Committed to Excellence in Cancer Research, Education and Patient Care
Inroads
December 2019
Our Year in Review
2019 was a year of great progress for the Tulane Cancer Center, as we continued our mission to be a world-class center of discovery and translation, and a leader in patient-focused clinical cancer care.
Our Scientists Made Impactful Discoveries...
Exploring "Dark Matter of Genomes" Could Shed Light on Cancer Risk
The Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation awarded Tulane Cancer Center researcher Victoria Belancio, PhD, a three-year, $150,000 grant to support her investigations into rarely studied genetic elements that contribute to cancer. Learn more.
Researcher Awarded $1.8 Million NCI Grant to Study New Targets for Rare Pediatric Cancer
Sean Lee, PhD , associate professor of pathology, was awarded a five-year, $1.8 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to investigate possible new targets for treating desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT), a rare pediatric cancer. Learn more.
Flemington Team Awarded
$2.3 Million For Virus-Related Malignancies Research
Erik Flemington, PhD , professor of pathology and Zimmerman Professor of Cancer Research, and his team received two National Cancer Institute grants to investigate how circular non-coding RNAs contribute to Epstein-Barr herpesvirus (EBV)-associated cancers. Learn more.
Cancer Cells Turn to Cannibalism to Survive Chemotherapy
Tulane researchers discovered some cancer cells survive chemotherapy by eating their neighboring tumor cells. The study, published in the  Journal of Cell Biology, suggests this act of cannibalism provides these cancer cells with the energy they need to stay alive and initiate tumor relapse after the course of treatment is completed. Learn more.
Tulane Study Reveals Dim Light at Night May Promote Breast Cancer Metastasis to Bone
Muralidharan Anbalagan, PhD , assistant professor of structural and cellular biology, showed for the first time in a mouse study that exposure to artificial dim light at night may contribute to the spread of breast cancer to the bones. Learn more.
Researcher's Publication Honored as "Top 100" by Scientific Reports
Asim Abdel-Mageed, DVM, PhD , was honored by Scientific Reports for authoring one of the top 100 accessed oncology papers for that journal in 2018. His article reveals the results of research supported by a $4.2 million NIH grant to use a high-volume robotic screening technique to investigate drugs already approved by the FDA to treat a large variety of diseases or conditions to see which, if any, could also be effective in preventing prostate cancer metastasis. Learn more.
Tulane Researcher is Editor of Journal Issue Honoring
40th Anniversary of
Key Cancer Discovery
Leading p53 researcher Hua Lu, MB, PhD, was chosen to edit a special edition of a medical journal dedicated to the history of p53 research. It’s the most important suppressor of growth in cancer tumors and the most intensively studied molecule in biomedical research, yet scientists are still unraveling the mysteries of p53 almost 40 years after its discovery. Learn more.
Our Clinicians Delivered Expert Multidisciplinary, Research-Driven Care...
Study Finds Genetic Risks Associated With Prostate Cancer are Underestimated
More than 17 percent of prostate cancer patients are born with genetic variants that can be associated with a higher risk for various cancers, according to a study in  JAMA Oncology   by researchers from Tulane University School of Medicine and genetics firm Invitae. Lead study author Dr. Oliver Sartor says the study provides support for expanding testing to include an increased number of prostate cancer patients. Learn more.
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month - "Screening Saves Lives"
Approximately one in 20 people will get colorectal cancer (CRC). Approximately 51,000 people per year die from CRC, and screening could save more than half of them. The truth is anyone - not just those with a family history - can get this disease, which is why Dr. Jordan Karlitz , reminds everyone that screening saves lives. Learn more.
Tulane Lakeside Hospital Now Offering 3D Breast Biopsy
Tulane Lakeside Hospital is one of the first facilities in the region to offer 3D-guided breast biopsy, an advanced, minimally invasive technique that provides a sample of tissue that doctors use to identify and diagnose breast abnormalities.  Learn more.
Study Finds Potential Role for Personality Psychology in
Cancer Care
Men who are neurotic or introverted are more likely to be distressed after their prostate cancer diagnosis, according to a study led by Laura Perry, a Tulane doctoral student in health psychology . The findings suggest those personality traits are important factors in how men responded to bad health news. Learn more.
16 Tulane Cancer Center Faculty Named "Top Docs" by
New Orleans Magazine
New Orleans Magazine’s annual “Top Doctors” issue named 16 Tulane Cancer Center faculty as tops in their respective fields, including six who were among the area’s best hematology/ medical oncology specialists. Learn more.
New Multidisciplinary
Prostate Cancer Clinic Enhances Care / Convenience
Tulane Health System recently created the Tulane Multidisciplinary Prostate Cancer Clinic, which brings patients and family members together with medical oncologists, urologic surgeons and radiation treatment specialists to discuss all possible treatment options in one convenient visit. Learn more.
We Welcomed Highly Trained New Faculty!
Among Them...
New Gynecologic Oncologist Aims to Reduce Cervical Cancer Rates in NOLA
In January, Tulane Cancer Center welcomed gynecologic oncologist Jessica Shank, MD, who aims - among other goals - to help reduce New Orleans's alarming cervical cancer rate - more than double that of the rest of the country - by raising awareness of the importance of regular Pap smear screening and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Learn more.
Improving Access to Care Top Priority for New Genitourinary Cancers Expert
