Committed to Excellence in Cancer Research, Education and Patient Care
Inroads
June 2022
June is national cancer survivor month
According to the National Cancer Institute, an individual is considered a cancer survivor at the moment of diagnosis. Thanks to advances in cancer research, more than 16.9 million people in the U.S. are cancer survivors living with, through, and beyond their disease. National Cancer Survivor Month is about celebrating life and encouraging those who are still battling cancer that survivorship is possible!
Researcher Receives $2.1 Million Grant to Study How Some Breast Cancers Evade the Immune System
The image above shows chemotherapy-treated mammary tumor cells expressing the immune checkpoint gene PD-L1 (green). (Photo credit: Ashkan Shahbandi, Jackson Lab.)
The most significant research advances to extend breast cancer survival have focused on specific subsets of patients, such as those with tumors that express the estrogen receptor – which are treated with drugs such as tamoxifen – or HER2 treated with drugs such as herceptin. When tumors lack these drug targets, patients are typically treated with chemotherapy, and many will go on to live cancer-free for many years.

However, there are other subsets of patients whose tumors persist after chemotherapy. "And that's what my lab is trying to figure out – why some respond well and some respond poorly to treatment and how we can overcome that," said James Jackson, PhD, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, who was recently awarded a five-year, $2.1 million National Cancer Institute grant to support this work.

His lab discovered that the tumors that respond the worst do not have a mutation in a gene called TP53. They enter a state of dormancy – called cellular senescence – instead of dying after treatment. In senescence, the tumor cells stop dividing and at the same time activate programs of cellular survival. "They are avoiding all the mechanisms of cell death caused by chemotherapy," said Jackson. Because of this, senescent cells can persist following chemotherapy treatment, and this mass of surviving cells – called residual disease – will frequently cause relapse.

The tumor mass that remains is not only avoiding intrinsic cell death but it's also avoiding death via the immune system. "Little is known about how these cells evade the immune system," said Jackson.

Ashkan Shahbandi, an MD/PhD program student in Jackson's lab, investigated gene expression data from chemotherapy-treated, senescent breast tumors and discovered that they express high levels of immune checkpoint genes – genes that express a protein that goes to the cell surface and interacts with the cytotoxic T cells of the immune system to "put the brakes" on the immune response.

"They switch the T cells off, preventing them from doing their job, which allows the tumor cells to survive," said Jackson. He and his team plan to use the current funding to learn more about this process. "There are drugs that can get in between and block the interaction between the checkpoint genes and the T cells. These have shown a lot of efficacy in melanoma and lung cancer but not so much in breast cancer," said Jackson.

One possible explanation is that breast cancers express a vast variety of checkpoints that can interact with and block T cells, making them difficult to overcome with just one drug. "You can even use multiple drugs and it's hard to get a good response because there are always cells that survive that can make multiple checkpoints or they make checkpoints that you're not targeting," said Jackson. "Shifting our focus to some of the upstream programs that cause the induction of these checkpoints in the first place is what we're planning to do instead."
Cancer Biologist to Lead
Louisiana Cancer Research Center
The Louisiana Cancer Research Center serves as a collaborative hub that advances cancer research, improves prevention, and accelerates innovative treatments. LCRC brings together the collective talent of more than 200 researchers from four institutions Tulane School of Medicine, LSU Health New Orleans, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Ochsner Health to improve cancer outcomes for Louisianans and all those touched by the disease.
World-renowned cancer biology researcher Joe W. Ramos, PhD, has been selected to lead the Louisiana Cancer Research Center (LCRC), a collaborative hub in downtown New Orleans that brings together top cancer researchers from Tulane and other area universities to seek treatments and cures for one of the world’s leading causes of death.
 
Ramos most recently served as the interim director of the University of Hawaii Cancer Center (UHCC) and the B.H. and Alice C. Beams Endowed Professor at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. He oversaw a research institution that has maintained 25 years of continuous cancer center designation by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and which has 300 faculty and staff, 200 affiliate members and a deep history of collaborative research. 
 
LCRC, located at the corner of Tulane and South Claiborne avenues, clusters the area’s leading cancer research institutions into one high-profile hub to share resources, attract bigger and more prestigious national grant awards, encourage inter-institutional research and, ultimately, earn a coveted federal National Cancer Institute cancer center designation.
 
