Mount Sinai Cancer has a new first, thanks to a partnership between the
Department of Urology
and
Man Cave Health
: a sports-themed center for men focused on prostate health. The goal is to encourage men to be comfortable getting health care services, and importantly, to be screened for prostate cancer. The earlier prostate cancer is detected, the more treatable it is.
According to the
American Cancer Society
, about one in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men and is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men.
Yet, men typically seek medical attention at lower rates than women. “Men take better care of their cars than they do their bodies, and that needs to change,” says
The “man cave” facility, located at 625 Madison Avenue, features a collaborative team of professionals who provide the latest in prostate cancer detection and treatment, along with education and emotional support in a setting designed to put men at ease.
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Three members of The Tisch Cancer Institute have been named 2019 Jacobi Medallion Honorees:
The Jacobi Medallion is the highest honor bestowed by The Mount Sinai Alumni Association. It honors members of the Mount Sinai community who have made exceptional contributions to the fields of clinical medicine or biomedical research, or have exemplified extraordinary dedication to the alumni association.
The award ceremony will be held on March 14 at The Plaza Hotel.
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Red Cell Biology presentation at annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology
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Molecular model of EKLF protein (green ribbon) interacting with DNA (white backbone) through specific amino acid sidechains (yellow). Orange spheres = zinc atoms.
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Dr. Bieker’s laboratory
identified EKLF (erythroid Kruppel-like factor), an erythroid-specific gene, demonstrating that it is an essential component required for
globin
switching. It is the founding member (KLF1) of a family of seventeen proteins, some of which have been implicated in suppression of specific subsets of cancers.
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The Genetic and Epigenetic Causes of BRCAness in Breast Cancer Patients of Caribbean Origins
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Paz Polak, PhD
, received grant funding from the
V Foundation for Cancer Research
for “The Genetic and Epigenetic Causes of BRCAness in Breast Cancer Patients of Caribbean origins and the Impact on Outcome, ” to be conducted in collaboration with the
Dubin Breast Center
of The Tisch Cancer Institute. The goal is to explore mutations in genes like BRCA1/2
that
cause breast cancer and impact response to treatment in Caribbean Americans, who have ancestors of African, Amerindian and European ethnicity. The knowledge gained will inform
improved
choices of targeted therapy for individuals of Caribbean descent.
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Targeting Intrinsic and Immune Mechanisms in Persistent Dormant Cancer Cells in Stage IV Breast Cancer
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Julio Aguirre-Ghiso, PhD
, received a Translational Research Award from
METAvivor Research and Support Inc.
, a non-profit organization dedicated to funding research for Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, for “Targeting Intrinsic and Immune Mechanisms in Persistent Dormant Cancer Cells in Stage IV Breast Cancer.” The project will focus on using novel blockers of survival pathways in dormant cancer cells to kill them and combine these new molecules with chemotherapy that targets proliferative lesions in stage IV cancer models. Eradicating dormant cancer cells (not targeted by chemotherapy) at the same time as targeting proliferative metastasis is expected to significantly extend survival and delay time to relapse in stage IV disease.
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Identifying Immune Mechanisms for Microbiota-inhibition of Anti-PD-L1 Tumor Response
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Josh Borgerding, research phase MD/PhD student at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, received a
National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship for “Identifying Immune Mechanisms for Microbiota-inhibition of Anti-PD-L1 Tumor Response.” The project aims to
dissect the microbiota-dependence of several immune compartments in B16 melanoma lesions treated with anti-PD-L1, provide a better understanding of how the intestinal microbiota regulates peripheral immune activity, and uncover possible mechanisms through which human microbial communities can be modified to improve cancer patient outcomes with immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Josh works in the laboratories of
Jeremiah Faith, PhD
, and
Miriam Merad, MD, PhD
.
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Role of FOXO1 Mutations in the Pathogenesis of B-cell non-Hodgkin Lymphomas
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FOCUS ON DIVERSITY AND EDUCATION
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Diversity is the focus of a new subcommittee of the TCI Education and Career Development Committee, chaired by
Janice Gabrilove, MD, PhD, TCI’s Associate Director of Education and Training. Meeting for the first time this month, the subcommittee will address strategies to improve representation at the TCI Seminar series of underrepresented minority scientists, both basic and clinical, whose research is aligned with TCI programmatic strengths. The subcommittee is also charged with identifying target pilot initiatives and funding opportunities to enhance careers for trainees with diverse backgrounds that are not well represented in science, medicine, and cancer research.
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Opportunity to Mentor Youth in Cancer Research
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LZTR1 is a regulator of RAS ubiquitination and signaling
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Based on genetic screens aimed at understanding drug resistance mechanisms in chronic myeloid leukemia cells, the authors report on a molecular rationale for involvement of the cullin 3 adapter protein-encoding leucine zipper-like transcription regulator 1 (LZTR1) gene in regulation of RAS proteins in a variety of inherited and acquired human disorders.
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Cooperative Transcription Factor Induction Mediates
Hemogenic Reprogramming
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Findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms of human hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) specification and support generation of reprogrammed HSCs for clinical applications.
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Integration of Pan-Cancer Transcriptomics with RPPA Proteomics reveals Mechanisms of Epithelial-Mesenchymal transition
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Profiling molecular and phenotypic characteristics of large collections of cancer cell lines can be used to identify distinct and common oncogenic pathways across cancer types. Integrating newly generated protein data with prior transcriptomic data reveals that pan-cancer cell lines organize into a gradient of epithelial to mesenchymal types and that many of the measured proteins and transcripts act as molecular switches. Better understanding of these regulatory mechanisms can lead to improved targeted therapeutics.