Dr. Pedro Barata , medical oncologist specializing in genitourinary cancers, said improving access to care is just one of several goals he has to expand Tulane's GU Program. Other priorities include developing the regional presence of the program, offering clinical trials for every stage of bladder cancer, and implementing genetic testing for all new kidney and bladder cancer patients. Learn more.
Tulane School of Medicine Welcomes Neuro-Oncologist Christopher Trevino, MD
"I am humbled daily to work with patients with neurologic disease; their courage and perseverance motivate me. As a teacher and guide, we navigate together the most difficult challenges they face." That's how Dr. Christopher Trevino views his role. As a neuro-oncologist, he diagnoses and treats patients with primary and metastatic tumors of the brain and spine, and also manages the neurologic complications of cancer and cancer treatments. Learn more.
And Our Supporters Stood With Us Every Day...
Joe W. & Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation Grant Supports Training of Aspiring Female Scientists
Dr. Victoria Belancio received a $78,000 grant from The Joe W. & Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation to support her program to provide bioinformatics training experiences to female high school students interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers. Learn more.
Greenberg Family Endowment Boosts Fight Against Prostate Cancer
Mark S. Greenberg was honored through an endowment established by his family.
The fund will support the pioneering work of Dr. Oliver Sartor, medical director of Tulane Cancer Center, in his mission to research and find a cure for
prostate cancer. Learn more.
Student athletes and coaches from Archbishop Chapelle, Cabrini, Mount Carmel Academy, St. Mary's Dominican, St. Scholastica Academy, Archbishop Shaw and Loyola University raised $38,505 - and a cumulative $155,000 since 2013 - through their annual Pink Games. These dollars support Tulane Cancer Center's Patient Relief Fund, which provides much-needed assistance to cancer patients in financial need.
The 6th Annual Gunning for a Cure Sporting Clays Fundraiser was a huge success, raising approximately $277,000 - and over $1 million cumulatively - to benefit Dr. Oliver Sartor's Prostate Cancer Research Fund. Our deepest thanks to the organizing committee members, sponsors, in-kind donors and other supporters who helped to achieve this record-breaking result!
One Man Can Make a Difference! That's been the motto of the One Man Shoot Sporting Clays Fundraiser since its inception eight years ago. And in the time since, several good men and women have worked hard to make a huge difference in the fight against prostate cancer, helping to raise awareness and important research funds - $135,000 this year and just over $1.27 million cumulatively - for Dr. Oliver Sartor's research.
Krewe de Pink , a local non-profit founded by individuals who have been impacted by breast cancer, presented a check for $35,000 to support the research of Bridgette Collins-Burow, MD, PhD, and her team into triple negative breast cancer. To date, KDP has donated a cumulative $100,000 to the Collins-Burow lab through their fundraisers - the Pink Bra Run, the Pink Prom and - new next year! - Death by Chocolate.
Organizers of the Ninth Annual  Blue Ribbon Soirée are closing in on the
$1 million mark in money raised for prostate cancer research and awareness. Their October 3 gala raised a record $155,000 this year, and the planning committee fully expects to cross the $1 million threshold at next year’s 10th Anniversary event.
Although we had to dodge a little rain at times, the Sixth Annual NOLA Bluedoo , held in conjunction with the New Orleans Track Club, was a huge success , raising $143,178 for Tulane's Prostate Cancer Research Program this year and approximately $890,000 since 2014! The event also celebrated survivorship and raised awareness of the importance of early detection in the fight against prostate cancer.
At their 19th Annual Celebration of Life Luncheon, the Cancer Crusaders honored 13 local cancer survivors who serve as inspirations to others not only through their cancer battles but also through their contributions to the community. 2018 co-presidents Celia Deininger and Cindy Wooderson also presented Drs. Augusto Ochoa, director of LSU’s Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, and Prescott Deininger, director of the Tulane Cancer Center, with a check for $171,521.22, representing the results of the organization's many fundraising efforts last year. Since 1978, Cancer Crusaders has donated over $5 million to Tulane and LSU.
"On behalf of the faculty, staff and patients of the Tulane Cancer Center, I thank our community for your passion and support throughout the past year. We look forward, with your continued help, to making 2020 another year of game-changing scientific discovery and life-saving clinical cancer care."


Prescott Deininger, PhD
Director,
Tulane Cancer Center
Please Joins Us In Making New Inroads Against Cancer Next Year...
DO YOU HAVE A TICKET TO DRIVE?
GET INTO GEAR & SUPPORT PROSTATE CANCER RESEARCH!
 
  • Proceeds benefit Tulane Cancer Center's Prostate Cancer Research Program.

  • One lucky winner will receive the grand prize - a GMC Canyon Pickup.

  • Raffle tickets are $100 each and a maximum of 500 will be sold.

  • Tickets can be purchased via credit card only at


  • The winner will be selected in a random drawing on June 1, 2020, and need not be present to win.
 
Good luck and thanks for your support!
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Stella Plantation
4881 Highway 39
Braithwaite, LA 70040
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Riverside Sporting Clays
52400 Highway 16
Denham Springs, LA 70706

Tulane offers free prostate screenings - a PSA blood test - on the second Tuesday of each month at Tulane Comprehensive Cancer Clinic, 150 S. Liberty St., New Orleans. To make an appointment, call 504-988-6300 or 1-800-588-5800.