Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard (MRCT Center), in partnership with the Center for Cancer Equity and Engagement, Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, present Equity by Design in Clinical Research: Cancer Trials.
The weekly webinar series will be held from 4:30 to 6:00 pm ET, March 8 through April 14. Click below for more details and registration information.
AACI Update | February 2022
Headlines
Cancer Clinician and Researcher to Serve as Director of GW Cancer Center
The George Washington University (GW) is pleased to announce that Julie E. Bauman, MD, MPH, will join its academic medical enterprise to serve as the director of GW Cancer Center in March 2022. In this role, Bauman will build on the momentum of the last five years to enhance the clinical, research, and academic activities at the cancer center and establish it as the leading provider of cancer care and research in the Washington, DC region. She will also serve as professor of medicine in the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Understanding Catchment Area Coverage to Address Cancer Disparities
As part of the presidential initiative of Karen E. Knudsen, MBA, PhD, AACI surveyed its members in 2020 to understand catchment area coverage. Results of the survey were published in a manuscript, "Assessing the Coverage of U.S. Cancer Center Primary Catchment Areas," in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. SKCC Associate Director for Community Integration Amy Leader, PhD, MPH, and Associate Director for Data Science, Christopher McNair, PhD, led the data analysis.
2021 AACI Report Now Available Online
In 2021 AACI continued to take a strong position on the impact of systemic racism and other forms of discrimination in public health. The 2021 AACI Report details the association’s efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion at North America’s leading cancer centers and in our communities, including the introduction of AACI’s Cancer Health Equity Award and AACI President Dr. Caryn Lerman’s presidential initiative focusing on diversifying the cancer leadership pipeline.
CRI Abstract Submissions Now Open
The AACI CRI Steering Committee is currently soliciting abstracts for the 14th Annual AACI CRI Meeting. The purpose of the abstracts is to inform meeting attendees about clinical trials office challenges and solutions implemented at AACI cancer centers. The online abstract submission tool is now live.
Champion for Cures Nominations Due February 28
AACI cancer center directors are invited to submit nominations for the 2022 Champion for Cures Award by Monday, February 28. The Champion for Cures Award will be presented during the 2022 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting, October 2-4, at the InterContinental at the Plaza, Kansas City.
Encourage Your Legislators to Pass the FY2022 Budget
As of today, the United States government has not passed a Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget. The federal government is currently operating with funding through a Continuing Resolution at spending levels for FY2021 until at least February 18. AACI encourages you to ask your legislators to complete the FY2022 budget and to fund the National Cancer Institute at an appropriate level.
Save the Date: 2022 AACI/AACR Virtual Hill Day
AACI will jointly host its annual Hill Day with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) on Wednesday, June 15. The event will be held virtually for the third year. All faculty and staff of AACI cancer centers are invited to spend the day advocating for cancer research funding.
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News from the Centers
Olopade Recognized for Transformative Breast Cancer Research
The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Chicago Medicine breast cancer expert Olufunmilayo Olopade, MD, has been named the recipient of this year’s William L. McGuire Award and Lecture, one of the highest honors in breast cancer research, by the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
Malik Honored by American Thoracic Society
University of Illinois Cancer Center
University of Illinois Cancer Center member Asrar Malik, PhD, was awarded the 2021 Solbert Permutt Trailblazer Award in Pulmonary Physiology and Medicine by the American Thoracic Society. He was nominated for his commitment to mentorship and pioneering work in endothelial and immune cells.
Physicians Receive ACS Awards
UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute
Two University of Mississippi Medical Center physicians have been honored by the American Cancer Society for partnering with the nonprofit in preventing and detecting cancer. Pierre de Delva, MD, is the ACS South Region 2021 Cancer Control Partner of the Year. William Robinson, MD, is the 2021 Get Screened Champion of the Year.
$7.6 Million Gift Launches New Lung Cancer Research Initiative
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
Grasping the genetic mutations that drive non-small cell lung cancer has led to new treatments. Yet when a patient is diagnosed with an alteration in the ALK gene, their cancer may become resistant to standard therapy. If that happens, which drug or drugs will they use? A $7.6 million gift from Judith L. Tam and the Richard Tam Foundation has launched an accelerated research initiative at the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center to answer those questions.
