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March 6, 2018
VELOSANO 2018
Kick-Off to VeloSano 2018
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VeloSano raised $4,175,943 in 2017. Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC) was a huge part of that! We raised $99,252.00, making us one of the top 10 teams for fundraising. Case CCC will receive $500,000 of VeloSano funding as the result of your hard work and dedication. Please watch for information on applying for a pilot grant. 

Mark your calendars
Team Kick-Off/Happy Hour, Friday, March 16 from 4-6pm at the Jolly Scholar in Thwing on Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) campus. 
 
Join our team!
If you can't make it to our kick-off event, please visit our   team website and register to ride with us this year. We have had steady growth over the last three years both in riders and money raised. Let's make a goal this year to have 100 riders and raise $150,000. Ask friends, family and even your barista to ride, to donate, to be part of something special. We will easily build our team and our community!  Contact Team Captains Caroline El Sanadi ( [email protected]) or Mary Wright ( [email protected]) with any questions.

The Case CCC is once again placing an emphasis on team unity in VeloSano participation this year and encourages all principal investigators who plan to participate to register themselves and their riders under the "umbrella" of the Team Case CCC. We encourage this instead of registering for your own teams this year.  
Pilot Projects from VeloSano Bike to Cure
Deadline: Mar 30, 2018
With the generous support from VeloSano Bike to Cure 2017, the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center is providing seed funding for highly innovative and impactful proposals that will generate key data for larger, nationally competitive grants. Projects aligned with at least one of six new Research Initiatives (Cancer Genomics, Cancer Immunotherapy, Brain Tumors, Drug Discovery and Development, Women's Cancers, Community Outreach and Cancer Health Disparities) and the Center's Strategic Plan are preferred. Collaborative, multi-investigator projects are particularly encouraged.
 
Eligibility for funds will be restricted to PIs whose lab participated in VeloSano Bike to Cure 2017 (PI or lab members were riders, virtual riders, or volunteers). In addition, the lead PI of the application must not be eligible for Cleveland Clinic VeloSano funding. Co-PIs and Co-investigators are not required to have been VeloSano participants. All awardees (PI/Co-PI) are expected to participate in VeloSano 2018 and must present their research progress when requested by the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.
MEMBER/CENTER HIGHLIGHTS
The Noa Noy Memorial Fund
Noy, Noa We are honored to announce an award fund in memory of Noa Noy, PhD, to support student and trainee participation in the FASEB Science Research Conferences.

Noa earned her PhD from Tel Aviv University (Israel) and trained as a postdoctoral fellow at the Weizmann Institute for Sciences (Israel) and UCSF. In 1992, she launched her independent research program as an assistant professor at the Cornell Weill Medical College. Her long and productive career included professorial positions at Cornell University, the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and the Lerner Research Institute of the Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Noy's research focused on deciphering the biological actions of lipid-soluble nutrients and hormones, primarily fatty acids and retinoids. Findings from Noa's group uncovered how these compounds impact cellular behavior by modulating gene expression, cell signaling, and metabolism. These basic findings illuminated a diverse array of biomedical questions, including cancer biology, glucose homeostasis, and circadian rhythms. 

Promising New Combination Drug Therapy Treats Several Models of Lethal Lung Cancer
George Stark New research from the laboratory of  George Stark, PhD, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center,  Lerner Research Institute Department of Cancer Biology, suggests that combining cisplatin with a new experimental drug called CBL0137 is highly effective in treating Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) and may work by affecting three different pro-cancer pathways [ De, Cancer Res, 2018].

CBL0137-which was discovered at Cleveland Clinic in the laboratory of Andrei Gudkov, PhD, DSci, former chair of Lerner Research Institute's Department of Molecular Biology (now renamed)-has been shown to have positive effects in several types of cancer. To investigate the drug's potential efficacy in SCLC, the researchers treated four SCLC cell lines-three patient-derived and one derived from a preclinical disease model-with either cisplatin, CBL0137 or a combination of both drugs. The cells treated with the combination therapy had greatly reduced cancer cell survival and tumor growth compared to the cells treated with either drug alone, suggesting that CBL0137 helps prevent and overcome cisplatin resistance.

