Case CCC News - Dec 2, 2017

December 2 , 2017

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Stan Gerson, MD

Director, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

slg5@case.edu

AACI Rejects Administration's Proposal to Cut Reimbursement to Cancer Hospitals

AACI recently released a message in opposition to CMS' proposal to cut hospital reimbursement, outlining how this decision will most negatively impact patients.

The Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) opposes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)' Medicare Programs: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment Systems (OPPS) rule, released on November 1. The rule will cut hospital 340B reimbursement from average sales price (ASP) plus 6 percent to ASP minus 22.5 percent.

The administration's decision will impact those most in need: patients. Nearly 1.7 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in 2017 and 600,000 will die of the disease. AACI cancer centers and their regional community-based networks, including those in rural areas, provide care for an estimated 700,000 newly diagnosed patients with cancer, representing as much as 40 percent of the nation's cancer burden. These centers of excellence provide state of the art treatments for cancer, operate to the highest standards, and are recognized for their scientific acumen and commitment to patient care. more>

MEMBER/CENTER HIGHLIGHTS

American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting 2017

The American Society of Hematology (ASH) will hold its annual meeting December 9-12, 2017 in Atlanta, GA. This meeting highlights science in malignant and non-malignant hematology. We have strong representation from the Case CCC, with many members and trainees attending, leading sessions and presenting. Best of luck to all participants!

View list of Case Comprehensive Cancer Center presentations [ ASH Annual Meeting 2017].

San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2017

The first week in December 2017 researchers and health professionals will come together for the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The event provides a forum to discuss basic, clinical and translational research, and advance progress against breast cancer.

View list of Case Comprehensive Cancer Center presentations [ San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2017].

Computer Program Finds New Uses for Old Drugs

Researchers at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and led by Rong Xu and Analisa DiFeo have developed a computer program to find new indications for old drugs. The computer program, called DrugPredict, matches existing data about FDA-approved drugs to diseases, and predicts potential drug efficacy. In a recent study published in Oncogene, the researchers successfully translated DrugPredict results into the laboratory, and showed common pain medications-like aspirin-can kill patient-derived epithelial ovarian cancer cells.

In the new study, DrugPredict suggested non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also known as NSAIDs, could have applications for epithelial ovarian cancer. The researchers exposed patient-derived epithelial ovarian cancer cells growing in their laboratory to a specific NSAID, indomethacin, and confirmed the DrugPredict finding. Indomethacin killed both drug-resistant and drug-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer cells. Interestingly, cisplatin-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer cells were most sensitive to indomethacin. When the researchers added chemotherapy drugs to the experiments, the cancer cells died even faster. The findings could represent the first step toward a new therapy regimen for epithelial ovarian cancer. more>

Case-Coulter Translational Research Partnership awards $1.1 million for promising university-based biomedical engineering technologies

The Case-Coulter Translational Research Partnership has awarded more than $1.1 million in financial backing and other support for the 2017 round of funding.

The partnership, a collaboration between Case Western Reserve University and the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation, selected seven advanced projects for full funding and four earlier-stage projects for pilot grants-research covering such patient needs as more effective brain cancer surgery, oral cancer diagnosis and devices to control pain.

Projects led by Cancer Center members include:

Novel molecular imaging agent for surgical resection of invasive brain tumors
Research leads: Susann Brady-Kalnay, professor of molecular biology and microbiology; James Basilion, professor of radiology and biomedical engineering; and Andrew Sloan, professor of neurosurgery

LunIRiS: Decision support tool for lung nodule risk prediction on screening CT
Research leads: Anant Madabhushi, the F. Alex Nason Professor II of biomedical engineering; and Robert Gilkeson, professor of radiology

Point-of-care device for monitoring and diagnosis of oral cancer
Research leads: Aaron Weinberg, associate dean for research, chair of the Department of Biological Sciences and professor; Umut Gurkan, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; and Santosh Ghosh, senior research associate

Polarization-sensitive OCT (PSOCT) image guidance for RFA therapy of atrial fibrillation

Research leads: Andrew Rollins, professor of biomedical engineering and medicine; and Mauricio Arruda, associate professor of medicine

Point-of-care device for diagnosis of cystic fibrosis in newborns
Research leads: Miklos Gratzl, associate professor of biomedical engineering; and James Chmiel, associate professor of pediatrics

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Global Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Congress

Dec 5-7, 2017 | Atlanta, GA

Building on the success of Teenage Cancer Trust's International Conference Series and the professional global networks that have developed through subsequent world-wide advances in AYA cancer services, Teen Cancer America is proud to host the 2nd Global AYA Cancer Congress. This will be the first Congress held outside of the UK, in the wonderful host city of Atlanta, Georgia. Healthcare professionals from across the world, including oncologists, hematologists, research scientists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, youth workers, allied health professionals, advocates, and more, are invited to join this groundbreaking summit.

The Case CCC is pleased to be a partner on this event. Watch the newsletter for future updates on AYA research efforts.

Call for Abstracts: 2nd Annual Cancer Disparities Symposium

The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and Office of Cancer Disparities Research will host the " 2nd Annual Cancer Disparities Symposium: Taking it to the Streets: Where Cancer Disparities Research and Community Intersect," on Friday, March 23, 2018.

