The 2021 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting is taking place virtually in two parts. The AACR Virtual Annual Meeting Part I will be held April 10-15 and Part II will be held May 17-21. The AACR Annual Meeting program covers the latest discoveries across the spectrum of cancer research—from population science and prevention; to cancer biology, translational, and clinical studies; to survivorship and advocacy—and highlights the work of the best minds in research and medicine from institutions all over the world.

The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC) has compiled lists of presentations, posters and more from Cleveland-based institutions and wish the best of luck to all presenters! We encourage you to sign up for the meeting and block time to hear some of the exciting research presentations and support your colleagues.

The 2021 Annual Scientific Retreat for members and trainees is scheduled for July 22-23, 2021 and will again be virtual due to university gathering restrictions. This year's retreat features an expanded agenda that mirrors our prior in-person retreats, highlighting research across each of our scientific programs.

KeyBank Professor and Professor and Chair, Department of Organizational Behavior, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University

Vincent K. Smith Chair in Radiation Oncology,

University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center

(effective May 1, 2021)

Chief Research & Academic Officer, Cleveland Clinic

We are also looking forward to a keynote presentation from Zihai Li, MD, PhD on Friday, July 23. Dr. Li is the founding director of the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology and the Klotz Chair in Cancer Research at The Ohio State University.

All students, postdocs and fellows conducting cancer research are invited to submit abstracts for two opportunities to present their research during the retreat: 1) poster presentation and 2) oral presentation. Cancer Center leadership will review abstracts based on the relationship to cancer, novelty, significance of findings and clarity.

From Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute: A research team led by Stephanie Schmit, PhD, MPH, Genomic Medicine Institute, has found that immune cell infiltration of colorectal cancer (CRC) tumors can predict disease relapse in patients who undergo surgery with curative intent. Published in OncoImmunology, the findings may help lead to more targeted post-operative surveillance strategies, which ultimately would improve prognosis for CRC patients at high risk for relapse. Dr. Schmit is a member of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center's Cancer Prevention, Control & Population Research Program.

From University Hospitals: Quintin Pan, PhD and colleagues at University Hospitals (UH) Seidman Cancer Center have identified biomarker immunoglobulin J polypeptide (IGJ), uniquely expressed in plasma cells, predicts early disease-specific mortality among HPV-positive patients with HNSCC. The team published its findings recently in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer. Dr. Pan, Deputy Director of Research at UH Seidman Cancer Center and Co-Leader of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center's Molecular Oncology Program, says he hopes these findings will help inform decisions about which HNSCC patients should be candidates for the treatment de-escalation strategies currently under investigation for HPV-positive patients

We are pleased to announce the upcoming launch of TCR repertoire sequencing as a core service offered by the Discovery Laboratory of the Center for Immunotherapy and Precision Immuno-Oncology (CITI).

The Discovery Lab provides state-of-the-art TCR-beta sequencing right here in Northeast Ohio. These services permits investigators to characterize TCR diversity and identify operative TCR receptors in diseases. In partnership with our Immunomonitoring Lab (IML) we empower investigators to conduct studies that are aimed at dissecting immunity in a wide range of settings.

The services provided by the Discovery Laboratory and Immunomonitoring Lab of CITI are available to scientists, clinicians, and investigators at Cleveland Clinic, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case School of Medicine, UH/Seidman Cancer Center, and industry collaborators. CITI will partner with you to design analytic plans. For information about the services in TCR sequencing lab please click here or send an email to CITIIML@ccf.org.

Join our team! The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC) is currently seeking qualified candidates for the following staff roles:

The Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer Genetics Program at The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, with affiliates University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Cleveland Clinic, also invites applications for tenure track/tenured faculty positions at the level of Assistant, Associate or Full Professor.

Applications are also welcomed for a faculty position at the level of Assistant or Associate with a cancer disparities research agenda that builds upon our efforts to address cancer disparities in our catchment area, with a particular focus on determinants of disparities due to race/ethnicity, socioeconomic circumstance, and/or residence in rural communities.

Available award: Up to $120,000 for one year

Available award: $75,000 for 18 months

Available award: $180,000 for 18 months

Available award: $50,000

Available award: $50,000

Available award: $25,000 for one year

Available award: up to $150,000

The NCCN Oncology Research Program (ORP) is organized to obtain funding to support scientifically meritorious research studies (clinical trials) at NCCN Member Institutions.

There are currently three open requests for proposals:

The Kidney Cancer Association is accepting applications for its 4 Young Investigator Awards (YIAs), 2 Advanced Discovery Awards (ADAs), and (New!) Psychosocial Focus Award.

Three types of grants are available: