JANUARY 17, 2020

News from the NCI

NCI FY2020 Budget - Increase in Paylines and Research Awards Dr. Ned Sharpless, Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), shared an update on the NCI’s plan to use the recently appropriated $297 million budget increase for FY 2020. With this increase, NCI will dedicate more than $210 million to support extramural research and training at institutions across the U.S., extend current paylines, and update competing and noncompeting grants policies. Specific plans include: Increase R01 grant paylines to 10%, the first time NCI has hit double-digit paylines since 2017 Continue to prioritize early stage investigators with a 15% payline and opportunities for the most meritorious applications to extend funding for an additional 2 years Increase the R21 payline to the 9th percentile, up from the 7th percentile in FY 2019 Support non-competing grants at 100%.

View Sharpless' message

Member/Center Highlights

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Gerds named Medical Director, Clinical Research Office Aaron Gerds, MD, MS has been named the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center's new Clinical Research Office Medical Director as of January 2020, following the departure of Jorge Garcia, MD in December 2019. As Co-PI of the LAPS grant, Dr. Gerds is well-versed in the clinical trials environment at the Case CCC. We look forward to his leadership in the strategic operations and support of all clinical trials at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Join Team Case CCC in VeloSano 2020! The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC) is honored to once again participate in VeloSano, a year-round fundraising initiative and "Bike to Cure" weekend to support lifesaving cancer research. Our continuing goal is to bring sustainable funding to cancer research by enlisting the passion and energy of thousands of people who wish to give back... including YOU! We raised nearly $94,000 in 2019 and every dollar goes directly toward cancer research.

This is the center's sixth year participating in VeloSano, and in those six years, more than $1,000,000 of VeloSano fundraising totals have come back to the Case CCC to award researchers as pilot funding for cancer research projects. The Case CCC will provide complimentary registration fees and jerseys again this year. Contact team captains Caroline El Sanadi or Mary Wright for the registration fee waiver code to sign up! While registration is complimentary, all riders are responsible for meeting the minimum fundraising commitment associated with the distance they ride. Fundraising can begin as soon as you register to ride and continues through October 1, 2020. Registration is open now and information about volunteering for our cheer station and supporting our team through sponsorship will be available soon!

Learn more about VeloSano 7 and joining or supporting Team Case CCC

Immuno-Oncology Seminar Series Returns All are cordially invited to join us for the second round of the Immuno-Oncology Seminar Series in the spring of 2020. Seminars will take place from 11am-12pm in the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute building, NE1-202. Please note the change in location for the series and mark your calendars for the seminars below! We look forward to seeing you.

On Thursday, Feb 13, our speaker is Tyler Curiel, MD, MPH, Professor and the Daisy M. Skinner President’s Chair in Cancer Immunology Research, at the University of Texas, San Antonio, TX. Dr. Curiel’s research group studies the immunopathologic basis of human disease. The current focus is understanding immune dysregulation in cancer and develop novel cancer immunotherapies. Immunopathogenic pathway studies now also include immune co-signaling, age effects on immunity and immunotherapy, and immunopathogenesis of autoimmune disease. On May 14, our speaker is Weiping Zou, MD, PhD, from the University of Michigan School of Medicine. Dr. Zou’s research group studies multiple areas of Tumor Immunology, focusing on the human cancer microenvironment and has studied the cross-talk among immune cell subsets, tumor cells, and tumor stem cells in the tumor microenvironment, and its impact on tumor immunity, suppression, and therapy. On June 11, our speaker is Zihai Li, MD, PhD, Professor and Founding Director for the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, from Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. Dr. Li’s research has made seminal contributions to understanding the immunological properties of heat shock proteins in cancer immunotherapy and immune tolerance. They have pioneered the use of autologous, tumor-derived HSP70-peptide complex for the immunotherapy of leukemia; and discovered that gp96, a paralog in the endoplasmic reticulum, is the master molecular chaperone for Toll-like receptors (TLRs).

Carraway appointed Vice Chair, ASH Committee on Training The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center extends congratulations to Cleveland Clinic hematologist Hetty Carraway, MD, MBA for her recent appointment to vice chair of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Committee on Training. Dr. Carraway’s research at Cleveland Clinic is focused on experimental therapeutics of acute leukemias and myeloproliferative diseases. She is also Vice Chair of Strategy and Enterprise Development at Taussig Cancer Institute and a member of the Case CCC's Hematopoietic and Immune Cancer Biology Program.

