newsletter masthead
June 21, 2019
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Dr. Stan Gerson
Stan Gerson, MD
Director, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Latest Edition of The Cancer Letter Highlights Research Hardship

Please have a look at last week's edition of The Cancer Letter, freely distributed and linked for all to see.

Both the AACI, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Center directors, and now NCAB, are asking NCI, and through the NCAB, the US administration, to appreciate the research hardship of the 50% increase in grant submissions to the NCI with a resulting reduction to an abysmal 8% payline and 13% success rate.

The NCI Cancer Center directors proposed a goal towards a 15% payline, but even 12% would be a significant improvement.

Please review the dialogue in The Cancer Letter. While an improvement may be slow in coming, at least it has been heard. 

Additionally, to ensure competitiveness when preparing your applications, please also reflect on the updates to application instructions and review criteria for research grant applications issued by the NIH and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality last fall and effective January 25 of this year. It is important to note these changes reflect an evolving perspective on the rigor of prior research that supports the project. In addition, applications with human subjects must now address inclusion across the lifespan.
MEMBER/CENTER HIGHLIGHTS
Don't Forget: Register for the Case CCC's Annual Scientific Retreat
Please join us for the 2019 Case Comprehensive Cancer Center's Annual Scientific Retreat July 25 and 26 - one of the few times a year our entire center is able to enjoy the company of one another and collaborate.

All students, postdocs, and fellows conducting cancer research are invited to  submit abstracts by Friday, July 5 for the retreat. Cancer Center leadership will review abstracts based on the relationship to cancer, novelty, significance of findings and clarity.  Register for retreat today>
Registration Now Open: Artificial Intelligence in Oncology Symposium
On October 24, the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center will host the inaugural Artificial Intelligence in Oncology Symposium: Advancements in Policy at Case Western Reserve University.

The symposium will bring together experts in AI and machine learning  as well as clinical, industry and federal agency experts in pathology, radiology, oncology and immuno-oncology to speak on research developments, regulatory policy, reimbursement and ethics surrounding AI.

Symposium Highlights:
  • Focused panel discussions
  • Networking opportunities
  • Exhibitions available throughout the day
Be sure to register by August 30, 2019 to secure our discounted early bird registration. A discounts for students and trainees who wish to attend is available. We look forward to seeing you in October!  Save your seat>
Members, Spare a Minute?
The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center is considering Case CCC logo the development of a cross-institution Women's Cancers Initiative to stimulate collaborative interactions and reinforce research in breast and gynecologic cancers.

If you are currently conducting research in women's cancers or have an interest in doing so, please complete the following survey.

We will compile the survey data and then contact members who completed the survey regarding next steps. Thank you! Complete the Women's Cancers Initiative survey>
Experimental Glioblastoma Vaccine Shows Promise in Slowing Brain Tumor Growth
Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic are helping lead a clinical trial of a new immunotherapeutic treatment for glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer.

Neuro-oncologist and director of the Brain Metastasis Research Program at Cleveland Clinic Manmeet
Dr. Ahluwalia
Ahluwalia, MD said, "D espite improvements in surgery, medical therapies and radiation, outcomes from treatment of glioblastoma still remain dismal." Ahluwalia, a member of the Case CCC's Developmental Therapeutics Program, is helping lead the clinical trial of the treatment, called SurVaxM.

Initial results of the trial have been encouraging with nearly 97% of the 63 patients involved not experiencing tumor progression in the 6 months following treatment with the vaccine after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. more>
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Center of Excellence Retreat in Lymphoid Malignancies Research
July 12, 2019, 8a-4:30p | InterContinental

On behalf of Neetu Gupta, PhD and Brian Hill, MD, PhD, you are invited to attend the Center of Excellence Retreat in Lymphoid Malignancies Research on Friday, July 12 at the InterContinental Hotel & Conference Center in Cleveland, OH. 

The retreat will take place in the six continents meeting room from 8 am-4:30 pm with a keynote lecture from Lee Greenberger, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Reservations for this retreat are required. Please contact Becky Habecker, Lymphoma Program Manager at [email protected] or 216.445.2612 if you are interested in attending.
Cheer, Volunteer, Donate or Ride with Team Case CCC
July 19-21, 2019 | Cleveland, OH

We are officially less than one month away from VeloSano Bike to Cure weekend! To-date, Team Case CCC has 65 members  who are committed to cancer research, prevention, treatment and cures and have  raised $26,068  and counting. We've grown by 4 members and raised $2,563 in the past week!

While we are still welcoming riders to our team, you can also get involved by volunteering for our cheer station or donating to any rider or the team as a whole to show your support!
NCCN 2019 Annual Congress: Hematologic Malignancies™
September 27-28, 2019 | San Francisco, CA
NCCN logo
World-renowned experts in the management of Hematologic Malignancies will present the latest treatment advances, updates to the standard of care as recommended in the NCCN Guidelines® and unique and challenging patient cases at the NCCN 2019 Annual Congress: Hematologic Malignancies™ in San Francisco, CA this Fall.

Co-chaired by Ranjana H. Advani, MD, Stanford Cancer Institute and Andrew D. Zelenetz, MD, PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, this one-and-a-half day program features presentations and panel discussions on patient cases highlighting the treatment options and supportive care for a variety of hematologic malignancies. more>
Pediatric Cancer Survivorship Symposium
September 28, 2019, 8a-3:30p | Cleveland Clinic

The Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Cancer Survivorship Symposium will features speakers on using technology to stay healthy after treatment, future fertility, heart health, the financial impact of cancer treatment and upcoming directions in research for cancer survivorship. A Keynote Address will be delivered by Tim Folse,  MD from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital who will discuss Primary Care Perspective on Caring for Cancer Survivors.