Further analysis revealed that CBL0137's potency in SCLC is multi-dimensional. The study findings suggest that CBL0137 attacks a combination of three different cellular pathways that contribute to lethal chemotherapy resistance. 

Co-authors on the study include Sarmishtha De, PhD, Daniel J Lindner, PhD, Claire Coleman, Gary Wildey, PhD, and Afshin Dowlati, MD. This first phase study was funded by VeloSano Bike to Cure.  more>
Discovery of Protein-Protein Interaction Offers Important Insight into Lethal Breast Cancer Causes, Treatment
A research collaboration between Cleveland scientists from Lerner Research Institute and Case Comprehensive Cancer Center uncovers for the first time how two proteins work together to drive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a lethal type of breast cancer with particularly poor prognosis. The researchers say discovery of this pro-cancer pathway offers a potential target for new treatment strategies, which are desperately needed for a class of cancer which is resistant to all current standard of care therapies.

Khalid Sossey-Alaoui Previous research has established that a protein called WAVE3 contributes to the growth and spread of tumors in many types of cancer, including breast cancers. The current  study, published in Oncotarget, explains how and why this happens in TNBC. The key, the team of researchers, led by Khalid Sossey-Alaoui, PhDDepartment of Molecular Cardiology, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, discovered, is WAVE3's association with cancer stem cells (CSCs)-an aggressive class of cancer cells that self-replicate and rapidly grow and spread. more>
REMINDER: Take the Shared Resource Survey
The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center has 13 Shared Resources that provide valuable services to Case CCC members and affiliated investigators. To ensure we are meeting the needs of our members, we ask that you complete the Case CCC Shared Resource Survey

We thank you in advance for taking the time to complete the survey and provide your feedback. Survey participants will be entered into a drawing for $100 off their next service. 
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Cancer Center Seminar Series
March 9, 2018 | Wolstein 1-413
CCSS flyer - Parameswaran - Mar 9
Click image to view larger.
Join us Friday, March 9 at noon in Wolstein Research Building Room 1-413 for the weekly Cancer Center Seminar Series to hear Reshmi Parameswaran, PhD, MS, Assistant Professor of Medicine, and 
Member of the Hematopoietic and Immune Cancer Biology Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, discuss " BAFF receptor- A novel therapeutic target for B cell malignancies."

Reshmi Parameswaran is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Department of Medicine. Her lab focuses on developing novel immunotherapy methods for hematologic malignancies and cell therapy methods using Natural Killer (NK) cells. She is also trying to elucidate the mechanism of drug resistance in leukemia patients. 
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
 
Now in its second year, the Cancer Disparities Symposium will build upon the progress of the 2017 symposium, showcasing cutting-edge research, with a focus on reducing and eliminating disparities in cancer, going from bench-to-bedside-community and back. Join researchers, clinicians and community leaders for this exciting event!  

There is no cost to attend, but we do ask that you pre-register

This is a research-focused meeting targeted at a research audience, and your participation is necessary to enhance the conversation of the day and shape this area of research for the Case CCC and our partners going forward. 

Participants are eligible to receive 6 Continuing Research Education Credits (CRECs). 

CSC 2018 - web banner
Cancer Stem Cell Conference (CSC 2018), hosted by the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and National Center for Regenerative Medicine, is designed to bring together individuals working in the field of cancer stem cell research. CSC 2018 will feature renowned keynote speakers and leaders in the field. This conference is guaranteed to have cutting edge research from a variety of niches within the field.  Join us August 6-8, 2018 at the Tinkham Veale University Center on CWRU campus! 

Call for Abstracts
The Cancer Stem Cell conference will feature oral and poster presentations selected from submitted abstracts. 
All trainees and faculty conducting related research to the topic area are invited to submit abstracts.

To be considered for the Young Investigator Award, abstract submission should also be accompanied by a CV and a letter of support from a current or previous mentor, or colleague. This award is open to senior trainees or junior faculty (less than 5 years from their first independent position).

