Hollings Headlines // September 2021 |
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Hollings part of prestigious SPORE grant targeting health disparities |
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The NCI announced MUSC Hollings Cancer Center is one of three cancer centers to be awarded a highly competitive Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant. The grant will establish the Translational Research Center in Lung Cancer Disparities (TRACER). Researchers will collaborate to address lung cancer racial disparities through precision medicine, targeted smoking cessation programs and community outreach. |
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Celebrating Prostate Cancer Awareness Month |
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SC AMEN Program launches with enthusiastic support
Hollings' SC AMEN Program launch at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church on September 11 received rave reviews. The innovative community outreach program aims to reduce prostate cancer mortality rates in South Carolina Black men, a population that is twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than white men, and three times more likely to die from prostate cancer.
Larry J. Ferguson, D.M.D., a prostate cancer survivor, served as the keynote speaker for the inaugural session. “I think this is a tremendous opportunity for the Black community and for Black men. I hope my story can encourage other men to get prostate cancer screenings and possibly save a life. Every life is important. These men represent somebody’s father, husband, brother and an important community member. Those lives are needed. Those lives count.”
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Raising awareness about a silent killer |
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For September’s National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Hollings researcher and radiation oncologist David Marshall, M.D., wants to raise awareness about what he describes as a silent killer. Patients often don’t know they have it until it has reached an advanced state. On average, 200,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and each year in the U.S. 30,000 men will die from it.
“Our goal is to catch the 15% of men who present with prostate cancer at high risk and stages that require immediate treatment in order to reduce the number of people dying from the disease,” Marshall said. “In the end, it is all about excellent patient care and saving lives. That’s what we strive for at Hollings, and that won’t ever change.”
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Hollings Research Spotlight |
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MUSC researchers report in Molecular Cancer Research that they have identified specific sugar structures that correlate to different subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer. The ability to distinguish hepatocellular carcinoma subtypes could lead to earlier detection and more targeted therapies for the disease.
“We have been thinking about all liver cancers as being the same and using the same diagnostic tool for everyone,” explained Anand Mehta, Ph.D., senior author on the article. “And that’s a huge limitation in early diagnosis. It’s the biggest hurdle right now.”
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Hollings researchers are examining why more young people are being diagnosed with and dying from colorectal cancer. One possible explanation: overprescription of antibiotics.
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Delivering care to survivors of head and neck cancer requires a village. The head and neck oncology team at Hollings is participating in a nationwide clinical trial to streamline care and improve quality of life for survivors.
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High Impact Publications Award winners
Hollings is pleased to announce the two recipients of our inaugural High Impact Publications Award. They are:
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Wenjian Gan, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
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Tracy Smith, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
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Hollings director Raymond N. DuBois, M.D., Ph.D., said the awards are a way to support researchers who are making important contributions to the work of the cancer center. “Dr. Gan and Dr. Smith exemplify excellence in their respective fields of cancer research, and we’re pleased to present these awards to recognize and honor how their work is advancing cancer care,” he said. |
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Volunteers needed for LOWVELO |
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With over 700 people enrolled, LOWVELO has a record number of participants signed up for this year's event taking place Saturday, November 6.
The annual event raises money for lifesaving cancer research at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, and there are multiple ways to participate. There are four cycling options, ranging from 10 to 100 miles, stationary cycling classes and even a virtual Home Team option.
It takes a village to put the event on, and we are looking for volunteers to help make it as special as possible for our riders! There are a wide array of volunteer options to choose from. We also need volunteer photographers. If you're interested in helping us photograph the big day, contact Dawn Brazell at brazell@musc.edu. Be a part of the team as we work to cure cancer together!
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Coming up on Hollings Cross Talk |
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Tune in to October's Hollings Cross Talk on October 13 at 12 p.m. Moderator and Hollings Director Raymond N. DuBois, M.D., Ph.D., welcomes in guests Andrea Abbott, M.D., a Hollings surgical oncologist and breast cancer specialist, and LaToya Wilson, a Hollings patient who is currently undergoing treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
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Send us your news
Got news? We have outlets, from our news site to our video boards! We’d love to help promote your latest journal publications, grants, clinical advances, awards, events and patient stories. Please contact the Hollings communications team to share your news or if you have questions. |
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Hollings publications and featured trials |
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