News

New Discoveries July 27, 2015

Advanced sarcoma patient treated with new targeted therapy

Lara E. Davis, MD (Damon Runyon-Sohn Fellow ‘12-‘15) of Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, and colleagues, described the first cancer patient treated in a Phase 1 clinical trial of LOXO-101, a novel drug that inhibits a protein called TRK. This patient had advanced soft tissue sarcoma which had metastasized to the lungs. Genetic analysis of the tumor indicated an alteration in the gene encoding TRK (tropomyosin receptor kinase). Following multiple unsuccessful courses of other treatments, the patient was treated with LOXO-101.

New Discoveries July 20, 2015

Linking gene expression and immune system to cancer survival

Ash Alizadeh, MD, PhD (Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator ‘14-‘17) of Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, and colleagues reported an analysis of gene expression profiles from ~18,000 human tumors with overall survival outcomes across 39 subtypes of cancer. They developed and applied CIBERSORT, a novel computational approach for associating immune system biomarkers with cancer survival.

New Discoveries July 13, 2015

Comprehensive genomic analysis of small cell lung cancers

Julien Sage, PhD (Fellowship Committee Member, Damon Runyon Scholar ‘05-‘07), of Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, with a team of international colleagues, sequenced the genomes of 110 small cell lung cancers (SCLC), one of the deadliest human cancers. These studies confirmed that loss of the two tumor suppressor genes, Rb and p53, is required for tumor initiation. Importantly, they also identified new therapeutic targets such as the Notch signaling pathway.

New Discoveries July 7, 2015

“Tumor Paint” receives FDA Orphan Drug Designation

James M. Olson, MD, PhD (Damon Runyon-Sohn Pediatric Cancer Fellowship Award Committee Member, Clinical Investigator ‘02-‘07), of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and the University of Washington, Seattle, developed “Tumor Paint” (BLZ-100) to allow surgeons to better see the tumor margins with high resolution in real time during surgery. This can aid surgeons in removing all of the cancerous tissue while sparing normal cells. A wide range of preclinical studies have demonstrated the potential of this technology.

New Discoveries July 1, 2015

Improved survival rate for patients with low-grade glioma brain cancers

Clark C. Chen, MD, PhD (Damon Runyon Fellow '04-'06), and colleagues at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, used clinical data collected over the past decade through a U.S. cancer registry to demonstrate that the survival of adult patients with low-grade glioma brain cancer has significantly improved. Survival has increased from 44 months (in 1999) to 57 months (in 2010). The findings were published in the journal Neuro-Oncology: Clinical Practice.

New Discoveries May 22, 2015

New chemical technology developed to degrade cancer proteins in the cell

Dennis L. Buckley, PhD (Damon Runyon Merck Fellow ’14-’18), James E. Bradner, MD (Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovator ’11-’13), and colleagues at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, reported the development of a new strategy that uses tumor cells’ own machinery to disintegrate and dispose of proteins that drive cancer growth. When tested in laboratory samples of leukemia cells and in animal models of the disease, the approach caused cancer cells to die much more quickly than with conventional targeted therapies.

New Discoveries May 19, 2015

New HHMI Investigators selected

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) announced its newest class of 26 Investigators, some of the nation’s top biomedical researchers who will receive the flexible support necessary to move their research in creative new directions. Four Damon Runyon scientists were selected for their individual scientific excellence. Their appointments will begin in September 2015.

New Discoveries May 7, 2015

Pershing Square Sohn Prizes for Young Investigators in Cancer Research

The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance has announced the winners of the 2015 Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research. The annual prize aims to catalyze collaboration among young investigators, academics, nonprofits, investors, and the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. The prize-winners will each receive funding for up to three years. Three of the six awards were granted to Damon Runyon scientists:

New Discoveries April 24, 2015

Prestigious cell biology prize awarded

Elaine V. Fuchs, PhD (Damon Runyon Board Member, Damon Runyon Fellow ‘77-‘79) of The Rockefeller University, New York, has received the E.B. Wilson Medal, the highest scientific honor bestowed by the American Society for Cell Biology. She is recognized for her pioneering research on mammalian skin and adult stem cells.

New Discoveries April 20, 2015

Combination therapy for treatment of advanced melanoma

Jedd D. Wolchok, MD, PhD (Damon Runyon-Lilly Clinical Investigator ‘03-‘08) and colleagues at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, reported the results of a Phase I study testing a combination therapy (Yervoy plus Opdivo/nivolumab) vs. Yervoy alone in patients with metastatic melanoma (with wild type BRAF gene). In 72 patients, the rate of confirmed response was 61% for the combination therapy (22% with complete response) vs. 11% for Yervoy alone (0% complete response).

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