The Endocrine Society is pleased to announce the 2009 Laureate Awards established in 1944 to recognize the highest achievements in endocrinology including: science, leadership, teaching and service. This year’s Laureate Awards were presented at ENDO 09, the 91st Annual Meeting of The Endocrine Society, being held June 10-13, in Washington, DC.

Dr. Karen Knudsen

Karen Knudsen, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Cancer Biology at the Kimmel Cancer Center received the Richard E. Weitzman Memorial Award. This annual award recognizes an exceptionally promising young clinical or basic investigator. Knudsen is recognized for scientific achievements in the study of androgen action in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer, mentoring of students and fellows, and for her tremendous service to the scientific community.

Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world’s oldest, largest and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology.  Today, The Endocrine Society’s membership consists of more than 14,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in more than 100 countries. Society members represent all basic, applied and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

The same biomarker was previously identified as a prognostic factor for breast cancer

The absence of a stromal protein called caveolin-1 appears to be a marker for advanced prostate cancer and metastasis, researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson and Harvard Medical School reported in Cell Cycle.

There was an abundance of stromal caveolin-1 in prostate tissue taken from patients with benign prostate hypertrophy. However, the level of stromal caveolin-1 was significantly decreased in the prostate tissue taken from patients with localized prostate cancer. Furthermore, all tumor tissue taken from patients with metastatic prostate cancer was completely negative for stromal caveolin-1.

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The Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson hosted the 2nd Annual ACS-IRG Luncheon on June 25, 2009. Representatives of the Southeast Region, Pennsylvania Division of the American Cancer Society had an opportunity to meet this year’s recipients of the Pilot Project Awards from the Kimmel Cancer Center’s American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant, Richard G. Pestell MD., PhD Principal Investigator and Marja T. Nevalainen, MD, PhD, co-Principal Investigator. The Pilot Project recipients for 2009 are: Jonathan Brody, PhD of the Department of Surgery; Jun Li, PhD from the Department of Radiation Oncology; and Janice Walker, PhD of the Department of Pathology, Anatomy & Cell Biology. Representing the American Cancer Society were Daneen Baird, Susan Graham, and Larry Slagle.

The Philadelphia Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation Race for the CURE held their annual Mother’s Day Race on Sunday, May 10th, 2009. The Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson sponsored a booth and Team Jefferson also participated in the race. A few photos from the race below.

The marker appears to be widely applicable to all breast cancer patients, regardless of other established prognostic indicators

Dr. Michael Lisanti

Reporting online in the American Journal of Pathology, researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson have implicated the loss of a stromal protein called caveolin-1 as a major new prognostic factor in patients with breast cancer, predicting early disease recurrence, metastasis and breast cancer patient survival.

The absence of caveolin-1 in the stroma also appeared to be a marker for drug resistance in patients receiving tamoxifen, according to Michael Lisanti, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the departments of Cancer Biology, Medical Oncology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University.

According to Dr. Lisanti, who is also director of the Jefferson Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Center at the Kimmel Cancer Center, caveolin-1 is expressed by cells in the stroma called fibroblasts, which are present in the connective tissue surrounding cancer cells. When cancer cells arise, the fibroblasts stop making caveolin-1.

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The Seventh Annual Run 4 Your Life Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Walk to benefit Prostate Cancer Research and Awareness will be happening this year on June 21st. Jefferson/KCC already have a team setup but have a long way to go to reach our goal of $1000. The standard registration fee is $25, but if you can’t attend think about supporting our team with an online donation here, or to the greater cause here.

Also: Check out our own Dr. Leonard Gomella on the “Ask the Doctor” page.

An herb recently found to kill pancreatic cancer cells also appears to inhibit development of pancreatic cancer as a result of its anti-inflammatory properties, according to researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson. The data were presented at the AACR 100th Annual Meeting 2009 in Denver. (Abstract #494)

Nigella sativa

Thymoquinone, the major constituent of the oil extract from a Middle Eastern herbal seed called Nigella sativa, exhibited anti-inflammatory properties that reduced the release of inflammatory mediators in pancreatic cancer cells, according to Hwyda Arafat, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of Surgery at the Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and a member of the Jefferson Pancreatic, Biliary & Related Cancers Center.

Nigella sativa seeds and oil are used in traditional medicine by many Middle Eastern and Asian countries. It helps treat a broad array of diseases, including some immune and inflammatory disorders, Dr. Arafat said. Previous studies have also shown it to have anti-cancer effects on prostate and colon cancers.

