Dr. Hua Lu, chair of the Department of Biochemistry, and his research team recently published a study in Molecular Cell that sheds light on a unique genetic mutation believed to be associated with a higher incidence of liver cancer in China and some African countries.

"P53, a protein that normally functions as a tumor suppressor, preventing the growth and spread of cancerous cells, is highly mutated in most human cancers, causing a loss of normal function," said Lu.

In some parts of China and Africa, the mutation of p53 in liver cancers occurs mainly at one particular amino acid - a "hot spot" in the genome.

"We believe this hot spot mutation is highly associated with exposure to the carcinogenic chemical aflatoxin B1, which is produced by fungi that infect food stores, like peanuts and some dried foods, in China and Africa," said Lu.

These areas are particularly vulnerable because of warm, moist climates and limited access to air conditioning or refrigeration. "Many of those who eat these foods don't realize they are infected with the fungi," said Lu. "Fortunately, this is not a problem in the United States or other countries with more modern food storage methods."

Unlike the U.S., where Hepatitis C is associated with liver cancer incidence, it's the B strain (HBV) that is more prevalent in China and Africa. Scientists believe the combination of aflatoxin B1-induced P53 mutation and exposure to HBV creates an environment conducive to the development of liver cancer by reprogramming P53 to help promote tumor growth.

"The mechanism through which this transformation takes place is not entirely clear and is the focus of this paper," said Lu. "Our study unveils a unique molecular pathway that renders mutated p53 more oncogenic in promoting liver cancer cell growth." This pathway could ultimately become a target for the therapeutic treatment of liver cancer.

Healing Hands Across the Divide (HHAD) is a Tulane initiative to address cancer disparities among the at-risk population in the New Orleans area.

"It was created post-Katrina, when we noticed a large number of patients arriving in clinic with advanced head and neck cancers," said Paul Friedlander, M.D., chair of the Department of Otolaryngology and one of the founders of HHAD.

In response, he and several Tulane colleagues created a faith- and community-based partnership with African American pastors and other leaders to gain insight into barriers to healthcare among this population.

Their initial plan was to increase community screening opportunities, but "unfortunately once we increased awareness, we realized we didn't have the resources necessary to fully handle the need," said Friedlander. "As a physician, I can help several patients, but it's really a public health problem to help a population."

As a result, the organization has had to refocus in recent years. They have adopted a social entrepreneurship model, becoming a creative platform for new ideas and systems to tackle the disparities issue while welcoming partnerships with those who have the resources and the desire to help implement them.

In this spirit, Friedlander and colleagues studied gaps in our healthcare delivery system and published the first model for utilizing patient navigators to impact care for head and neck cancer patients. ( JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015 Sep;141(9):804-9.)

Additionally, HHAD has partnered with several local churches to develop a culturally competent educational model around HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccinations for children. "We're in preliminary discussions with the American Cancer Society regarding rolling this out in other churches and possibly even schools," said Friedlander. ( JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2016 Jun 1;142(6):590-5.)

HHAD has also been approached by the local chapter of White Coats for Black Lives - a national group of medical students - who are interested in providing head and neck cancer screenings at Bridge House and other Tulane-based community clinics.

"Tulane attracts people who want to make the world a better place. That's one of our greatest strengths," said Friedlander. "HHAD can be creative in terms of ideas, but to have an impact, we rely on those who can recognize the value in these ideas and help implement them for betterment. I can't wait to see what our next chapter will be."

Please join Dr. Oliver Sartor for a dinner lecture -

Prostate Cancer: What You Need to Know -

on Thursday, March 22, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., at the Scandinavian Jazz Church, 1772 Prytania St., New Orleans, 70130. Tickets are $30 each.

The Sixth Annual Gunning for a Cure Sporting Clays Fundraiser, held February 24, was an incredible success, raising approximately $192,000 for Dr. Oliver Sartor's Prostate Cancer Research Fund at Tulane Cancer Center.

Held at stunning Stella Plantation in Braithwaite, Louisiana, the event is planned and hosted by the family and associates of Dr. Sartor's dear friend and former patient Chalin Perez. Through this fundraiser, the organizers hope to give Dr. Sartor the financial support he needs to continue his research and assist him in his efforts to help other families dealing with a prostate cancer diagnosis.

Over 70 four-person teams competed in the event, which featured a professional sporting clays course. As teams completed the course, they enjoyed a buffet-style lunch, music, awards, raffles and a silent auction, all geared toward raising funds for prostate cancer research.

"The Perez family, like many others in Louisiana, has been deeply impacted by prostate cancer," said Dr. Sartor, the Laborde Professor of Cancer Research and assistant dean for oncology at Tulane. "Their experience has motivated them to continue their father's fight by raising funds to help find new treatment options and hopefully, one day, a cure. I am deeply thankful to them and to the rest of the planning committee members, the sporting clays participants, the 70-plus volunteers who staffed the event, the sponsors and the in-kind donors. I am in awe of their passion to make a difference, and I will continue to invest their hard-earned funds in research that will hopefully help us to find answers."

The 2019 Gunning for a Cure event will take place on Saturday, February 16. Mark your calendars and join us! For more information, visit www.gunningforacure.org.