therapeutic Approaches, Cellular Mechanisms, and New Initiatives. Each scientific program will hold lunchtime meetings in preparation for our grant, and trainees will attend a career development session. The day will conclude with Poster Session Awards and a cocktail reception. Hope to see you all there!

Call for Abstracts: Cancer Related Research
The evening of July 7 will feature a poster presentation session from 6:30-8:30 pm in the Wolstein Research Building. All graduate students, postdocs, and fellows conducting cancer research are invited to submit abstracts. Judges will review abstracts based on the relationship to cancer, novelty, significance of findings, and clarity. Monetary Prizes will be awarded. more>
VeloSano Bike to Cure
Did you know that every dollar raised through VeloSano goes directly towards cancer research in Cleveland? Last year we awarded seed funding to 5 Cancer Center members, made possible by generous support from VeloSano Bike to Cure 2015. Click here to learn more.  

Join Our Team
Join the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center team for the VeloSano bike ride, July 29-31. We are looking for riders (both actual and virtual), volunteers for our cheer station, and people to join our planning efforts. We will cover the registration fee for the first 50 bike riders who join our team!  Want to know more? Please contact team captain Caroline El Sanadi at [email protected] for details.  

Team Sponsors
Thank you to our team sponsors: Spangenberg, Shibley, & LiberTaft, Stettinius, & HollisterBlanda Orthopedics; Majic Family Fund; Peter Osenar; TOLI (The Tavern of Little Italy)New Belgium Brewing Co.Ziegler Metzger, LLP and top supporters: Jerry & Helen McDonough and Peter Osenar. 

Team Meet and Greet Happy Hours
Join us for team meet and greets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at TOLI (Tavern of Little Italy). The next one will be June 9 at 4:30p. See you there, and bring your friends! 

Fundraiser Bash
We will also be holding a team fundraiser Friday, June 10 at TOLI. Join Team Case CCC as we raise money for the 3rd Annual VeloSano Bike to Cure. Proceeds from the event go directly towards cancer research in Cleveland. Purchase your tickets now and you can join the fun as soon as you arrive! 

Ticket includes heavy appetizers, 2 drinks, one raffle ticket, and live music! There will also be basket raffles, bike raffle and 50/50. 

Bike DrawingPurchase Tickets to win a Fat Tire Bike donated by New Belgium Brewing - $10/ticket. Tickets available for purchase now or at the event. Winner will be drawn June 10 at the end of the event.