$3.15 Million Awarded to Advance Drug Development Platform for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai
The National Cancer Institute has awarded Mount Sinai researchers Arvin Dar, PhD, Ernesto Guccione, PhD, and Amaia Lujambio, PhD, $3.15 million in grant funding to assess the potential of a multidisciplinary drug development platform to identify new biological targets for precision-based therapeutics for hepatocellular carcinoma. The platform includes precision mouse models, tumor 3D organoids, and a proprietary library of small molecule inhibitors.
Dolan Named Deputy Director
The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) has appointed M. Eileen Dolan, PhD, as its deputy director. Dr. Dolan has spent the past eight years working as UCCCC’s associate director for cancer research training and education coordination. Previously, she was the long-time co-leader of the center’s Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics Program.
Kamal is First Chief Patient Officer for ACS
Duke Cancer Institute
The American Cancer Society (ACS) has hired Arif Kamal MD, MBA, MHS, FACP, FAAHPM, FASCO, as its first chief patient officer to lead its patient support vision and strategic plans to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families.
Stegh Named Brain Tumor Center Research Director
Siteman Cancer Center
Alexander H. Stegh, PhD, a leading brain cancer scientist, has been named research director of the Brain Tumor Center at Siteman Cancer Center, which brings together the collective expertise of Washington University subspecialists to provide multidisciplinary care for brain tumor patients.
Flores Named Associate Center Director of Basic Science
Moffitt Cancer Center
Elsa R. Flores, PhD, has been named Moffitt Cancer Center’s associate center director of basic science. In her new role, Dr. Flores will oversee the Basic Science Division, which includes the Cancer Physiology, Drug Discovery, Immunology, Molecular Oncology, and Tumor Biology departments.
Lucas Named Chief Community Impact Officer
Wilmot Cancer Institute, UR Medicine
Candice Lucas, EdD, MBA, has been named Wilmot Cancer Institute’s first chief community impact officer. The position is located within the Community Outreach and Engagement Office with a goal of ensuring the community’s diverse voices are embedded in Wilmot programs, research, and clinical practices.
Sampson Joins UNM Cancer Center as Clinical Research Administrator
University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center
Cheryl Sampson, MBA, has joined the Clinical Research Office at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center. She brings more than 20 years of experience in clinical research program administration and has assumed increasing responsibilities over her career.
Two New Leaders Named to Enhance Patient Care
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
The University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center has named David C. Smith, MD, chief medical officer and associate director for cancer clinical services, and Shruti Jolly, MD, associate director for the Michigan Medicine statewide cancer network.
New Program Leadership
University of Colorado Cancer Center
The University of Colorado Cancer Center is pleased to announce several leadership transitions. Patricia Ernst, PhD, will join Tin Tin Su, PhD, as co-leader of the Molecular and Cellular Oncology Program, a position most recently held by Craig Jordan, PhD. Stacy Fischer, MD, will join Jamie Studts, PhD, and Rajesh Agarwal, PhD, to co-lead the Cancer Prevention and Control Program.
Jenkins, Kovak Appointed to New Leadership Positions
UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
Amy Jo Jenkins, MS, CCRP, has been named associate director of administration for the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. Succeeding Jenkins, Matthew Kovak, MS, CCRP, has been promoted to executive director of the clinical trials office.
Farma Elected to Leadership Position in the Society of University Surgeons
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health
Jeffrey M. Farma, MD, FACS, chief of the Division of General Surgery and co-director of the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center, has been elected a member-at-large for the Society of University Surgeons.
Inaugural Director of Center for Blood Cancers Appointed
Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Health
Faith E. Davies, MD, has been appointed the inaugural director of the Center for Blood Cancers at NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center. Dr. Davies currently serves as professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and director of the Clinical Myeloma Program at Perlmutter.
New Chair of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care Named
VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
On March 1, Renato G. Martins, MD, MPH, will become the new chair of hematology, oncology and palliative care at VCU Massey Cancer Center and the Department of Internal Medicine at the VCU School of Medicine.