Abstract submission deadline is Tuesday, May 15 at 5pm to [email protected]

DNA Repair Symp Banner The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and Case Western Reserve University will host the 20th Annual Midwest DNA Repair Symposium May 5-6, 2018 . This symposium is a great opportunity for people working on DNA damage and repair in the midwest area to gather together and discuss science! The agenda promises exciting science and opportunities for networking, poster presentations, and keynote presentations from field experts  Stephen Kowalczykowski and Lee Zou

Call for Abstracts
The 20th Annual Midwest DNA Repair Symposium will feature oral and poster presentations.  All graduate students, postdocs, research technician, faculty and fellows conducting related research are invited to submit abstracts. Monetary Prizes will be awarded.

Abstracts must be 500 words or less and fit on an 8 ½ x 11" paper with 1" margins on all sides. Please use Arial 11 font. 

Include the title and authors at the top, acknowledgements at the bottom. You may include figures or illustrations, but they must fit on the same page as the abstract text.  Please indicate whether you prefer oral or poster presentation.

Abstract submission deadline is Monday, April 2 at 5pm to [email protected]
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
CDMRP:  
Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program 
Anticipated Funding Opportunities for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18)
CDMRP Due to the current Continuing Resolution, the FY18 Defense Appropriations bill has not been passed. Although funds have not been appropriated for the Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP), the PRCRP is providing the information in this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan and develop ideas for submission to the anticipated FY18 funding opportunities.

FY18 PRCRP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on Grants.gov in April 2018. Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcements are released.  This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the Government, and funding of research projects received in response to these Program Announcements is contingent on the availability of Federal funds appropriated for the PRCRP.
Limited Submission: V Foundation for Cancer Research 2018 V Scholar Award
Internal Deadline: March 10, 2018 at 5p ET
Nomination Deadline: April 2, 2018 at 5p ET
Application Deadline: May 1, 2018 at 5p ET
V Foundation logo The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center is invited to submit ONE nominee for consideration for the V Scholar Award Award.

The V Scholar Award supports young tenure-track faculty early in their cancer research career by funding projects that are either laboratory-based fundamental research or translational research. The total amount of the grant is $200,000 awarded in two annual installments of $100,000 each. Only direct costs of the research are supported by this award. 

To be considered for the nomination, submit a one-page LOI and biosketch to [email protected] by March 10, 2018. 
Limited Submission: 2018 V Foundation Translational Cancer Research Grant
Internal Deadline: March 24, 2018 at 5p ET
Nomination Deadline: April 16, 2018 at 5p ET
Application Deadline: May 30, 2018 at 5p ET
V Foundation logo The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center is invited to submit ONE nominee for consideration for the  2018 V Foundation Translational Cancer Research Grant.

The V Foundation for Cancer Research seeks to support translational research projects within the scope of all types of cancers. The Translational Research Award is a $600,000 grant awarded in three annual installments of $200,000. Indirect costs up to a maximum of 10% within the total award are permitted.