Basket Raffle: Tickets for the basket raffle will be available for purchase at the event. Winner will be drawn June 10 at the end of the event. Basket prizes include: 
  • Cleveland Botanical Gardens
  • Bishop & Co. Hair & Beauty Lounge
  • Cat McB Studios artwork
  • Plantscaping and Blooms: Florist for a day
  • Plantscaping and Blooms: Winter holiday arrangement
  • L'oreal gift bag
  • Chagrin Yoga gift certificate
  • Laura Lee Salon Aveda basket and pedicure/manicure
  • Piano lessons
  • Spanish lessons
  • Children's books
  • Lemon Falls gift certificate 
  • Cleveland Browns tickets
  • Cleveland Indians: 4 tickets for August 21 game, autographed Indians baseball
  • Homemade quilt and bag
  • Athleta gift certificate
  • Phoenix Coffee: One month free coffee
  • Cleveland Museum of Natural History 
  • Life/Work Coach (2 classes)
  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • 1 Month of free yoga at Cleveland Yoga
  • GrooveRyde 5-class pack 
IN THE NEWS
The emergence of CAR T-cell therapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and acute lymphocytic leukemia is "a really exciting development" for patients with these cancers, and researchers are now working to determine how this therapeutic approach can be utilized in myeloid malignancies, according to Aaron T. Gerds, MD, MS, of the Cleveland Clinic.
New York Times - June 1, 2016
Dr. Mikkael Sekeres and Dr. Timothy Gilligan, both of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, share one of their biggest challenges when discussing cancer prognosis with patients. Dr. Mikkael Sekeres is director of the leukemia program at theCleveland ClinicDr. Timothy Gilligan is the director of coaching, Center for Excellence in Healthcare Communication, at the Cleveland Clinic.
A revealing new study of brain tumors in the prime of life
Think Magazine - Spring 2016
Researchers at Case Western Reserve have completed the first-of-its-kind study of brain cancers that strike adolescents and young adults. And they found a connection between the character of the tumors and the developmental stage of people diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 39. These individuals "are in the reproductive prime of life and they have a different set of hormonally driven cancers than older adults," said Jill Barnholtz-Sloan, PhD, an associate professor at the School of Medicine, associate director of bioinformatics for the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and senior author of the recent study. The research was published earlier this year in the journal Neuro-Oncology.
The Plain Dealer / Cleveland.com - May 31, 2016
In a multi-level facility on its Cleveland campus, University Hospitals on Tuesday marked a first in cancer care in Ohio. The hospital system formally unveiled the state's first proton therapy center to deliver more targeted radiation therapy to patients suffering from a variety of cancers...Dr. Mitch Machtay, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, chairman of radiation oncology at UH Case Medical Center, said in a statement, "This technology will be a great complement to our existing state-of-the-art radiation oncology equipment and personnel at Seidman and more importantly, the lives of many people with cancer and their families will be ultimately enhanced by this investment."
Lifestyle changes directly impact the incidence of breast cancer: Jame Abraham
ET Health World - May 31, 2016 
Jame Abraham, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Director, Breast Oncology program, Taussig Cancer Institute, Ohio, talks to ETHealthworld about the breast cancer scenario and the improvements in treatment modalities.
The Scientist - May 27, 2016
Partial results from a large-scale, peer-reviewed study conducted by scientists at the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) on the effects of cell phone-frequency radiation on rats and mice were released yesterday (May 26) on the preprint serverbioRxiv. The NTP team found a 2.2 percent to 3.3 percent higher incidence of malignant gliomas in the brains and schwannomas in the hearts of male rats exposed to the radiation. But reviewers of the study and other scientists raised a number of important caveats. "This is a controlled study and seems to have a solid study design," Jill Barnholtz-Sloan of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, who was not involved in the study, wrote in an email to The Scientist. However, "there is not a clear dose response relationship from these data," Barnholtz-Sloan said. "I also question the statistical power that they had to see these very small differences in incidence based on their sample size."
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Request for Proposals for Case CCC Funding for Pilot/Phase I Clinical Trials
Rolling Deadline 
The Case CCC is encouraging investigators to submit Letters of Intent (LOI) for Early Phase Clinical Research Support (EPCRS) funding. These in-house funds are available for the conduct of early phase clinical trials of relatively short duration. Priority will be given to trials which are developed jointly between UH and CCF with planned accrual at both institutions.
The proposals are being accepted on a rolling basis subject to availability of funds.

Please direct any questions and/or submit LOIs to Katarzyna Karelus, Case CCC Clinical Research Office, [email protected], 216.844.4176.
NIH BULLETIN - Notices and Funding Opportunities
PHS 2016-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC, FDA, and ACF for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44])(PA-16-302)

PHS 2016-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42])(PA-16-303)

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Fellowship for Students at Institutions With NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30)(PA-16-305)

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Fellowship for Students at Institutions Without NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30)(PA-16-306)

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (Parent F32)(PA-16-307)

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Individual Predoctoral Fellowship to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Parent F31 - Diversity)(PA-16-308)

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31)(PA-16-309)

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Senior Fellowship (Parent F33)

IN THIS ISSUE
VELOSANO 2016

Jul 29-31

Ride with Us! 


Monthly Happy Hours 
Support Team Case CCC: Join us for monthly happy hours at TOLI (Tavern of Little Italy) on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month [Jun 9; Jun 23; Jul 14].

