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Message from the Associate Directors
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Mitchell Machtay, MD
Associate Director for Clinical Research, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
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Clinical Trials in the time of COVID-19: How we are adapting and ensuring the continuance of research
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Patients with cancer often turn to clinical trials because their other treatment options are limited. Though there has been a shift in the conduct of clinical activities, treatment trials remain open to enrollment to meet clinical needs. Each clinical trial is different and we have evaluated protocols on a case-by-case basis to assess patient and caregiver burden with respect to the risk of
COVID-19 infection. Our top priority remains safety for participants and research staff. Steps we are keeping include:
- Trials with moderate and low potential of direct benefits to participants may be closed, suspended or converted to all virtual/phone
- Keep trial participants informed
- Share best practices with other cancer centers across the country
- Involve sponsors, the FDA, and IRBs to make multilateral decisions
- Require extensive and accurate documentation
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Mikkael Sekeres, MD
Deputy Associate Director for Clinical Research, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
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We are also tracking when clinical trial participants have to withdraw or go off of treatment due to COVID-19. This will allow the cancer center to report in real-time the impacts on studies and participants.
Nazha developed a new phase I/II clinical trial to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) based on preclinical work done in
Babal Jha’s lab at the Cleveland Clinic. The phase I/II trial of the combination of CPX-351 (liposomal cytarabine-daunorubicin) and Palbociclib in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. The phase I part was dose escalation of Palbociclib in combination with standard dose CPX-351 in patients with released/refractory AML. Nine patients were enrolled on the phase I part; the overall response rate based on intention-to-treat analysis was 67%. Currently, the phase II part is open and enrolling patients. Phase II is restricted to patients newly diagnosed with AML.
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Finally, we are hosting our first virtual
Clinical Research Retreat on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 from 5-7 pm. This retreat is a great opportunity to network digitally, connect and exchange ideas.
Two keynote speakers will be addressing exciting topics in clinical research:
Lydia Furman, MD, Chair, University Hospitals Institutional Review Board, will present on Effectively Communicating Informed Consent in Disparate Population.
Susan Pereira Ribeiro, PhD, Senior Instructor in Pathology and Case CCC member, will present on the Translational Research Cycle, Bedside to Bench to Bedside.
All clinicians and research staff are encouraged to participate in this virtual learning event.
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Collaborative Cleveland Digestive Diseases Research Core Center receives $6M in continued NIH funding
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The
Silvio O. Conte Cleveland Digestive Diseases Research Core Center (DDRCC), cross-institutional collaborative established in 2015, has received another $6 million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support advanced research on digestive inflammation, gastrointestinal cancer and liver and metabolic diseases.
“The overall objective of the Cleveland DDRCC,” said
Fabio Cominelli, MD, PhD professor of medicine and pathology and associate dean for program development at the School of Medicine and the center’s director, “is to increase the availability of resources for center members and foster research, collaborations and new directions in digestive disease research, leading to important scientific discoveries.” Dr. Cominelli is also a member of the
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center's GI Cancer Genetics Program.
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HSD3B1 Linked to Poor Outcomes in Low-Volume Prostate Cancer
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A study led by
Nima Sharifi, MD (
Hearn, Jama Oncol, 2020) found the adrenal-permissive HSD3B1 allele is associated with earlier castration resistance and shorter overall survival among men with low-volume metastatic prostate cancer. These findings lay the foundation for more personalized and effective prostate cancer treatment.
Sharifi and collaborators retrospectively examined data from 475 men enrolled on the multi-center, E3805 Chemohormonal Therapy vs Androgen Ablation Randomized Trial for Extensive Disease in Prostate Cancer (CHAARTED) phase 3 trial testing docetaxel treatment in men with newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer. The team analyzed clinical outcomes by genotype, and found an association between inheritance of the adrenal-permissive genotype allele HSD3B1(1245C) and earlier resistance to treatment and shorter overall survival in men with low-volume metastatic prostate cancer. There was no observed association between genotype and outcomes among men with high-volume disease, and no interaction between genotype and benefit from docetaxel.
Sharifi, director of the Center for GU Malignancies Research at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute and Program Leader of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center's GU Malignancies Program, said in a
press release, “These findings lay the groundwork for more personalized and effective treatments for prostate cancer,” said Sharifi. “If men carry this specific testosterone-related genetic abnormality we may be able to individualize their therapy.”
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Cancer Stem Cell Conference 2020 Rescheduled for July 2021
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The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC) and the National Center for Regenerative Medicine (NCRM) were greatly looking forward to CSC 2020, originally scheduled for August 4-6, 2020 at Tinkham Veale University Center at Case Western Reserve University. In light of recent events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the CSC planning committee has made the difficult decision to postpone the conference until July 12-14, 2021.