To be considered for the nomination, submit a one-page LOI and biosketch to  [email protected]  by March 24, 2018 . 
IN THE NEWS
Men's Health - Mar 5, 2018
Although it's one of the less common forms of cancer,  testicular cancer  is still pretty scary - especially because, compared to other types of cancer, it's more likely to strike the younger you are. "Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 15 to 35," says Timothy Gilligan, M.D., a testicular cancer medical oncologist at Cleveland Clinic, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. In fact, 79 percent of all cases of testicular cancer occur in men 44 or younger,  according to  the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and EndResults Program (SEER).
Cancer survivor works to create facilities for teens with the disease
TODAY - Mar 1, 2018
Every year, some 70,000 teens and young people are diagnosed with cancer, and they often feel out of place in pediatric wards and adult cancer units alike. A cancer survivor is working with a group called Teen Cancer America to change that. NBC's Kate Snow reports for TODAY.  Dr. John Letterio , Co-Leader, Developmental Therapeutics Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division Chief, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, UH Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital and Angie Fowler Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Institute, University Hospitals : "Anything we can do to support our patients, anything we can do to connect them with other individuals - teens and young adults - going through the same experience, the better their psychological health will be. And in the long run, they'll be healthier survivors of cancer."
Feb 23, 2018 - Forum Club of Southwest Florida
Dr. Stan Gerson, Director of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, is the invited speaker at the Forum Club of Southwest Florida. 
AMA Wire - Feb 20, 2018
The problems in the American health care system are complex. By embedding first-year medical students within the system as health navigators for high-utilization patients, a program at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (CWRU) is turning to the next generation of physicians to help solve them...
Heidi Gullett, MD, MPH, is an assistant professor of family medicine and community health at CWRU, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, who helped develop the Patient Navigator program. In the program's first year, 19 students devoted 375 work hours to helping newly arrived refugee families who were patients at the Neighborhood Family Practice, where Dr. Gullett practices.  "One of the hallmarks across all the patients that were part of this program was that the social determinants of health were a big impact on their health status, so our students were really learning about not just how to navigate the health care system but also how to navigate all these ancillary things that are impacting their social determinants," Dr. Gullet said.
NIH BULLETIN- Notices and Funding Opportunities
rfas 
Notices
Request for Information (RFI): Soliciting Input for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Strategic Plan for Data Science (NOT-OD-18-134)

Program Announcements
Clinical Coordinating Center for NCCIH Multi-Site Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials of Natural Products (Collaborative UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required)(PAR-18-696)

Natural Product Multi-Site Clinical Trial Data Coordinating Center (Collaborative U24 Clinical Trial Required)(PAR-18-697)
IN THIS ISSUE
EVENTSevents
Tues, Mar 6
Immunology Seminar
Claire Mazahery "Regulation of CD8+T cells during opioid use"
12p WRB 1-413

THOR Seminar
Ulrich Steidl, MD, PhD Professor, Medical Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
12p NE1-205
Wed, Mar 7
Virology Journal Club
Ivelisse Resto Garay
12p WRT206

Thurs, Mar 8
Developmental Therapeutics Journal Club

Fri, Mar 9
TCI Grand Rounds
9a CA5-120

Cancer Center Seminar Series
Reshmi Parameswaran, MS, PhD 
Assistant Professor, Medicine, Case Western Reserve University; Member, Hematopoietic and Immune Cancer Biology Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
"AFF receptor - A novel therapeutic target for B cell malignancies"
12p WRB 1-413
Mon, Mar 12
Pathology Research Seminar Series
Leo Kim
Rich Lab, CWRU
"Identifying niche-independent oncogenic factors in glioblastoma"
12p WRB 1-413
Tues, Mar 13
THOR Seminar
Jonathan Kane, PhD Xstrahl Inc.
"Targeting radiation in small animal cancer models"
1p NE1-205
Wed, Mar 14
Prevention Research Center for Health Neighborhoods (PRCHN) Seminar
Darcy Freedman, PhD
PRCHN Associate Director and Associate Professor, CWRU BCOP Team "Building Capacity for Obesity Prevention (BCOP)"
12p PRCHN Conf Rm

Immunology Invited Speaker Seminar Series
Andrei Medvedev, PhD
UCONN Health, 
"IRAK4 and pellinos: Mediators of host antimicrobial defense and modifiers of autoimmunity"
12p NC1-202
Thurs, Mar 15
Developmental Therapeutics Journal Club
9a R4-013

Neil S. Cherniack, MD Lecture 2018
Jack L. Feldman, PhD Distinguished Professor of Neurobiology David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles
"Breathing matters"
4p WRB -1413
RSVP: [email protected], 216.368.3109
Fri, Mar 16
TCI Grand Rounds
9a CA5-120

VeloSano Team Case CCC Team Kick-Off/Happy Hour 
4-6p Jolly Scholar, CWRU

ADDITIONAL UPCOMING SYMPOSIUMS & EVENTS
prev-funding
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED OPPORTUNITIES

Case Comprehensive Cancer Center 
11100 Euclid Avenue, Wearn152
Cleveland, OH 44106-5065