August 30, 2016
MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
Researchers Restore Drug Sensitivity in Breast Cancer Tumors
A team of Case Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers has uncovered one way certain tumors resist vital medication.


In the study published in Oncotarget (Merry CR. Oncotarget. 2016 Jul 16), the researchers studied tumor biopsies collected from breast cancer patients before and after treatment with the go-to breast cancer drug trastuzumab (also known as Herceptin). Some of the tumors were treatable with trastuzumab, and others were not. By comparing genes activated in the responsive tumors to those in non-responsive tumors, the researchers uncovered several genes that may help tumors evade the drug. Tumors previously resistant to trastuzumab were resensitized when the researchers blocked one of the genes, called S100P.


The study zeroed in on small pieces of genetic material called mRNAs and lincRNAs. These tiny fragments are created from DNA inside normal cells but become dysregulated in tumors. The research team initially identified 1,542 mRNAs and 371 lincRNAs that were different between tumors cells responsive to trastuzumab and non-responsive tumors. These differences indicated to the researchers that separate networks of cell signals were being activated in each group of tumor cells. The researchers narrowed down the list of RNAs using cells grown in their laboratory. They were interested in finding an RNA molecule that could be therapeutically manipulated to disrupt signals in the tumor cells related to trastuzumab resistance.


Ahmed Khalil
Ahmed Khalil
Ahmad Khalil, PhD, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Assistant Professor of Genetics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, led the study and explained, "Our hypothesis was that there are gene expression differences of both mRNAs and lincRNAs between tumors from patients that respond to trastuzumab and tumors from patients that do not." more>
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Save the Date: Case CCC Clinical Research Retreat
The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center Clinical Research Retreat will take place October 27, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm, at the Cleveland Clinic, Taussig Cancer Institute, R3-002/003. The agenda will focus on research and clinical trials with under-served, vulnerable and minority populations.
 
Please contact Dr. Michael Gibson ([email protected]) or Dr. Dale Shephard ([email protected]) with any questions.
Great Lakes Breast Cancer (GLBC) Symposium
Registration is open for the 2nd Great Lakes Breast Cancer (GLBC) Symposium,  Thursday, September 8 through Saturday, September 10, 2016. The event will be held at the Herberman Conference Center at UPMC Cancer Pavilion in Shadyside, Pittsburgh, PA.


The GLBC Symposium is made possible through collaboration between the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI), the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC), and The Ohio State University (OSU) Comprehensive Cancer Center (James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute). 


The 2016 GLBC Symposium aims to increase collaboration between these three cancer centers in the area of breast cancer research and clinical trials. A keynote talk will be given by Dr. Joyce Slingerland (University of Miami Health System).


We very much look forward to your attendance and participation in this meeting, and we especially encourage you to bring students and fellows.


Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credits
The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.


The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 14.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.


Other health care professionals are awarded 1.4 continuing education units (CEUs), which are equal to 14.5 contact hours.
Genomic Medicine Institute Annual Symposium
The Genomic Medicine Institute will host the 4th annual genetic education symposium, "Genetics Genomics: Advances Across the Lifespan," on Thursday, September 15. Join your colleagues at the Cleveland InterContinental Hotel for this educational event which will focus on genetic advances in diagnosis and treatment during all stages of life, from prenatal conditions to Alzheimer Disease. 
 
This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. NSGC Category 1 CEU credit pending. 


Contact Kim Linger ([email protected])with any questions.
Cancer Stem Cell Conference 2016 
Sep 20-23 Hilton Cleveland Downtown
In 2014, the National Center for Regenerative Medicine created the international Cancer Stem Cell (CSC) Conference to foster new collaborations across national and international boundaries.


This conference will address the translation of bench-top science to patient care. CSC 2016 is guaranteed to offer cutting-edge presentations in a variety of specialized areas within the field. Join us for this 4-day summit and network with scientists and clinicians advancing cancer stem cell research and therapeutic applications. 


