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SPOTLIGHT ON THE CLINICAL PROTOCOL
PROCESS
Charting a better roadmap for clinical research
protocols
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The preeminent goal of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center is to rapidly translate important
discoveries to improved patient care. Yet the road from new research findings to innovative cancer treatments winds through the intricate terrain of
protocol review and approval. An initiative now under way seeks to remap this terrain and cut through the underbrush of redundancy and delay that has
often frustrated investigators and encumbered the clinical trials process. more>
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FOCI OF CANCER RESEARCH
DFCI's balanced portfolio of scientific investments
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 The red and white flags suspended outside Dana-Farber Cancer Institute do more than simply decorate
the hospital building; they sum up the dual mission inside: a dedication to discovery and commitment to care. "Our balanced portfolio, invested
equally in research and patient care, makes us different from all other cancer centers," says Chief Scientific Officer Barrett Rollins, MD, PhD. "No
matter how you parse it -- by full-time effort, dollars spent, square footage -- the balance between the two is fifty-fifty." more>
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MORE ON
CORES
Gaining insight into pathways of
cancer
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 The Cytogenetics Core offers investigators insight into the
pathogenetic regions of the genome and the molecular pathways involved in cancer. Methods of analysis include conventional karyotyping,
fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on metaphase and interphase spreads, as well as advanced technologies such as BioView automated cell
analyses/counter, spectral karyotyping (SKY)/multiplex FISH, and array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). Although our services focus
mainly on human and mouse cytogenetics, we also have performed analyses on the chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan, swine, rat, and zebrafish. Please
contact Charles
Lee for
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Identifying study-eligible cases
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 You have a sound idea for a study. But are there enough patients to meet your accrual needs? The Rapid Case
Identification
Core can help. During grant-planning and preparation, RCIC can provide case numbers that include information regarding race, age, gender,
and cancer stage. Post award, the Core can assist with the case ascertainment issues of IRB approval, identify cases within weeks of diagnosis at
institutions throughout Massachusetts, review medical records, retrieve pathology specimens, and provide demographic information on potential
population controls. Our staff will tailor data collection efforts to meet the specific needs of your study. For more information, contact Carol
Lowenstein. |
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Introducing your gene of interest
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 The Vector
Core produces gene transfer reagents for the modification of mammalian cells. DF/HCC investigators can choose from a variety of vector
types: MLV-based retroviral and HIV-based lentiviral vectors; adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors, suitable for gene delivery to a range of target
tissues; and second-generation E1- and E3-deleted adenoviral vectors. The core also genetically engineers stable cell lines for use in cancer
vaccine
studies, and maintains a large collection of cloning plasmids, which allow the insertion of genes or siRNA cassettes into vectors. Experts will
consult with you on the appropriate vector for your research study. Visit our website or contact Jeng-Shin Lee for more information. |
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GRANT
UPDATES
Success of Prostate SPORE sparks renewal
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The DF/HCC Prostate Cancer SPORE, initially funded in 2002 and led by Philip Kantoff, MD
(DFCI), has been
highly successful in creating cohesion in the Prostate Cancer Program, sparking new RO1, PO1, and DOD grants, fostering innovative ideas in prostate
cancer research, and advancing the careers of junior investigators. The renewal application, submitted in September 2006, features new projects as
well as extensions of existing ones. more>
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DF/HCC awarded grants amid tight funding environment
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 Despite current funding constraints, the NCI recently funded two program project grants (P01s), while
the
National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute renewed a research project cooperative agreement (U01). Awards like these encourage a multi-disciplinary
teamwork approach to cancer research. Another recent success of DF/HCC investigators is the NCI's renewal of an institutional training grant (T32),
which supports training for the next generation of cancer researchers. For details, click below.
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Neighbors partner to nurture scientists of
color
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 DF/HCC and the University of Massachusetts Boston received a five-year, $4.3 million
grant from the
NIH to jointly develop strategies to reduce health disparities in Boston neighborhoods and to help diversify the region's biomedical scientists. The
cooperative planning grant, known as a U56, funds partnerships between minority-serving institutions and NCI-sponsored cancer centers to gain an
understanding of the reasons behind cancer disparities and, ultimately, to strengthen the national cancer program. The U56 helps potential partners
develop plans and initiate activities that will prepare them to compete for funding in the future to achieve longer-term objectives. more>
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NEW
FACES
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DF/HCC congratulates new leadership
As of December 2006, the following members assumed new leadership positions:
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John Ayanian,
MD (BWH), co-leader of the Outcomes Research Program and leader of the Cancer Care in Massachusetts (CAMA) initiative
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Elizabeth
Barbeau, ScD (DFCI/HSPH), co-leader of the Risk Reduction Program
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Rebecca
Betensky, PhD (HSPH), leader of the Biostatistics Program
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Lewis Cantley,
PhD (BIDMC), co-leader of the Prostate Cancer Program
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David
Christiani, MD (HSPH), deputy associate director for Planning and Evaluation and representative of HSPH on
the Executive Committee
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Beverly
Ginsburg, MBA (DFCI), associate director for Administration
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Susan
Hankinson, ScD (HSPH), leader of the Cancer Epidemiology Program
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Glorian
Sorensen, PhD (DFCI/HSPH), co-leader of the Risk Reduction Program
Twenty-seven new members join DF/HCC
community
Since September 2006, 27 individuals from our seven member institutions
and academic partners have joined DF/HCC -- adding new expertise to the
collaborative effort to conquer cancer. Learn more about these scientists and their areas of research interest.
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NEWS AND
EVENTS
New associate director fast at work
 On November 15, DF/HCC welcomed
Bev Ginsburg, MBA, as the new
associate director for administration, a recruitment that Director
Edward J. Benz Jr., MD, called "a transforming event" for both DF/HCC
and DFCI, where Ginsburg holds the additional position of senior vice
president for research. more>
Miss an event? Check out new calendar
DF/HCC has launched an enhanced online
calendar of educational events related to basic, clinical, and population science. You can view the calendar
by day, week, or month, or simply click the Events tab to see a complete list of seminars and conferences happening across all seven member
institutions. Sort by science category - color-coded for ease of use -- or search by location. more>
"Mini-Pipeline" expands oncology
seminars
DF/HCC has expanded its monthly seminar series, "Pipelines in Oncology," to encompass small to
mid-size biotechnology companies. The original Pipeline seminars feature interactive presentations from leading pharmaceutical companies, such as
Pfizer and Novartis, who discuss promising oncology products
with investigators from
all DF/HCC sites. Mini-Pipeline seminars mirror these discussions with companies like Array Biopharma, PTC Therapeutics, Nerviano Medical Sciences,
and GPC Biotech. more>
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RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
BIDMC -- How NSAIDs halt
cancer
growth
BWH -- Red
meat and increased breast cancer risk
CHB -- Preventing GVHD after BMT -- without toxicity
DFCI -- Drug combination proves effective in myeloma trial
HMS -- Prostate
cancer treatment increases risk of diabetes, CVD
HSPH -- Survey
highlights problems in health care system
MGH -- Discovery of
new gene
associated with Wilm's tumor
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SAVE THE
DATE
The Stanley J.
Korsmeyer
Symposium -- Jan. 25-26
Pipelines in
Oncology
Amgen --
Feb. 15
Infinity --
March 15
Reata --
April 19
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