“Every one of us knows a friend, family member or loved one who has faced a diagnosis of cancer, or we may have received one ourselves,” said Tulane University President Michael Fitts. “Having someone of Dr. Ramos’ renown and expertise lead the LCRC promises far-reaching benefits for our community and region in terms of public health, scientific advancement and economic impact. A cancer center with the potential to earn a NCI designation will join a growing constellation of healthcare facilities, labs, institutes and centers, in the heart of New Orleans’ Bioinnovation District, which is dedicated to discoveries and breakthroughs that can improve lives and health outcomes for our state and the world.”
 
Tulane partners with LCRC through the Tulane Cancer Center, which supports cancer-focused faculty currently conducting more than $18 million in cancer-relevant national peer-reviewed research across the University. LCRC also includes researchers from LSU Health New Orleans, Xavier University of Louisiana and Ochsner Health.
 
“With advances in cancer diagnostics, personalized medicine and precision immunotherapy treatments, Dr. Ramos joins LCRC at one of the most exciting times in the field of cancer research,” said Dr. Lee Hamm, Tulane senior vice president and dean of the School of Medicine. “The LCRC is a critical partner in uniting the region’s considerable scientific and clinical capabilities into a research powerhouse to attract talent and funding to advance cancer breakthroughs right here in New Orleans.”
 
Ramos will be officially introduced to the research community as director and chief executive officer of the LCRC on July 26 and will begin a tour of research institutions in the state that same week.
 
For more information, read the full announcement from LCRC here.
Tulane Offers Minimally Invasive Skin Cancer Treatments That Can Save Lives
Dr. Jeffrey Lackey is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in both conventional excision of skin cancers and Mohs micrographic surgery.
Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are the most common types of skin cancer. Both are curable when caught early, which makes a routine skin check by a dermatologist an important part of staying healthy.

Tulane University School of Medicine offers highly effective ways to treat both types of skin cancer, including both conventional excision and Mohs micrographic surgery. Jeffrey Lackey, MD, is a fellowship-trained Mohs micrographic surgeon who provides comprehensive care of cutaneous malignancies at both Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans and Lakeview Regional Medical Center in Covington.

Mohs micrographic surgery generally takes just a few hours to complete. Dr. Lackey removes the cancer under local anesthesia, then examines the tissue in a lab just steps away from the patient. If any cancer cells appear in the margins, Lackey will track it and clear it all. He typically clears most tumors in one or two attempts and, once the cancer is clear, reconstruction is done. Most patients are ready to go home in two or three hours.

“Some cases are more complex and challenging, and may take longer,” said Dr. Lackey. “But we almost always finish the Mohs surgery in one day and that saves the risk of general anesthesia and saves the waiting for turnaround time in laboratories.”

Skin cancer can affect anyone, but people who are light-skinned, those who have had a lot of sun exposure, and people who are immunocompromised are more at risk. Contact Tulane Dermatology for more information about skin health and to make an appointment with one of our board-certified dermatologists. For the downtown clinic, call (504) 988-1700. In Covington, call (985) 893-1291.
Dance to Make a Difference at the
Seersucker & Sass Summer Gala
Dust off your dancing shoes and join the Cancer Crusaders at their annual Seersucker & Sass Summer Gala, Saturday, June 18, 7 - 11 PM, at Chateau Estates Country Club, 3600 Chateau Blvd., Kenner.*

Guests will enjoy dinner, dancing – with live music by The Quarter Notes – and an auction, including fabulous artwork, a fun beach vacation, a chartered fishing trip, a dine-around restaurant gift card assortment, as well as wine and liquor baskets, all valued at $250 or higher. And don't miss your chance at being highest bidder on a fabulous diamond ring valued at approximately $4,000.

Speaking of diamonds, the Summer Gala will also feature a very unique raffle. You could be the winner of an exquisite loose one-carat diamond, donated by LeeAnne Leopold, Summer Gala chairperson. The diamond is valued at $6,000 and will look stunning set in a ring, necklace or any other piece of jewelry. Raffle tickets are $20 each or six for $100, and you don't have to attend the Gala to purchase or win! A limited number of tickets will be sold. If interested, please click here to purchase yours.

Cancer Crusaders is a nonprofit, all volunteer organization dedicated to supporting cancer research in the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan area. Funds raised through the Summer Gala and several other events and initiatives held throughout the year, are distributed annually to the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) and Tulane Cancer Center in New Orleans to support cancer research efforts. Since 1978, Cancer Crusaders has provided over $5 million to support endowments, resident and fellow research programs, clinical research studies, genetic sequencing efforts, data collection, and more at Tulane and LSUHSC.

"I joined Cancer Crusaders over 30 years ago and still believe THE ANSWER TO CANCER IS RESEARCH," said Kathy Pastorek, the organization's 2022 president. "We’ve seen people cured that had no hope years ago. The researchers we fund diligently continue to make great strides one step at a time, and those steps combined enable large leaps toward the goal."