Team Fundraiser Bash
Jun 10
TOLI
Ticket includes heavy appetizers, two drinks, one raffle ticket, and live music 

EVENTS
Mon Jun 6
Case CCC Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Meeting
Reshmi Parameswaran, PhD
Assistant Professor, Pathology
CWRU
4p R3-027 Cleveland Clinic
Wed Jun 8
Hem/Onc Div Res Conf
8a Lerner B-151
Thurs Jun 9
Team Case CCC VeloSano Happy Hour
4:30-7:30p TOLI
Fri Jun 10
Hem/Onc Fellows 
8a Breen Conf Rm

TCI Grand Rounds
James Bonner, MD
University of Alabama
"Optimizing Combined Modality Approaches to the Treatment of Head and Neck in the Era of HPV"   
8a R3/002-003 Cleveland Clinic

Cancer Center Research in Progress
Hua Fung, PhD
Senior Research Associate, Gerson Lab, Div. of Hematology/Oncology
CWRU/UH
"Applying Sequence-targeted DNA Damages for Targeted Cancer Therapy"
4p WRB 3-136

VeloSano Team Case CCC Fundraiser Bash
5-8p TOLI
Tickets & More Information
Mon Jun 13
Genomic Research Seminar
Heather M. O'Hagen, PhD Indianan University "Connecting Oxidative Damage to Epigenetic Alterations During Inflammation Driven Tumorigenesis" 
12:30p NE1-205 Cleveland Clinic
Tues Jun 14
Radiation Oncology Grand Rounds 
Gregory M. Videtic, MD
Professor, Radiation Oncology 
Cleveland Clinic
 Treatment of Early Stage Lung Cancer - the Stereotactic Era
8a Lerner B-151
Wed Jun 15
Hem/Onc Div Res Conf
8a Lerner B-151

CDDRCC Seminar
Booki Min, DVM, PhD Assistant Professor, Immunology
CWRU/Cleveland Clinic
"Gamma Delta T Cells and Intestinal Inflammation"
12p NA1-142 Cleveland Clinic
Thurs Jun 16
Cancer Trainee Seminar
12p WRB 3-136
Fri Jun 17
Hem/Onc Fellows 
8a Breen Conf Rm

TCI Grand Rounds
8a R3/002-003 Cleveland Clinic

 

Case CCC Calendar

 

LRI Calendar

 

ADDITIONAL UPCOMING SYMPOSIUMS & EVENTS

Race for the Place to benefit The Gathering Place
Jun 5
Beachwood
Details & Registration 

Team Case CCC VeloSano Fundraiser Bash
Jun 10
TOLI 

LUNGevity Foundation's Breathe Deep Cleveland
Jun 18 
Lower Edgewater Park
Details & Registration 

Cancer Moonshot Summit: Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Jun 29

ASCO Review
Jun 29
InterContinental Hotel

Increasing HPV Vaccination in the US: A Collaboration of NCI Funded Cancer Centers
Ohio State Univ

Details & Registration
Case CCC Annual Scientific Retreat
Jul 7-8 
Details & Registration 

VeloSano 2016
Jul 29-31

Palliative Medicine and Supportive Oncology 2016
Aug 4-6
Marriott Key Center

Great Lakes Breast Cancer Symposium 2016
Sep 8-9
Pittsburgh, PA

Genomic Medicine Institute 4th Annual Genetics and Genomics Education Symposium
Sep 15
Intercontinental Hotel and Conference Center

Cancer Stem Cell Conference
Sep 20-23
Hilton Cleveland Downtown

Inaugural Cancer Care Symposium - Call for Abstracts
Sep 30
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED OPPORTUNITIES



Pre-Application Deadline: Jun 9
Application Deadline: Sep 14

Pre-Application Deadline: Jun 9
Application Deadline: Sep 14

Pre-Application Deadline: Jun 9
Application Deadline: Sep 14

Pre-Application Deadline: Jun 9
Application Deadline: Sep 14

Pre-Application: Jun 9 
Application: Aug 25

Pre-Application: Jun 9 
Application: Aug 25




Jul 1

Deadline: Jul 1

Deadline: Jul 1

Pre-Application (Letter of Intent): Jul 7 
Confidential Letters of Recommendation: Jul 26
Application: Jul 21

Pre-Application (Letter of Intent): Jul 7
Confidential Letters of Recommendation: Jul 26
Application: Jul 21

Pre-Application (Letter of Intent): Jul 28
Application: Aug 11


Deadline: Oct 1; Feb 1


Deadline: Open

Deadline: Open
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center 
11100 Euclid Avenue, Wearn152
Cleveland, OH 44106-5065

Case Comprehensive Cancer Center | 11100 Euclid Avenue | Wearn152 | Cleveland | OH | 44106-5065