Uy Named Leukemia Committee Co-chair of Clinical Trials Group
Siteman Cancer Center
Geoffrey L. Uy, MD, a Washington University physician at Siteman Cancer Center, has been named co-chair of the Leukemia Committee of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology.
Clinical Trials Office Medical Director Appointed
Cedars-Sinai Cancer
Bobbie J. Rimel, MD, has been appointed medical director for the Cancer Clinical Trials Office (CCTO) at Cedars-Sinai Cancer. Dr. Rimel’s research has focused on clinical trial accrual, recruitment and informed consent. As CCTO medical director she will provide guidance and leadership to ensure the quality of services.
Surgeon-Scientist Tapped as Chair of Department of Neurosurgery
Duke Cancer Institute
Gerald Arthur Grant, MD, an internationally known surgeon-scientist, has been named the new chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Duke University School of Medicine, effective April 1. Dr. Grant returns to Duke from Stanford University.
Addressing High Lung Cancer Rates Among Female Asian Non-Smokers
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
The FANS (Female Asian Never Smokers) Study aims to collect data from Asian American women to shed light on the issue of non-smoking lung cancer, with the hope of identifying new prevention methods and early diagnosis and treatment options. Study investigator and epidemiologist Scarlett Lin Gomez, MPH, PhD, answered questions about the study.
Study: Receiving CAR T Therapy Sooner Improves Lymphoma Survival
The University of Kansas Cancer Center
According to a new study co-authored by Joseph McGuirk, DO, a form of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) therapy known by its brand name, Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel), is significantly more effective than the current standard of care in treating people with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) who relapse after the first line of treatment.
Can Prozac Fight Brain Cancer?
Stanford Cancer Institute
Pathologist Paul Mischel, MD, and postdoctoral scholar Junfeng Bi, PhD, have discovered that fluoxetine (commonly known as Prozac) appears to target glioblastoma, at least in laboratory mice. Further, real-world data from electronic medical records suggested that glioblastoma patients who were prescribed Prozac along with the standard treatment for the disease survived longer.
MAPK4 Emerges as Novel Therapeutic Target for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine
Scientific evidence supporting the involvement of the enzyme MAPK4 in cancer growth and resistance to certain therapies has been growing quickly. In a current study, a team at Baylor College of Medicine and collaborating institutions reports that MAPK4 seems to play an important role in triple-negative breast cancer.
Signaling Mechanisms in Pancreatic Cancer Cells That Could Provide Treatment Targets Identified
UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
Research led by scientists at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA provides new insights into molecular "crosstalk" in pancreas cancer cells, identifying vulnerabilities that could provide a target for therapeutic drugs already being studied in several cancers.
Research Identifies a Key Pathway Fueling Cancer Metastasis
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
A collaborative research team led by scientists from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center has determined that a small protein, RAC1, actively recruits enzymes involved in nucleotide production to promote cancer metastasis.
Colorectal Cancer Screening Lagging Among Rural Women
University of Virginia Cancer Center
Women who live in urban and rural areas get screened for breast cancer at similar rates, but rural women get screened for colorectal cancer at significantly lower rates than their urban counterparts, new research reveals.
Genetic and Lifestyle Calculator Reveals Which Younger Adults Are Most at Risk of Colorectal Cancer
Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Health
A new risk score can identify men and women under age 50 most likely to develop a cancer of the colon or rectum, an international study shows. The score, a number between 0 and 1, is made from a calculation of people’s risk of developing cancers in either digestive tract organ based on 141 genetic variants more common in people with the disease.
Targeted Two-Drug Therapy Effective to Treat Advanced Cervical Cancer
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
The combination of two novel immune therapy agents could be an effective new treatment option for women facing recurrent or advanced cervical cancer, according to the results of a multicenter Phase II clinical trial led by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.
