Leaders' Update
A message from Steven Grant, M.D., associate director for translational research and Developmental Therapeutics co-leader
Massey is continuing to develop promising research concepts and to effectively translate them into clinical trials.
This message continues with:
|
Targeted viral therapy destroys breast cancer stem cells in preclinical experiments
A promising new treatment for breast cancer has been shown in cell culture and animal models to selectively kill cancer stem cells at the original tumor site and in distant metastases with no toxic effects to healthy cells.
|
Experimental drug combination selectively destroys lymphoma cells
A novel combination of the drugs ibrutinib and bortezomib has been found in lab studies to be an effective new therapy for several forms of blood cancer, including large B-cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma.
|
Project LIFE! puts faith in churches to influence healthy behavior
Project LIFE! utilizes the power and influence of the African-American church to become a partner in addressing major health concerns. The project's trained coaches spread health promotion messages and host tailored activities aimed at increasing healthy behaviors and promoting early detection for cancer.
|
New radiation oncology facilities open
|
Member Showcase
Massey welcomes Santanu Dasgupta, Ph.D., as one of the newest research members of the Cancer Molecular Genetics program.
Dasgupta's research focuses on developing early detection and monitoring strategies for cancers. He is also interested in developing tumor immunotherapeutic strategies utilizing suitable tumor-associated antigens.
|
Cancer Research Retreat roundup
The annual Cancer Research Retreat began with Matthew Hartman, Ph.D., and Lawrence Povirk, Ph.D., discussing their collaboration on the development of a novel drug that could increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy by reducing cancer cells' ability to repair DNA damage. Next, Charles Chalfant, Ph.D., and Michael Shultz, Ph.D., presented their research on the connection between melanoma differentiation associated gene-7 (mda-7) and lung cancer. Then the keynote speaker, Timothy Ley, M.D., discussed his work exploring the genetic changes that contribute to the development of acute myeloid leukemia. Ley's team was the first to sequence an entire cancer genome, enabling him to identify specific genetic mutations that are now being examined as targets for the development of new gene therapies.
After the presentations, graduate level students and postdoctoral fellows displayed their research at the poster sessions and competed for Excellence in Cancer Research Awards. Congratulations to the winners:
- First place: Bridget Quinn for "Sabutoclax, a novel PAN-BCL-2 family antagonist, and its role in pancreatic cancer therapy"
- Second place: Chadia Robertson for "Analyzing astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) knock-out mice: elucidation of the role of AEG-1 in lipid metabolism and hepatocarcinogenesis"
- Third place: Lauren Folgosa for "New implications of ADAMs in TNFa-related diseases: ADAM10 deficient B cells exhibit increased ADAM17 and TNFa"
|