This event will showcase cutting-edge research, with a focus on reducing and eliminating disparities in cancer, going from bench-to-bedside-to-community and back. This important symposium will also feature two keynote addresses, including a key leader in our community, and an internationally-recognized cancer disparities researcher. We will promote the exchange of ideas and collaborative opportunities among scientists, clinicians, government, and community representatives.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

We invite abstracts from attendees, organized into two areas: Academic Science and Community. Abstracts must be submitted via email to caseccc-OCDR@case.edu by 5 pm on January 5, 2018. Visit the event website for more information.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

CWRU Center for Reducing Health Disparities Pilot Awards to Understand and/or Reduce Health Disparities

Deadline: Dec 15, 2017

The CWRU Center for Reducing Health Disparities is accepting applications for Pilot Awards to Understand and/or Reduce Health Disparities. These awards aim to develop investigators with a high capacity to engage in partnerships with communities to conduct high-quality health disparities research. Investigations of interest include the development, pilot testing, and/or dissemination of community-based studies to understand and/or eliminate health disparities.

AACR Scholar-in-Training Awards: Annual Meeting

Deadline: Dec 7, 2017

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Scholar-in-Training Awards are highly competitive and recognize outstanding young investigators presenting meritorious proffered papers at the AACR Annual Meeting. To apply for a Scholar-in-Training Award, applicants must first submit their abstract and then complete a Scholar-in-Training Award Application.

BETRNet Pilot Project Award Program

Deadline: Jan 31, 2018

The CWRU Barrett's Esophagus Translational Research Network (BETRNet) Research Center, supported by NIH/NCI U54CA163060, announces a program to encourage innovative transdisciplinary and translational research related to Barrett's Esophagus (BE). The overall objectives of the program are: 1) to encourage innovative transdisciplinary and translational research, especially high risk/high impact research; 2) to explore emerging opportunities and to enhance productivity of the research projects in the BETRNet, and; 3) to attract new researchers, resources and technologies to conduct translational research on BE and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma (EAC).

Limited awards of up to $40,000/year will be made to eligible applicants for one year, with the possibility of a second year of funding based on the success of the pilot. Pilot projects must have a transdisciplinary approach and translational research plan focused on BE and/or EAC in one of the focus areas defined by BETRNet.

NIH BULLETIN- Notices and Funding Opportunities

Call for Applications/Program Announcements

Mobile Health: Technology and Outcomes in Low and Middle Income Countries (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)(PAR-18-242)

Deadline: Aug 31, 2018

Intervening with Cancer Caregivers to Improve Patient Health Outcomes and Optimize Health Care Utilization (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)(PAR-18-246)

Deadline: Apr 11, 2018; Oct 10, 2018; April 11, 2019

Intervening with Cancer Caregivers to Improve Patient Health Outcomes and Optimize Health Care Utilization (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)(PAR-18-247)

Deadline: Apr 11, 2018; Oct 10, 2018; Apr 11, 2019

Quantitative Imaging Tools and Methods for Cancer Therapy Response Assessment (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)(PAR-18-248)

Deadline: May 9, 2018; Sep 12, 2018; Jan 9, 2019; May 9, 2019; Sep 12, 2019; Jan 9, 2020

Quantitative Imaging Tools and Methods for Cancer Response Assessment (U01 Clinical Trial Optional)(PAR-18-249)

Deadline: May 9, 2018; Sep 12, 2018; Jan 9, 2019; May 9, 2019; Sep 12, 2019; Jan 9, 2020

Improving Smoking Cessation in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Populations via Scalable Interventions (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)(PAR-18-250)
Deadline: Jun 13, 2018; Oct 11, 2018, Jun 13, 2019

Improving Smoking Cessation in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Populations via Scalable Interventions (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)(PAR-18-251)
Deadline: Jun 13, 2018; Oct 11, 2018, Jun 13, 2019

Image-guided Drug Delivery (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)(PAR-18-252)
Deadline: Jun 21, 2018; Nov 22, 2018

Surgical Disparities Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)(PAR-18-288)
Deadline:Jun 7, 2018; Jun 7, 2019

Exploratory/Developmental Surgical Disparities Research (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)(PAR-18-289)
Deadline:Jun 7, 2018; Jun 7, 2019

Paul Calabresi Career Development Award for Clinical Oncology (K12 Clinical Trial Optional)(PAR-18-292)
Deadline: Jun 15, 2018

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EVENTS

Tues, Dec 5

Radiation Oncology Grand Rounds
Kate Sandstrom, CNP
Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
"Radiation Survivorship: Recommendations and Future Challenges"
8:10a Lerner B-151

Thurs, Dec 7

Developmental Therapeutics Journal Club
9a R4-013

Fri, Dec 8

Cancer Center Seminar Series
Sam Xiao,PhD
Associate Professor, Pathology, CWRU
"Fire and ICE: Induction of inflammatory responses through gasdermins and caspases"
12p WRB 1-413

Mon, Dec 11

Genomic Medicine Institute Quantitative Health Sciences
Bing Ren, PhD
Director, UCSD Center for Epigenomics
Professor, Cellular and Molecular Medicine
University of California, San Diego
"Epigenomics of Development and Disease"
12p NE1-205

Wed, Dec 13

PRCHN Seminar
Laura Samuel, PhD, CRNP Rachel Cahill, MPA "The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program and Health Outcomes for Low-income Older Adults"
12p PRCHN Ground Floor Conference Room

Thurs, Dec 14

Multidisciplinary Genitourinary Oncology Course: Focus on Kidney, Bladder, and Testicular Cancer
8a-4:30p InterContinental
Details and Registration

Developmental Therapeutics Journal Club
9a R4-013

Fri, Dec 15

Taussig Cancer Institute Grand Rounds
Girish Kunapareddy, MD
Cleveland Clinic
"Process Improvement and Systems Redesign to Enhance Quality Care in Oncology Patients"
8a CA5-120

Cancer Center Seminar Series
Monica Webb Hooper, PhD Professor, Oncology, Psychological Sciences, Family Medicine & Community Health Case Comprehensive Cancer Center Case Western Reserve University Topic: "Tobacco Quitlines as the Great Equalizer: Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Equity-Based Intervention Systems"
12p WRB 1-413