CSC 2016 will feature:
  • Renowed speakers from over 25 different institutions
  • Preconference Workshop (Trainee Career Development)
  • Meet the Editors (Cell Stem Cell and Nature Cell Biology)
  • Young Investigator Awards (Junior level faculty and below)
  • Over 100+ posters
  • 15 Short Talks (selected from abstracts submissions)
IN THE NEWS
cleveland19 - Aug 25, 2016
With the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure just a couple days away, University Hospitals is excited to announce its involvement in a national trial with the potential to take the quality of breast cancer treatment one step further. It's all about making sure curing one problem doesn't cause another, stemming from the concern that standard radiation therapy to kill cancer cells in the breast can also cause damage to the heart that might show up years later. The new proton therapy center opened last month at UH The main device looks like a CT scan - it emits proton radiation beams and has been used on children, teen, and young adult cancer patients. "They penetrate a certain distance deep into tissues and then they stop," said Dr. Janice Lyons, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, UH Seidman Cancer. "There's a feature to the proton beam that once it hits the depth we want it to treat it goes away for the most part."
Former Browns player talks about being diagnosed with breast cancer

cleveland19- Aug 25, 2016

"Breast cancer is relatively rare in men but all males have breast tissue behind the nipple so they are susceptible to getting breast cancer," said Dr. Robert Shenk, Medical Director for Breast Cancer at University Hospitals, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Urology Times - Aug 24, 2016
A new prospective phase II trial suggests that immediate treatment is not necessary for all adults with advanced kidney cancer and that active surveillance may be suitable for some without the disease worsening. Since its publication online in The Lancet Oncology (Aug. 3, 2016), the study has given credence to those who believe active surveillance and close monitoring for evidence of disease progression is suitable sometimes rather than starting immediate treatment with highly toxic anticancer drugs. "This is something that was done, but not formally prospectively studied before," lead author Brian Rini, MD, of Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, told Urology Times. "Patients and doctors can find some comfort in the fact that they don't necessarily need to be treated right away. It's obviously a clinical decision between the doctor and patient and based on the comfort level and disease, and some intangibles that are hard to objectify."
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
AACR NextGen Grants for Transformative Cancer Research 
LOI Deadline: Sep 12
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) NextGen Grants for Transformative Cancer Research represent the AACR's flagship funding initiative to stimulate highly innovative research from young investigators. This grant mechanism is intended to promote and support creative, paradigm-shifting cancer research that may not be funded through conventional channels. It is expected that these grants will catalyze significant scientific discoveries and help talented young investigators gain scientific independence.


NIH BULLETIN- Notices and Funding Opportunities
Core Facility Survey
The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center is in the process of collecting user feedback of our Core Facilities.  As a member of the Cancer Center community we ask that you complete a short survey that will better help us tailor our Cores to your research needs. Click here to take the survey.   


Thank you to everyone who already completed the survey. We appreciate your input. 
EVENTS
Wed, Aug 31
Hem/Onc Grand Rounds
8a Lerner B-151


Bloomfield Lecture Series
James E. Crowe, Jr., MD Vanderbilt University School of Medicine "Genetic and structural basis for virus neutralization by human antibodies"
4pm WRB 1-413
Fri, Sep 2
Hem/Onc Fellows
8a Breen Conf Rm. 


TCI Grand Rounds
Catherine Bollard, MD
George Washington University and Children's National Health System

"T cell Therapies for Hematologic Malignancies" 
8a R3/002-003 Cleveland Clinic 


Cancer Center Seminar Series
Catherine Bollard, MD
George Washington University and Children's National Health System
"Virus Specific T Cells after Transplant: Broadening Applicability"
12p BRB 105


Pharmacology Defense
Xuewu Sui

"Structural and Biochemical Insights into Catalytic Mechanisms of Carotenoid Cleavage Oxygenases (CCO's)"

2:30p SOM W331
Wed, Sep 7
Hem/Onc Grand Rounds
8a Lerner B-151

Fri, Sep 9
Hem/Onc Fellows
8a Breen Conf Rm.


TCI Grand Rounds
Gabriel Brooks, MD   Dartmouth College
"Avoidable Hospitalizations in Cancer Care: Defining the Problem and Designing Solutions" 
8a R3/002-003 Cleveland Clinic   


Cancer Center Seminar Series
Agne Petrosiute, MD
CWRU SOM/Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital   
"A Tumor Immune Response Modulator"
12p BRB 105      


ADDITIONAL UPCOMING SYMPOSIUMS & EVENTS


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


Conference on Geospatial Approaches to Cancer Control and Population Sciences
Sep 12-14 

Natcher Conference Center, NIH Main Campus, Bethesda, MD


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

Sep 30


Case Comprehensive Cancer Center Clinical Research Retreat 
October 27
5:30-7:30p Cleveland Clinic R3-002/003
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED OPPORTUNITIES


LOI Deadline: Sep 15
Application Deadline: Nov 15








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