Patients can bring up to two guests each. Click here to for the event.  Please reach out to Jasmine Boutros at [email protected] with any questions. We hope to see you there!
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Open Funding Opportunities at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center is currently Case CCC logo accepting applications for the following additional funding opportunities. Click each opportunity for award descriptions, funding criteria and application instructions.
AACR Outstanding Investigator Award for Breast Cancer Research, supported by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Deadline: August 01, 2019

The AACR Outstanding Investigator Award for Breast AACR logo Cancer Research, funded by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, recognizes an investigator of no more than 50 years of age whose novel and significant work has had or may have a far-reaching impact on the etiology, detection, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of breast cancer. Such work may involve any discipline across the continuum of biomedical research, including basic, translational, clinical and epidemiological studies.

The recipient of the award will receive a $15,000 honorarium and present a 25-minute lecture at the 42nd Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The symposium will be held December 10-14, 2019, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, TX. View eligibility information and nomination procedure>

AACR Outstanding Investigator Award for Breast Cancer Research, supported by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Deadline: August 01, 2019

The AACR established this Award to recognize an early career investigator on the basis of their meritorious achievements in basic cancer research.

The Award recipient will receive a $5,000 honorarium and present an award lecture at the AACR Annual Meeting 2020 in San Diego, California. View eligibility information and nomination procedure>
NCCN/Pfizer Enhancing Academic-Community-P atient Partnerships in Metastatic Breast Cancer 
Deadline: August 28, 2019

National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN)
NCCN logo
is collaborating with Pfizer Global Medical Grants (Pfizer) to offer a new grant opportunity for improving care for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Management goals in this situation focus on improving quality and length of life as there is, to date, no known cure. 

The intent of this RFP is to encourage investigators at NCCN Member Institutions to submit proposals describing concepts for developing best practices and collaborative oncology care models between academic centers and referring community providers.  The overarching goal is to leverage the expertise and resources of NCCN-designated cancer centers to improve quality and outcomes across the continuum of care for all MBC patients. Log in to the NCCN Oncology Research Program site to view grant opportunities>

NCCN views this collaboration with Pfizer as clear recognition of the advantages offered to NCCN Member Institutions through the NCCN Oncology Research Program.
Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
Pre-Application Deadline: September 17, 2019
The Department of Defense's Congressionally Directed CDMRP logo Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) recently released additional funding opportunities. Pre-application and application deadlines vary by award. Click thee program below to view award announcements and application instructions. 

FY19 Kidney Cancer Research Program
  • Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators - Dean Award
  • Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators - Early Career Investigator Award
  • Clinical Consortium Award
IN THE NEWS
Crain's Cleveland Business - June 18, 2019
This feature notes a $2.1 million NIH grant to  Justin Lathia, PhD for new glioblastoma treatment strategies and a $3.2 million grant from the NCI to  Emina Huang, MD and Oliver Wessely, PhD. Lathia, Huang, and Wessely are members of the Case CCC.

Study Finds - June 19, 2019
"If you are obese, you are at a higher risk of cancer. If you lose weight, it improves the prognosis and may lower your risk, but it never goes away completely," said Nathan A. Berger, MD. Dr. Berger is the Hanna-Payne Professor of Experimental Medicine and Director of the Center for Science Health and Society at CWRU. He is also a member of the Case CCC's GI Cancer Genetics Program. 
NIH BULLETIN - Notices and Funding Opportunities
Notices
Notice of Change to the Award Budget for PAR-18-801 "Cancer Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment Technologies for Low-Resource Settings (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Optional)"

Notice of Change to the Award Budget for PAR-18-802 "Cancer Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment Technologies for Low-Resource Settings (R41/R42 - Clinical Trial Optional)"

Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for U.S. and Low- and Middle-Income Country (LMIC) HIV Malignancy Research Networks (U54)

Notice of Pre-Application Webinars for the High-Risk, High-Reward Research Program's Pioneer (RFA-RM-19-005), New Innovator (RFA-RM-19-006), Transformative Research (RFA-RM-19-007), and Early Independence (RFA-RM-19-008) Awards
IN THIS ISSUE
EVENTSevents
Fri, June 21
Taussig Cancer Institute Grand Rounds - CCF ONLY
James Kochenderfer, MD
National Cancer Institute
"Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Therapy for Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma"
8a CA5-120
Mon, June 24
Dept. of Pathology Defense
Jin Young (Leo) Kim
Rich Lab
"Metabolic Control of Stem-Like Epigenome in Glioblastoma Stem Cells"
1p WRB Auditorium
Weds, June 26
ASCO Review
7:30a-4p Intercontinental
Thurs, June 27
Developmental Therapeutics Journal Club
9a NE6-218

Molecular Biology and Microbiology Virology Journal Club
1p SOM W203

Helen Moss Foundation-Schoff Family Professorship in Integrative Oncology Celebration
4:30p WRB Auditorium
Fri, June 28
Taussig Cancer Institute Grand Rounds
Eren Berber, MD
"An Update on Minimally Invasive Treatment of Malignant Liver Tumors"
8a CA5-120
Tues, July 2
UH Radiation Oncology Grand Rounds
Prateek Mendiratta, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
"Updates in Management of Advance Melanoma"
8:10a B-181
Thurs, July 4
Developmental Therapeutics Journal Club
9a N E 6-218

CWRU Closed for Independence Day
Fri, July 5
Taussig Cancer Institute Grand Rounds
8a CA5-120
ADDITIONAL UPCOMING SYMPOSIUMS & EVENTS
prev-funding
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED OPPORTUNITIES

Deadline: Open

Deadline: Open

Deadline: Open
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center