"The Cancer Crusaders members have over the years become much more than benefactors," said Prescott Deininger, PhD, Tulane Cancer Center director. "They have become our true partners in every sense of the word. Their pride and enthusiasm in supporting our cancer research efforts are apparent every time we have the good fortune of joining them for a meeting or event. We are extremely proud to call them our allies and friends, and they have contributed greatly to our progress through the years."

Individual tickets for Seersucker & Sass cost $130 each or $175 for patron tickets with program acknowledgement. Table sponsorships are also available. To learn more, please click here.

If you can't attend but would like to make a donation to help support the Cancer Crusaders' mission, please click here.

*All COVID mandates in effect on the date of the event will be followed.

Win A One-Carat Diamond and Help Cure Cancer!
The Cancer Crusaders are raffling an exquisite loose one-carat diamond, valued at $6,000, at their Seersucker & Sass Summer Gala. Winner need not be present to win. Raffle tickets are $20 each or six for $100, and a limited number of will be sold. To purchase yours, please click here.
Be a part of the fight against breast cancer while enjoying a feast for the senses!

Join Krewe de Pink for their third annual Death by Chocolate…NOT Breast Cancer fundraiser, where they will honor this year’s "Six Sweet Survivors" – Caitrin Gladow, Maria Cordero Stambaugh, Dianne Honore, Grace Landry, Lena Stewart, and Chontel Landry – as well as "In Memory Sweet Survivor" Aline Schoen (posthumously).

Krewe de Pink, in partnership with Delgado Community College’s Culinary and Pastry Arts Program and Jacob Schoen & Son, has created a chocolate and champagne tasting event like no other. Twelve tasty chocolate bites – both sweet and savory! – will be created by the Delgado students with chocolate donated by Callebaut Chocolate.

The event is a live competition. Each student will be judged by guests and local chefs on their chocolate-inspired dishes, with first- and second-place honors awarded in both the People’s Choice and Judges Choice categories. Winners will receive scholarships and cash prizes.

"Those who attend are in for a unique and memorable experience full of wonderful sights, scents, sounds and tastes, all while supporting breast cancer research at Tulane Cancer Center," said Hillery Moise, who co-chairs the event with Chris Costello.

What to Expect
As they arrive, each guest will be greeted with a flute of their preferred beverage* (save your glass for refills!) and a special plate to hold their flute and chocolate bites. They will then visit each chocolate station and be served a sample of the students’ chocolate creations.** When the tasting is done, guests are asked to vote for their favorite sweet and savory dishes.

Attendees will also enjoy live music performed by the Delgado Jazz Combo, a fabulous pink photo station, and raffles to include a stunning pair of diamond earrings, donated by Diamonds Direct, and a champagne gift basket. As a thank you, each guest will also receive a parting chocolate treat, compliments of Delgado Community College and Callebaut.

Tickets
VIP tickets cost $100 each and allow early entry into the event at 5:30 PM, as well as an opportunity to mingle with the local celebrity chefs and the 2022 Sweet Survivors. VIP ticket holders will receive special takeaways as well.

General admission tickets cost $60 in advance and $75 on the day of the event. Entry for general admission ticket holders is at 6:30 PM.

Please note, tickets are limited and generally sell out in advance of the event. So get yours today by clicking here.

The Venue
Death by Chocolate...NOT Breast Cancer will once again be held at Schoen Mansion on Canal Street. The exquisite features of this city landmark – including the unique architecture, fine furnishings, spectacular chandeliers, fireplace mantels, and beautiful gardens – provide an elegant setting for this fun, exciting and decadent event.

Parking is available behind the mansion, in the parking lot across the rear street (Iberville), in the parking lot of the building next to the mansion (3801 Canal) and throughout the neighborhood. Enter from Canal by way of N Scott or down Iberville and look for parking attendants wearing pink hats, who will be able to direct you to the closest spot.

*Non-alcoholic beverages are available.

**Common allergens in each item served will be posted for those with food allergies, and a list of ingredients is available upon request.

All current COVID-19 protocols will be observed.
Tickets
VIP - $100 Advance Only
General - $60 In Advance,
$75 Day Of
To purchase, please click
here.
Dress Code
Festive Cocktail!
Feel free to wear wigs, boas or whatever helps you feel festive! Wearing pink is a plus!
Parking
Available behind the mansion and in adjacent lots. Parking attendants wearing pink hats will direct you.