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John V. Heymach, MD, PhD (Damon Runyon-Lilly Clinical Investigator ‘04-‘09), Waun Ki Hong, MD (Former Clinical Investigator Committee Member and Mentor), and colleagues at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, reported the identification of two sets of genes that predict response to Tarceva/erlotinib, a targeted therapy used for treatment of certain non-small cell lung cancers.
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has recognized leading cancer researchers whose work has significantly contributed to progress in the fight against cancer. Among those honored are 5 Damon Runyon scientists:
Robert H. Vonderheide, MD, PhD (Damon Runyon-Lilly Clinical Investigator ‘00-‘05) and colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, reported the success of an experimental antibody that activates the immune protein CD40 and targets pancreatic cancer. In a preliminary study, on average, patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who were treated with the CD40 antibody survived longer and experienced temporary tumor regression.
Adrian P. Bird, PhD (Damon Runyon Fellow ‘71-‘73) of the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh has been named one of five recipients of the 2011 Canada Gairdner International Award. This highly prestigious award recognizes individuals who have made significant tangible achievements in the field of medical science. Dr.
A team of scientists including Rafael Fonseca, MD (Damon Runyon-Lilly Clinical Investigator ‘00-‘05), William C. Hahn, MD, PhD (Damon Runyon Fellow ‘98-‘99), Matthew Meyerson, MD, PhD (Damon Runyon Fellow ‘95-‘98) and Todd R. Golub, MD (Innovation Award Committee Member, Board Member) reported the first-ever sequencing of genomes from 38 patient samples of multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.
Craig J. Ceol, PhD (Damon Runyon Fellow ‘05-‘07) of University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, and colleagues, reported the identification of the gene SETDB1 which is capable of accelerating melanoma formation in zebrafish. SETDB1 cooperates with BRAF(V600E), the most common mutation in human melanoma; the SETDB1 gene encodes a histone modifying enzyme often upregulated in those tumors. This finding supports the model that disruption of histone modification promotes cancer. SETDB1 may also be a promising drug target.
Elaine V. Fuchs, PhD (Damon Runyon Board Member, Damon Runyon Fellow ‘77-‘79) of The Rockefeller University, New York, and James A. Thomson, VMD, PhD (Current Fellowship Sponsor) of the Morgridge Institute for Research at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, have been named recipients of the 11th annual Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research. They are honored for their pioneering work in the field of stem cell biology.
President Obama appointed William R. Sellers, MD (Board Member, Damon Runyon-Lilly Clinical Investigator ‘01-‘05) to the National Cancer Advisory Board. The board is charged with advising the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Director of the National Cancer Institute.
Tobias J.E. Carling, MD, PhD (Damon Runyon-Doris Duke Clinical Investigator ‘10-‘13) and colleagues at Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, identified novel genetic mutations that can give rise to tumors of the hormone-producing adrenal gland (aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma) and severe hypertension (high blood pressure). By sequencing the genes from these tumors and comparing them to normal DNA, the researchers identified mutations in a potassium channel gene, KCNJ5.
A team of researchers including David E. Lebwohl, MD (Damon Runyon Fellow ‘86-‘87), Novartis Oncology, Florham Park, New Jersey, reported the results of a Phase 3 trial demonstrating the efficacy of Everolimus/Afinitor in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer. The median progression-free survival was 11.0 months with everolimus as compared with 4.6 months with placebo, with limited side effects. As these patients have few treatment options, this finding is likely to be rapidly applied in the clinic.
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