What's Coming Up

Mon, Jan 20 CWRU Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day Tues, Jan 21 Cancer Impact Lecture 1p NE1-205 Cancer Drug Discovery and Resistance 3p WRB 1-422D Weds, Jan 22 CANCELLED: Cancer Center Special Seminar Ksenia Matlawska-Wasowska, PhD 4p WRB 2-136 ASH Review Details 5:15-6:45p Intercontinental Thurs, Jan 23 D  evelopmental Therapeutics Journal Club 9a NE6-218 Immunology Journal Club Micah Harland 12p WRB 5-136 Molecular Biology and Microbiology Seminar 1p SOM W203 Molecular Oncology Program-Wide Meeting Details 5-7p WRB 1-422D Fri, Jan 24 Taussig Cancer Institute Grand Rounds 8a CA5-120 UH Seidman Cancer Center Grand Rounds 8a Wearn 137 Cancer Center Seminar Series Fulai Jin, PhD 12p WRB Auditorium

Mon, Jan 27 GMI Seminar Series Roshan Padmanabhan, PhD 12p NE1-205 Tues, Jan 28 Cancer Impact Lecture 1p NE1-205 DNA Damage and Repair Working Group 1p NE1-205 Thurs, Jan 30 D  evelopmental Therapeutics Journal Club 9a NE6-218 Immunology Journal Club Zachary Jackson 12p WRB 5-136 Molecular Biology and Microbiology Seminar 1p SOM W203 Fri, Jan 17 Taussig Cancer Institute Grand Rounds Choon Hyuck David Kwon, MD, PhD 8a CA5-120 Cancer Center Seminar Series Lily Wang, PhD 12p WRB Auditorium

Case CCC Calendar

LRI Calendar

Mark Your Calendar

Cancer Center Seminar Series January 17, 12p WRB Auditorium Our weekly seminar series features Michel Tremblay, PhD at noon today in the auditorium of the Wolstein Research Building. Dr. Tremblay is the James McGill Distinguished Professor and Jeanne and J. -Louis Levesque Chair in Cancer Research at the Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University. He is also Director of the McGill Regenerative Medicine Network and a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. On behalf of the Case CCC's GI Cancer Genetics Program, Dr. Tremblay will present, "Understanding Tyrosine Phosphatases Toward Their Application in Cancer Therapeutics." Watch Live at Noon Cancer Center Seminar Series January 24, 12p WRB Auditorium Next week's cancer center seminar will be presented by Fulai Jin, PhD on behalf of the Molecular Oncology Program Dr. Jin is an assistant professor of genetics and genome sciences as well as population and quantitative health sciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He is also a member of the Case CCC's Molecular Oncology Program. He will present, "Robust Mapping of Enhancer-Promoter Interactions with Low-Input or Single-Cell Hi-C" at noon in the WRB Auditorium. View the Seminar Series Schedule

4th Annual Cancer Disparities Symposium March 6, 2020 Tinkham Veale University Center The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center Office of Cancer Disparities Research will present the   4th Annual Cancer Disparities Symposium : Cultivating Science and Community Engagement to Address Cancer Health Disparities on March 6, 2020.  The agenda is now posted and will feature sessions on Cancer Disparities and Underserved Populations, Community Engagement and Support Programs, and Cancer Disparities Research and Community Engagement, plus invited presentations selected from standout abstract submissions. Keynote talks from Robert T. Croyle, PhD from the National Cancer Institute and Lucio Miele, MD, PhD from Louisiana State University cap-off the day's innovative agenda. Register Now for the Cancer Disparities Symposium Save The Date: Cancer Stem Cell Conference 2020 August 4-6, 2020 Tinkham Veale University Center The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and the National Center for Regenerative Medicine invite you to save the date for CSC 2020! Now in its fourth year, CSC 2020 will feature renowned thought leaders in the field of cancer stem cell research. This conference is guaranteed to offer cutting-edge keynote presentations from a variety of niches within the field. Join world-class investigators for this three-day summit and network with scientists and clinicians advancing cancer stem cell research and therapeutic applications.  Registration will open in February 2020. Sign up to receive updates on CSC 2020

Additional Upcoming Events

ASH Review January 22, 2020 5:15-6:45p Intercontinental Hotel, Cleveland This course will provide hematologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and nurses with current data and information on topics presented at the American Society of Hematology 61st Annual Meeting in Orlando on December 7-10, 2019. Register for the ASH Review by Monday, January 20 Breast Cancer Update: Review of Breast Cancer Symposia February 12, 2020 11:45a-4:15p Embassy Suites, Independence This review course will summarize highlights from the national breast cancer meetings, with a focus on the clinical implications of the new information presented at these meetings. Medical oncologists, breast surgeons, radiation oncologists, women’s health, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, residents and fellows and other health care providers with an interest in the management of patients with breast cancer should attend this course. Register for the update by Monday, February 10

2020 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Update February 14-15, 2020 Fort Lauderdale, FL This course will provide practicing physicians, residents, fellows, and nurses in medical oncology, otolaryngology, radiation oncology, and head and neck surgery with a contemporary update of management strategies of head and neck cancer using a multidisciplinary approach. Lecture and panels will provide a forum for discussion of updated therapies and new treatment innovations. Register for the update by Monday, February 10 NCCN 2020 Annual Conference March 20-22, 2020 Orlando, FL Register for the Annual Conference