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May is Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention Month, so accordingly this coming Monday is "Melanoma Monday". Although having an unfortunate name, the topic it raises is no laughing matter as skin cancer is the most diagnosed cancer type with over 1 million new diagnosis in the United States each year and rising. So if you haven’t lately, take a little longer look in the mirror this weekend and use the resources below to find out more about self-examination. And if your needing a push to get out of the house and get screened, let free skin cancer screenings from Jefferson Dermatology Associates in the Philadelphia area on the 22nd (Friday) and the 27th (Wednesday) of this month be your motivation. Call 1-800-JEFF-NOW to make an appointment soon, as they are booking up quickly. For other locations, the American Academy of Dermatology has a location search on their website to find a free screening in you area.

• TJUH Department of Dermatology (Clinical Home)
• TJU Department of Dermatology (Research Home)
• AAD: Melanoma Monday
• ACS: Skin Cancer Prevention & Early Detection
• Wikipedia: Skin Cancer

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A reminder that The Ladies of Port Richmond will be holding their annual Breast Cancer Walk on Sunday, May 17th, 2009. Registration at the walk begins at 8:30 am while the walk starts at 10:00 am. So download the registration form and the pledge form and hit the streets “to increase Breast Cancer awareness through education; and help fund research to find a Breast Cancer cure in our lifetime.”

Alex’s Lemonade Stand™ Foundation for Childhood Cancer has some upcoming events in the Philadelphia area. The 6th Annual Lemonade Days June 12-14th, The 4th Annual Great Chef’s Event (featuring a number of notable Philly chefs) Wednesday, June 17th, & The Childhood Cancer Symposium on Saturday, June 27th. Also, Kenny Herriot will be pedaling across the country April 27th through June 7th in The Great Lemon Ride. It isn’t to late to hold your own lemonade stand during this years Lemonade Days, or join in “fighting childhood cancer, one cup at a time”.

For those of you who don’t know about the amazing Alex Scott or her lemonade stand…

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Hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy was well-tolerated and improved symptoms in patients with recurrent low-grade glioma, according to researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson. The data were presented at the AACR 100th Annual Meeting 2009. (Abstract #3617)

In a subgroup of patients who also received chemotherapy with their hypofractionated sterotactic radiotherapy (H-SRT) the median survival time was more than three times longer than patients who only received H-SRT alone according to Shannon Fogh, M.D., a resident in Radiation Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

The study included 22 patients with evidence of glioma recurrence. All patients were given H-SRT as salvage therapy, and nine of the patients also received chemotherapy. The most common regimen was temozolomide (Temodar).

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Dr. Brian Carr

A combination of Sorafenib and Vitamin K had an effect in vitro on both human pancreas cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, according to researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson. Data from the two studies were presented at the AACR 100th Annual Meeting 2009 in Denver. (Abstract #5470 and #5483)

Vitamin K1 or Vitamin K2, plus Sorafenib (Nexavar) each have shown activity against the growth of human cancer cells by inhibiting the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway according to Brian Carr, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of Medical Oncology at the Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. ERK plays a major role in cell growth of cancers.

Although Sorafenib has demonstrated success at extending survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, or primary liver cancer), hand-foot syndrome is a common adverse effect that affects approximately 20 percent of patients who receive the drug. It typically manifests as painful sores on the soles of patients’ feet that can prevent the patients from walking, Dr. Carr said. Profound tiredness and weight loss is also seen in at least 30 percent of patients.

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Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Center City Campus, has been granted MAGNET® recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) MAGNET Recognition Program®. ANCC is a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association.

Less than five percent of the hospitals in the nation have achieved the sought-after MAGNET recognition which honors superior patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice.

Highly regarded as the “gold standard” of nursing excellence, MAGNET recognition provides a benchmark by which consumers and patients can measure the quality of care they can expect to receive at a hospital.  Hospitals that achieve MAGNET recognition are associated with improved patient care outcomes as well as attracting top notch physicians, nurses and healthcare professionals.

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Dr. Bruno Calabretta

The therapeutic effects of the blockbuster leukemia drug imatinib may be enhanced when given along with a drug that inhibits a cell process called autophagy, researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson reported in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

The cell-death effect of imatinib (Gleevec) was potentiated when chloroquine, an autophagy inhibitor, was given with imatinib for the in vitro treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells including the CML stem cells, according to Bruno Calabretta, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Cancer Biology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University.

Autophagy is a process that allows cells to adapt to environmental stresses, and enables drug-treated CML cells to escape cell death. Imatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that suppresses proliferation and induces death of the malignant cells that cause CML. However, additional effects of the drug have not been studied in detail, according to Dr. Calabretta.

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Dr. Andrew Aplin

A protein called Mcl-1 plays a critical role in melanoma cell resistance to a form of apoptosis called anoikis, according to research published this week in Molecular Cancer Research.

The presence of Mcl-1 causes cell resistance to anoikis. This resistance to anoikis enables the melanoma cells to metastasize and survive at sites distant from the primary tumor, according to Andrew Aplin, Ph.D., an associate professor of Cancer Biology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, and a member of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson. The research was conducted at Albany Medical College in New York by Dr. Aplin and colleagues.