In its fourth year, CSC 2021 will feature renowned thought leaders in the field of cancer stem cell research. This conference is guaranteed to offer cutting-edge keynote presentations from a variety of niches within the field. Attendees will join world-class investigators for this three-day summit and network with scientists and clinicians advancing cancer stem cell research and therapeutic applications.
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Computational Genomic Epidemiology of Cancer (CoGEC) Program Seeking Postdoc
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Team Case CCC "rides" on into Virtual VeloSano 2020!
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Originally scheduled for July 17-19, 2020 in Cleveland, OH, VeloSano 7 is evolving into
Virtual Velosano
to keep our community safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. While we won't be able to unite in person this summer, we will continue fundraising as the need for cancer research is more important than ever.
Our continuing goal is to bring sustainable funding to cancer research by enlisting the passion and energy of thousands of people who wish to give back... including
YOU! We raised nearly $94,000 in 2019 and every dollar goes directly toward cancer research. In our six years of participation, more than $1,000,000 of VeloSano fundraising totals have come back to the Case CCC to award researchers as
pilot funding for cancer research projects.
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Case CCC COVID-19 Resource Hub
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As the COVID-19 outbreak progresses, the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC) has centralized COVID-19 related news and resources for our cancer center community.
To have a cancer-focused resource added to the page, please email
cancer@case.edu.
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Mon, April 20
Cancer Center Research Chalk Talk
WRB Faculty Meetings with Stan Gerson
3:30p
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Tues, April 21
Cancer Drug Discovery and Resistance
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Weds, April 22
Ask the CWRU IRB: Changes to Protocols Related to COVID-19 Mandates (3 CREC)
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Fri, April 24
Cancer Center Seminar Series
Evi Stavrou, MD
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Mon, April 27
Cancer Center Research Chalk Talk
Bill Schiemann, PhD
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Tues, April 28
CWRU Core Facilities Symposium
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Thurs, April 30
Cancer Center Special Seminar
"Understanding Breast Tumor Heterogeneity through Single-Cell Approaches"
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Fri, May 1
Cancer Center Seminar Series
Satish Viswanath, PhD
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Cancer Center Seminar Series
April 17, 12p
Our weekly cancer seminar series returns today with
Aziz Nazha, MD presenting, "An Artificial Intelligence Journey in Cancer Research" at noon.
Dr. Nazha is Director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Clinical AI, Associate Medical Director of Enterprise Analytics, and associate staff at Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute. He is also an assistant professor of medicine and a member of the Case CCC's Hematopoietic and Immune Cancer Biology Program.
Dr. Nazha is internationally recognized expert in treating patients with leukemia. His research focuses on using artificial intelligence, machine learning and deep learning to translate genomic and complex healthcare data into useful clinical tools that can improve patient outcomes. Additionally, he is a programmer and has developed multiple machine learning and deep learning models to improve the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options for patients with leukemia.
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Cancer Center Seminar Series
April 24, 12p
Next week's cancer center seminar features Evi Stavrou, MD presenting "Contribution of the Factor XII-uPAR Axis in Ovarian Cancer Maintenance and Progression" at noon via Zoom.
Dr. Stavrou is a staff physician in the division of hematology-oncology and Director of the Anticoagulation Clinic at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. She is also the Oscar D. Ratnoff Professor in Medicine and Hematology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
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Core Facilities and Shared Resources Symposium
April 28, 2020
The program kicks off at 8:30 am with opening remarks from Provost Ben Vinson III. Building on the first pillar of The University's Strategic Plan, "Ignite Interdisciplinarity," the program will feature a 3-part presentation from Prof. Tim Beal from the College of Arts & Sciences, Prof. Burcu Gurkan from the Case School of Engineering, and
Dr. Curtis Tatsuoka from the School of Medicine. Following a presentation of their work and the role our research infrastructure plays in it, presenters will participate in a moderated discussion featuring questions from our research community.
The morning will end with content for core facility managers, directors, and administrators. This seminar will be the first in a summer-long series on core facility management and best practices.
Connection bandwidth is limited, so registration is required. Registrants will be sent connection instructions.
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Clinical Research Retreat
May 20, 5-7 pm
Zoom
The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center invites members to join us for our first virtual Clinical Research Retreat on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 from 5-7 pm. Two keynote speakers will be addressing exciting topics in clinical research. The retreat agenda is below.
5:00 – Welcome Address
Special Topic: Effectively Communicating Informed Consent in Disparate Population
5:15 – "We've gone over a lot of things today - can you tell me in your own words what your options are?" - Writing and Speaking for Understanding
Speaker:
Lydia Furman, MD, Chair, University Hospitals Institutional Review Board
5:50 – Discussion and Questions
Special Topic: Translational Research Cycle, Bedside to Bench to Bedside
6:00 – "From the concepts to the bed-side: steps to follow"
6:35 – Discussion and Questions
6:45 – Closing Remarks
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Race for The Place 2020
June 7, 2020
Beachwood Place
The Gathering Place is hosting its annual "Race for the Place" 5K and 1-mile run/walk at Beachwood Place on National Cancer Survivors Day, Sunday, June 7. Proceeds from Race for the Place help support their
free programs and services.
