Massey Research Report for August 2017

August 2017

Table of Contents

Research Highlights

Center News

Member Showcase

Researcher Recognition

Upcoming Events

Massey in the Media

Top Cancer News

Funding Opportunities

Limited Competition: Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Transition Award (R00)

Precompetitive Collaboration on Liquid Biopsy for Early Cancer Assessment (U01)

Collaborative Research Network for Fusion Oncoproteins in Childhood Cancers (U54)

View a full list of current funding opportunities.

Open

Recruitments

Highlighted positions related to cancer for which VCU is currently hiring. View the full list.

Associate Director, Basic Research (F51620)

Program Co-Leader, Cancer Molecular Genetics (F36090)

Shared Resource Spotlight

Tissue & Data Acquisition & Analysis Core

The Tissue & Data Acquisition & Analysis Core provides support for biomedical research by maintaining and providing a bank of high-quality human tissue samples using best practice collection methodologies, maintaining appropriate patient protections and integrating relevant clinical data. Services include

quality-controlled human residual tumor and hematopoietic samples; customized human tissue collection, handling and informed consent services; and processing of tissue and hematopoietic samples for specialized studies. The TDAAC supports investigator-initiated IRB-approved translational research projects and clinical trials. Samples and data can be provided under an anonymous honest broker system or for specific IRB-approved protocols.

For more information, contact resource manager Pamela Jill Grizzard at 628.3615 or Pamela.Grizzard@vcuhealth.org
or visit the Massey website.

Research Highlights

Decade-long research in liver cancer uncovers links between obesity and cancer


	Devanand Sarkar, Ph.D. Cancer Molecular Genetics member

Massey research led by Devanand Sarkar is close to bringing about novel therapies for the treatment of liver cancer. Multiple published studies determined that the overexpression of AEG-1 and SND1 are two contributors to the development of liver cancer. Sarkar's team identified pdTp as a targeted therapy for SND1. He also used a nanoparticle therapy to block AEG-1 expression in mice and prevented them from developing nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, a fatty liver disease and a primary risk factor for liver cancer.

Center News

Massey patient's breast cancer treatment documented in ongoing newspaper series

The Richmond

Times-Dispatch published the first two articles in an ongoing series following Carole Johnson as she receives treatment for triple-negative breast cancer at Massey. The first article detailed her diagnosis and lumpectomy, performed by Harry Bear, and her surgical recovery. The second article detailed her medical oncology care with Hetal Vachhani and the start of chemotherapy.

Member Showcase

Dow studies the complexities of cancer treatment to determine more effective methods of care


	Alan Dow, M.D. Cancer Prevention and Control member

Alan Dow joined Massey as a member of the Cancer Prevention and Control research program in March 2017. Through his research, Dow analyzes clinical practices and outcomes in an effort to improve care, teamwork and communication across the entire medical spectrum of a cancer patient's treatment process. Dow is the director and assistant vice president of health sciences at the VCU Center for Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Care and a professor of internal medicine at the VCU School of Medicine.

Researcher Recognition

Grant awarded $600,000 from Leukemia & Lymphoma Society


	Steven Grant, M.D. Developmental Therapeutics co-leader

Steven Grant received $600,000 from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to develop more effective therapies for patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. The two-year funding will support a phase 1 clinical trial for AML patients testing a novel therapy that was proven in laboratory studies to have significantly improved survival in animal models.


Upcoming Events Cancer Research Seminars September 6, 2017: Frank Gupton, of the Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering at VCU, will lead a seminar on streamlining pharmaceutical processes. Monthly Research Meetings Meetings for research programs and scientific groups Massey on the River Join us for the eight annual Massey on the River, hosted by the Massey Alliance, featuring the music of Three Sheets to the Wind, food, beverages and a silent auction - all along the backdrop of the James River to benefit cancer research at Massey. For a full listing of events, view the calendar.	Massey in the Media Science Daily Steven Grossman, M.D., Ph.D., was featured for his research uncovering potential breakthroughs regarding the development and treatment of colon cancer. WRIC ABC 8 A news segment featured nurse manager Jessica Gray and Massey's new palliative care dog. WTVR CBS 6 Director Gordon Ginder, M.D., was interviewed about Massey's re-designation from the NCI and breast cancer clinical trials.	Top Cancer News JAMA Oncology A research letter concluded that more than one-third of insured cancer patients face out-of-pocket costs greater than expected for treatment. The report was featured by Forbes, NPR and U.S. News & World Report. The New England Journal of Medicine A study concluded that surgery was not associated with significantly lower all-cause or prostate-cancer mortality than observation. The findings were reported by CBS News, Los Angeles Times and Reuters. *The New York Times* An article reported that there are too many experimental cancer drugs in too many clinical trials, and not enough patients to test them on.

Share with us your research, awards and accomplishments!

Submit your news to Blake Belden at beldenba@vcu.edu or (804) 628-4578.

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