Mcl-1 is part of the Bcl-2 protein family, and is regulated by B-RAF proteins, which are mutated in approximately 60 percent of all human melanomas.  The Bcl-2 family includes several prosurvival proteins that are associated with the resistance of cancer cells to apoptosis, or cell death. Dr. Aplin and colleagues analyzed three candidate Bcl-2 proteins: Mcl-1, Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL.

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Dr. Hallgeir Rui

Researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson were awarded a Susan G. Komen for the Cure Promise Grant of almost $6.7 million for five years for continued breast cancer research.

The project represents a multidisciplinary team of scientists from a consortium that also includes Walter Reed Army Medical Center and DecisionQ Inc. in Washington D.C., as well as the Windber Research Institute and MDR Global Inc. in Windber, Pa.

The principal investigator, Hallgeir Rui, M.D., Ph.D., is a professor of Cancer Biology and Medical Oncology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. The co-principal investigator and leader of the clinical investigations associated with the project is Edith Mitchell, M.D., medical oncologist and clinical professor of Medicine and Medical Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University and Associate Director of Diversity Programs for the Kimmel Cancer Center.

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Theme of “Cancer Registrars….Rock Solid” Emphasizes the Foundation Cancer Registrars Provide for Cancer Research, Awareness, Prevention and Quality Improvement

Cancer registrars around the world will join their colleagues and local community leaders to observe the annual National Cancer Registrars Week, April 13–17, 2009. The 2009 theme “Cancer Registrars…Rock Solid” reflects the dependable professionalism cancer registrars provide across the spectrum of cancer- related initiatives. Quality cancer data is central to the nation’s cancer fighting efforts and cancer registrars are the first link in capturing data on patients diagnosed with cancer.

Cancer registrars are data management experts in cancer treatment and research settings. They find, interpret and record a wide range of demographic and medical information on people with cancer. This information is submitted to state and national cancer registries for use in research, treatment and prevention initiatives. Cancer programs are thus able to accurately determine cancer patient populations, measure outcomes of treatment and survival, and formulate plans for quality improvement.

For more information, contact Fran Guiles at 215-955-0042 or Fran.Guiles@jeffersonhospital.org. The Oncology Data Services Department (Cancer Registry) is located at 1015 Chestnut Street, Suite 608.

Governor Ed Rendell’s Proclomation

Joy Soleiman

Joy Soleiman, MPA, the Clinical Administrator for the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, has been appointed president-elect of the Association of Cancer Executives.

The one-year appointment began in February at the association’s annual meeting. Ms. Soleiman will become president at the association’s annual meeting in 2010, to be held in San Diego. That is also a one-year appointment.

“It is an honor that my peers have elected me to this position,” Ms. Soleiman said. “The Association of Cancer Executives has been a valuable tool to me and many people. It strives to provide cancer executives with ample opportunities for personal education and development.

Ms. Soleiman has been a member of the Association of Cancer Executives for 15 years. She was halfway through serving a two-year term as secretary when she was appointed President-elect.

The secretary replacement is Patricia Dugan, RN, who is Administrative Director of the Jefferson Kimmel Cancer Center Network.

Dr. Hallgeir Rui

Hallgeir Rui, M.D., Ph.D, a professor of Cancer Biology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson’s Kimmel Cancer Center, is one of three recipients of the Income Tax Check-Off for Breast & Cervical Cancer Research grants this year.

The $50,000 award will be used to conduct research to understand what causes the inactivation of STAT5, which is a protein that plays a role in breast cancer. According to Dr. Rui, women with inactive STAT5 protein have a seven times higher risk of death from breast cancer.

“We are truly excited to have been selected to receive this grant, especially since obtaining funding can be difficult even in the best economic times,” Dr. Rui said “STAT5 has significant clinical relevance and our laboratory has been studying its role for some time. These funds will allow us to complete the next phase of our research.”

The Income Tax Check-Off for Breast & Cervical Cancer Research is a program created by the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition that enables Pennsylvania residents to donate their state tax refunds to breast or cervical cancer research. The legislation for the program was signed in 1997. It has since raised more than $2 million for breast and cervical cancer research.

Taxpayers can donate their refunds to breast and cervical cancer research by checking line 35 on their PA 40 form.

Dr. Andrea Morrione

Researchers from Thomas Jefferson University have identified a protein that appears to play a significant role in the growth and migration of prostate cancer cells, especially androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. The study was published in the American Journal of Pathology.

They also found that prostate cancer cells express more of the protein when compared to normal prostate cells, according to Andrea Morrione, Ph.D., an associate professor and director of Urology Research for the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson.

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