The Gathering Place is a caring community that supports, educates and empowers individuals and families currently coping with the impact of cancer in their lives through programs and services provided
free of charge.
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Save The Date: Great Lakes Breast Cancer Symposium 2020
October 4-6, 2020
Tinkham Veale University Center, CWRU
As host site for the 2020 Great Lakes Breast Cancer Symposium, the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center encourages you to mark your calendar for the symposium taking place October 4-6, 2020.
The symposium highlights ongoing basic, translational, clinical and population studies addressing the biological mechanisms, management and prevention of breast cancer. Researchers from participating institutions will share their exciting work with a goal to develop cross-institutional collaborations.
This year's event features two keynote speakers:
- Carlos Arteaga, MD, Director of the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center
- Helen Piwnica-Worms, PhD, Professor of Experimental Radiation Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
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Additional Upcoming Events
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AACR Virtual Annual Meeting
April 27-28, 2020
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The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Virtual Annual Meeting will be held on April 27 and 28, 2020, and will include more than 30 oral presentations in several clinical trial plenary sessions along with commentaries from expert discussants, as well as clinical trial poster sessions consisting of short videos providing the authors’ perspectives.
This Virtual Meeting will be available free to everyone, although attendees are asked to register to participate.
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Inaugural Tee Off 4 Cancer Golf Classic
June 27, 2020
Mallard Creek Golf Club
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The 2020 Tee Off 4 Cancer Golf Classic will take place Saturday, June 27 at Mallard Creek Golf Club in Columbia Station, Ohio. Proceeds benefit the labs of Drs.
Vinay Varadan at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and
Danny Welch at the University of Kansas Cancer Center.
Players may join the classic for $95 which includes golf, range balls, lunch and dinner, plus beer, water, soda and sports drinks throughout play. Sponsorship packages are also available.
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Deadline: Monday, May 18, 2020
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With the generous support from VeloSano Bike to Cure 2019, the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC) is providing seed funding for highly innovative and potentially impactful proposals that will generate key data for larger, nationally competitive grants. Projects must be aligned with at least one of the eight Case CCC Research Initiatives (Cancer Genomics, Cancer Immunotherapy, Brain Tumors, AYA cancers, Drug Discovery and Development, Women’s Cancers, Community and Cancer Disparities, Computational Diagnostic Informatics) and the Center’s Strategic Plan. Collaborative, multi-investigator projects are particularly encouraged and preferred.
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Internal LOI deadline: Friday, April 17
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The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center has been invited to submit one nomination for the 2021 Pew-Stewart Scholars Program for Cancer Research.
The program supports assistant professors of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of a cure for cancer. The award provides $300,000 in flexible support—$75,000 per year for a four-year period. In line with the Stewart Trust's mission to invest in innovative, cutting-edge, basic cancer research that may accelerate and advance progress toward a cure for cancer, applications are invited from nominees conducting cancer research.
Interested candidates are asked to submit an LOI (including PI contact information and an abstract/project summary) and biosketch to
casecccpilots@case.edu
by Friday, April 17, 2020.
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LOI Deadline: Thursday, June 4
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The Mark Foundation Emerging Leader Awards support innovative research from the next generation of leaders in cancer research. These grants are awarded to outstanding early career investigators to support high-impact, high-risk projects that are distinct from their current research portfolio.
The awards provide $250,000 of support for 3 years, totaling $750,000. Eligible applicants must be three to eight years from the start of an independent faculty research appointment.
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Radiology Today
“The goal is to render the best possible diagnosis, prognosis, and subsequent treatment strategy. So, it behooves us to look at how to cohesively integrate all gathered information,” says
Anant Madabhushi, PhD
in an interview with
Radiology Today.
Dr. Madabhushi is the F. Alex Nason Professor II of Biomedical Engineering and Director of the Center for Computational Imaging and Personalized Diagnostics at Case Western Reserve University. He is also a member of the
Case CCC's Cancer Imaging Program.
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Spectrum News 1 - April 8, 2020
First-year medical students at
Case Western Reserve University are now using "hologram technology" in their homes to continue learning through this health crisis. COVID-19 caused the school to go to remote learning and the university started using holograms for their students so they can continue their education from home.
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Weekly NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices
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Notices
Funding Opportunities
First standard application due date: May 25, 2020
Deadlines: November 18, 2020; June 6, 2021; November 18, 2021; June 6, 2022; November 18, 2022; June 6, 2023
Deadlines: July 24, 2020; June 24, 2021
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Use the button below to submit all your news, events, announcements and communications requests to the Case CCC Marketing and Communications team!
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