Funding Opportunities

Opportunities for Developmental Research Proposals in Head and Neck Cancer Research Deadline: March 2, 2020 The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center is providing seed funding for up to two (2) highly innovative head and neck cancer-focused proposals that will generate key data for a future P50 application under the umbrella of the National Cancer Institute "Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs)." The P50 pilot grants will support feasibility and planning activities to build comprehensive and translational head and neck cancer research programs. All applications must propose translational research that will contribute to improved prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and/or treatment of head and neck cancers. Award Description Up to $50,000 in direct costs for one year each with the possibility of second-year funding pending outstanding progress and development, subject to competitive review with all other pilot projects submitted at that time. Research projects should demonstrate the feasibility of completion within a 1-year timeline.

Request for Proposals for the Case Cancer Disparities Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) Deadline: January 20, 2020 The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center's Specialized Program of Research Excellence in Cancer Disparities (Disparities SPORE) invites all Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) faculty members to submit Concept Proposals for consideration to ultimately be incorporated as full projects in the Case Cancer Disparities SPORE P50 application. Opportunities will include: the possibility of funding as a full Project in the next year of the P20 Disparities SPORE; opportunities for start-up support from the Disparities SPORE pilot project program commencing September 2020; opportunities for inclusion as a full project proposed in the SPORE competing renewal proposal that will be submitted in September 2020.

V Foundation Call for Pediatric Cancer Research Grants Internal Deadline: January 20, 2020 The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center has been invited to submit an application for one of the V Foundation's 2020 Pediatric Cancer Research Grants, either the Pediatric-V Scholar Program or the Pediatric-Translational Program. Interested candidates should submit a one page LOI to casecccpilots@case.edu by Monday, January 20 with the following: Title Brief description of proposed project Aims

Case-Coulter Translational Research Partnership Deadline: February 25, 2020 Thee Case-Coulter Translational Research Partnership (CCTRP) is accepting applications for collaborative translational research projects that address unmet or poorly met clinical needs. The CCTRP seeks to reduce the market risk of promising new clinical products arising from the research programs of Biomedical Engineering (BME) and affiliated Case faculty. Successful projects will thus often focus on the development of prototype products, building relationships with companies, performing clinical feasibility studies, obtaining regulatory approval, and other activities that companies or business experts indicate are the essential last steps before a license can be negotiated or a startup launched. The CCTRP awards funding at 2 different levels,  pilot  and  full  projects: Pilot projects up to $25,000 can be applied for on a rolling basis but will be considered quarterly. Pilot projects will typically be for a six-month period with specific milestones defined with the intent of participation in the annual full Coulter award cycle. Full projects (up to $200,000, if well justified) will typically be for an initial one-year period with specific milestones defined on a quarterly basis.

View previously announced funding opportunities

In The News

Researchers uncover ‘novel drug target for glioblastoma’ Healio - Jan 10, 2020 “These findings are exciting because they put forth a new paradigm for glioma stem cell regulation,” said Justin Lathia, PhD, vice chair of the department of cardiovascular and metabolic sciences at Lerner Research Institute of Cleveland Clinic and Co-Leader of the Case CCC's Molecular Oncology Program.

A New Way To Help Black Smokers Quit ideastream - Jan 14, 2020 Pairing evidence-based strategies with culturally competent messages and visuals, the Case CCC's Associate Director for Cancer Disparities Research, Monica Webb Hooper, PhD, developed a text messaging program that could help move the needle on smoking rates in the black community.

From The NIH

Weekly NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices Notices Notice of a Pre-Application Webinar for RFA-CA-20-032, Radiobiology of High Linear Energy Transfer (High LET) Exposure in Cancer Treatment (R01, Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Notice of NHLBI Participation in PAR-19-343 "Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" Notice of NHLBI Participation in PAR-19-342 "Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Institutionally-Focused Research Education Award to Promote Diversity (UE5 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" Notice of Special Interest: Administrative Supplements to Support Collaborations with the NCI-supported PDX Development and Trial Centers Research Network (PDXNet) Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Use of Biological "High" or "Medium" Priority AIDS Research on Non-AIDS-defining or AIDS-defining Cancers Notice of Special Interest: Development of Statistical, Population Genetics and Computational Methods Related to Polygenic Prediction of Health and Disease in Diverse Populations Funding Opportunities Mechanisms of Disparities in Chronic Liver Diseases and Cancer (R21- Clinical Trial Not Allowed)(PAR-20-081) Deadlines: April 1, 2020, April 1, 2021, and April 1, 2022 Mechanisms of Disparities in Chronic Liver Diseases and Cancer (R01- Clinical Trial Not Allowed)(PAR-20-088) Deadlines: April 1, 2020, April 1, 2021, and April 1, 2022 View this week's bulletin

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