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Blood Transfusion Management for Patients Treated With Anti-CD38 Monoclonal Antibodies
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Anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies such as daratumumab are highly efficacious therapies for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. Because these therapies can interfere with blood compatibility testing, causing delays in patient care, it is critical to optimize clinical and laboratory procedures. The authors provide a guide to clinical management with a focus on patient safety.
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In Memoriam: James Frederick Holland, 1925 to 2018
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“Jim did not just do great things; he often invented them! He was a key member of a small circle of pioneers who created modern cancer medicine, essentially from scratch. Moreover, they accomplished this against the prevailing wisdom of the time that cancers would never succumb to medicines.”
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Uveal melanoma, the most common intraocular tumor in adults, often metastasizes to the liver. Findings show that an inhibitor of the protein Gα11, FR900359 (FR), inhibits oncogenic signaling in uveal melanoma cells expressing either mutant Gαq or Gα11, resulting in cell cycle arrest and eventual cell death. This suggests the potential use of oncogenic Gαq/11 inhibitors such as FR in the treatment of uveal melanoma.
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Familial Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
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Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), although a rare disease, has a poor prognosis. Focused screening of individuals that are at high risk of developing PDAC because of modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors may improve timing of detection, disease
morbidity
, and mortality. A better understanding of the pathologic mechanisms of inflammation,
cell proliferation
, and decreased
apoptosis
that lead to PDAC in high-risk individuals may help guide the development of screening methods and thus improve outcomes.
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Advice on the value of biostatistical collaboration
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Authors
Madhu Mazumdar, PhD
,
Xiaoyu Song, PhD
, and
Lihua Li, PhD
, are with the Institute for Healthcare Delivery Science, The Tisch Cancer Institute Biostatistics Shared Facility, Center for Biostatistics, Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
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Collaboration on Cancer and Related Challenges in our NYC Communities
In concert with the commitment of The Tisch Cancer Institute (TCI) to address cancer needs of communities in our catchment area as well as the diverse neighborhoods throughout the Mount Sinai Health System, TCI has launched two new collaborative efforts:
The
New York City Cancer Center Consortium, under the leadership of
Nina Bickell, MD, MPH, Co-Director of the Center for Health Equity and Community Engaged Research, and
Bruce Rapkin, PhD, with Albert Einstein College of Medicine, aims to better understand key cancer-related issues that affect our communities. These data will inform future interventions. The Consortium includes colleagues from City University of New York, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Kings County Hospital Center of NYC Health & Hospitals, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Montefiore Medical Center, NYU Langone Health, Northwell Health, and Weill Cornell Medical Center.
The Cancer Care Accelerator, led by Dr. Bickell and
Lina Jandorf, MA, was established as a think tank for the generation of new ideas and collaborations related to addressing cancer disparities in the neighboring communities we serve. The group comprises community advocates, patients, researchers, community providers, and public health officials.
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Comprehensive Services at Mount Sinai Doctors Long Island in Greenlawn
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Infusion Suite Ribbon Cutting at Mount Sinai St. Luke's
January 29
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Breast Health Screening and Education
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The Mount Sinai Queens Breast Health program provides comprehensive clinical breast exams and mammograms to women 40 years of age and older. There is no charge to eligible patients.
Upcoming Wednesdays from 5 to 7 pm:
January 30, February 27, March 27,
April 24
Mount Sinai Queens Family Health Associates, 31-60 21
st
Street, Astoria, NY 11106
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Dubin Breast Center Tribute
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The Dubin Breast Center of The Tisch Cancer Institute held its eighth annual benefit on Monday, December 10, 2018, at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan. The evening honored sisters Melissa Spohler and Meredith Shepherd, and their mother Priscilla Alexander—all breast cancer survivors—for their advocacy for breast cancer patients.
Amy Tiersten, MD, Clinical Director of Breast Medical Oncology at The Mount Sinai Hospital and Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology, was recognized for her commitment to breast cancer research.
Eva Andersson-Dubin, MD, founder of the center and a Mount Sinai Trustee, and
Elisa Port, MD, FACS, Director, presented the awards. The Dubin Breast Center, established in 2011, provides integrated care and services for every phase of breast health, from prevention to survivorship.
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Frontiers in Oncology - March 5 - Save the Date
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Joy and Jack Fishman Professor
Tri-Institutional Professor
The Rockefeller University
regulating gene expression.
Tuesday, March 5
Noon to 1 pm
Hess Center for Science and Medicine
1470 Madison Ave, 2nd Floor
Davis Auditorium
Refreshments will be served.
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Do you need a headshot for your web profile?
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The next photo session will be held on
Monday,
January 28.
Guggenheim Atrium, 1468 Madison Avenue
9 am to 4:30 pm (except between 1 and 1:30 pm)
No appointment needed. Bring a USB flash drive if you would like to take your photos with you. Make sure you have your ID badge.
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Do you have news for the next issue of
TCI Connections
?
Remember to share
breaking news
and
high impact news
that might be appropriate for media coverage with Marlene Naanes in the Press Office. This may include pending FDA drug/device approvals, studies/trial results being published in high-impact journals, and patient stories. The more lead time you can give Marlene, the better—ideally, four weeks or when a paper is accepted by the journal. Embargoes will always be honored and news will only be released with your approval.
Marlene.Naanes@mountsinai.org
, 929-237-5802
TCI ON TWITTER @TischCancer
You can help increase our exposure:
1. Open our tweets
2. Click on links in our tweets
3. Retweet and like our tweets
4. Tag us: @TischCancer
5. Follow us
6. Send information for tweets to Janet Aronson and Rhaisili Rosario
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Ramon Parsons, MD, PhD, TCI Director
Co-editors: Janet Aronson and Rhaisili Rosario
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