Blood Test Helps Predict Who May Benefit From Lung Cancer Screening
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
A blood test, combined with a risk model based on an individual’s history, more accurately determines who is likely to benefit from lung cancer screening than the current U.S. recommendation, according to a study led by researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Cancer-Immu Data Portal Launched for Predicting Response to Immune Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
A new data portal called Cancer-Immu established by a team of Vanderbilt University Medical Center biostatisticians can help cancer clinicians and researchers predict which patients will respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Genetic Score Developed to Improve Pediatric Cancer Treatments
University of Florida Health Cancer Center
University of Florida researchers have developed a new genomics-based score to deliver more personalized and effective chemotherapy treatments to pediatric leukemia patients. The predictive score brings a precision medicine approach to treating childhood acute myeloid leukemia.
Study Shows How Ovarian Cancer Starts in High-Risk Women
Cedars-Sinai Cancer
Some women with BRCA-1 mutations choose to have their breasts or ovaries and fallopian tubes surgically removed even though they may never develop cancers in these tissues. Findings from a new study could help pinpoint which of these women are most likely to develop ovarian cancer in the future—and which are not—and pursue new ways to block the process or treat the cancer.
Two Antibodies Synergize in Triple Whammy to Pediatric Cancers, Study Finds
Stanford Cancer Institute
A combination of anti-cancer antibodies produced a powerfully synergistic response in two hard-to-treat pediatric cancers, according to a new study in mice, led by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
New Color-Coded Test Quickly Reveals if Medical Nanoparticles Deliver Their Payload
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have developed a color-coded test that quickly signals whether newly developed nanoparticles—ultra small compartments designed to ferry medicines, vaccines and other therapies—deliver their cargo into target cells.
New Hope for Patients With Relapsed Large B-cell Lymphoma
University of Colorado Cancer Center
Over the past four years, Manali Kamdar, MD, has been the lead investigator on a global, multicenter, Phase III clinical study that shows that Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel; liso-cel), a CAR T-cell drug, can improve outcomes for patients with large B-cell lymphoma.
Study Details Chromosome-Level Changes That Allow Melanomas to Develop Drug Resistance
UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
To investigate mutations in a key cancer-promoting genetic pathway, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers led the development of a melanoma model of drug resistance, enabling them to study structures and dynamics resulting in intrachromosomal and extrachromosomal changes that support resistance in cancer cells.
Novel Compound Doubles Mean Survival in Pre-Clinical Study
University of Illinois Cancer Center
Researchers from the University of Illinois Cancer Center have developed a compound that more than doubles mean survival time in animal models of pancreatic cancer. Survival time was further extended when immune therapy was added.
Researchers Pilot Device for Earlier Ovarian Cancer Detection
The University of Arizona Cancer Center
University of Arizona Cancer Center Member Jennifer Barton, MD, has spent nearly a decade developing a falloposcope to detect ovarian cancer in its early stages. John Heusinkveld, MD, has now used the device to capture images of study participants' fallopian tubes for the first time.
Sensitivity to Chemotherapy May Guide Treatment of Patients With Stomach Cancer
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
A study led by scientists at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center shows that chemotherapy after surgery for gastric adenocarcinoma is significantly associated with longer survival in patients with chemosensitive disease, but not in those with very sensitive or refractory disease.
VA Data Analyzed to Study Prostate Cancer Disparities
Moffitt Cancer Center
Moffitt Cancer Center has been conducting research on disparities in prostate cancer, specifically evaluating the interplay between social and biological mechanisms that drive the disease among different races and ethnicities. Its newest study is a collaboration with the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and John and Daria Barry Foundation Precision Oncology Center of Excellence.
Sorting Cancers by Immune Archetypes May Offer New Approach for Precision Immunotherapies
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Using data from over 300 patient tumors, UC San Francisco researchers have described 12 classes of "immune archetypes" to classify cancer tumors. Their findings reveal that cancers from different parts of the body are immunologically similar to one another. These classifications can enhance each patient’s choice of cancer immunotherapies.
Study Shows How Changing Gut Microbiota Can Affect Lupus Disease Activity in Mice
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
Research led by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine found that introducing a single bacterium called segmented filamentous bacteria to the gut microbiota causes detrimental effects on lupus nephritis in mice.
New Initiative Aims to Create Shared Data Hub for Cancer Centers
VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
Massey Cancer Center is working with analytics company SAS to power vital research into higher cancer and mortality rates among low-income and vulnerable populations. SAS and Massey will create the Massey Research Analytics Hub, a secure, cloud-based platform with easy-to-use visualizations of quantitative and qualitative data collected from many different sources and systems.
Land Purchase Approved for New Outpatient Center
UK Markey Cancer Center
The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees has approved a purchase agreement for $6.9 million to acquire residential parcels across from UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital for the construction of a new outpatient cancer treatment center and advanced ambulatory complex.
Survey Finds Support for Cancer Warnings on Alcohol
University of Virginia Cancer Center
Less than half of Americans understand that alcohol consumption increases cancer risk, and a majority of people surveyed say they would support warning labels and drinking guidelines to increase awareness.
Agreement Announced to Establish Life Sciences Genomic Resource
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
Nashville Biosciences, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has announced an agreement with Illumina, a leading genomic technology company, to realize the full potential of VUMC’s DNA databank, BioVU.
Children With Cancer and Other Special Needs Deserve Support During Online Learning
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University
When thousands of schools transitioned to online learning in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many children with cancer and other health and education needs, faced significant learning challenges, according to an opinion paper co-authored by Kathy Ruble, PhD, MSN, RN, CRNP, director of the pediatric oncology survivorship clinic at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.
Fully Vaccinated Cancer Patients Who Had Breakthrough COVID-19 Show 13 Percent Mortality Rate
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
The first study to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of fully vaccinated patients with cancer who had breakthrough COVID-19 infections indicates they remained at high risk for hospitalization and death. Fully vaccinated patients who experienced breakthrough infections had a hospitalization rate of 65 percent, an ICU or mechanical ventilation rate of 19 percent, and a 13 percent death rate.
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Meeting Announcements
Equity by Design in Clinical Research: Cancer Trials
March 8, 2022
Annual Midwest Tumor Microenvironment Meeting
May 23, 2022
7th Midwest Tumor Microenvironment Meeting at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
Sponsors:
NIH NCI
The University of Kansas Cancer Center
KU Cancer Biology
KU Otolaryngology
School of Medicine Bohan Visiting Professor Program
AACI/AACR Virtual Hill Day
June 15, 2022
Save the date for the 2022 AACI/AACR Virtual Hill Day. More details to come.
14th Annual AACI CRI Meeting
July 12, 2022
The AACI Clinical Research Innovation (CRI) program serves as a network for research leaders to develop and share best practices for the efficient operation of clinical trials offices (CTO) at AACI cancer centers. The programming of the 14th Annual AACI CRI Meeting, “Partnering in Progress,” aligns with CRI's strategic goal of stimulating cancer center interactions to maximize resources by creating opportunities for peer-to-peer networking and collaboration.
The health and safety of meeting attendees is of paramount importance. AACI continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health guidelines. We are currently planning for an in-person event and will implement protective measures in accordance with current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the City of Chicago. A virtual option is available to those unable to attend in person.
Please visit the meeting website for more information on COVID-19 masking, vaccination, and testing policies:
Health and Safety Measures
FAQ
AACI reserves the right to revise vaccination, masking, and testing policies based on evolving public health recommendations, and will notify attendees of any changes as soon as possible.
2022 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting
October 2, 2022
AACI cancer centers form North America's cancer research infrastructure and are hubs of critical discoveries, treatment advances and improvements in patient care. AACI and the Cancer Center Administrators Forum (CCAF) jointly formulated the program for the 2022 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting.
This three-day event convenes AACI cancer center members with national cancer research and advocacy groups, industry, and government health agencies to develop solutions to common challenges. No other program presents information on cancer research and patient care issues as they pertain to the leaders of the nation's cancer centers and provides those leaders with a forum to discuss common issues with their peers.
Continuing Medical Education (CME) is jointly provided by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and AACI. Your participation in this national meeting helps us chart a course for AACI's work on behalf of its cancer center network. We look forward to hosting you and your colleagues for this always innovative and high-quality educational experience.