September 2018
 
Table of Contents
 


Funding Opportunities


Utilizing the PLCO Biospecimens Resource to Bridge Gaps in Cancer Etiology and Early Detection Research (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

 

RFA: The Role of Health Policy and Health Insurance in Improving Access to and Performance of Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Services

 

Research Scholar Grants

 

Multiple CDMRP FY18 Funding Opportunities

 

 

View a full list of current funding opportunities.




Open
Recruitments
Highlighted positions related to cancer for which VCU is currently hiring. View the full list.

 

 

 

Program Co-Leader, Cancer Molecular Genetics (F36090)

 

Surgical Oncology Division Chair (F59750)



Shared Resource Spotlight
Cancer Mouse 
Models Core

The Cancer Mouse Models Core will acquire two new pieces of equipment. The first is a HEMAVET 950FS Multi-Species Hematology System, which carries out complete blood cell analysis of mouse blood, including the quantification of red blood cells, various types of white blood cells and platelets. The next is a Karl Storz Coloview System and associated anesthesia unit. The Coloview is an ultra-miniature endoscope for visual examination (imaging), injection of tumor cells or drugs and collection of biopsies for histologic and molecular examination in animal models.

 

For more information, contact resource director Jennifer Koblinski, Ph.D., at 827-0738, or lab manager Bin Hu, Ph.D., at 628-5040 or visit the Massey website.

Leaders' Update Update 
 
A message from Paul Fawcett, associate director for shared resources

Dear colleagues,

I'm pleased to announce that Massey Cancer Center has been very successful in the latest round of submissions for funding from the VA Higher Education Equipment Trust Fund (HEETF). HEETF funding will be used to acquire new instrumentation that will modernize our core laboratories and will allow us 
to offer transformative  new capabilities to our MCC members.

This message continues with more information about the new equipment for Massey's shared resources.

Research HighlightsHighlights
Temkin provides framework for addressing gynecologic cancer disparities
 
Sarah Temkin, M.D.
Developmental Therapeutics member
In a paper published in Gynecologic Oncology, Sarah Temkin outlined the health disparities that currently exist among several populations of women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers and conceived a framework for how to reduce these inequities moving forward. She underlined three key areas in which strategies can be implemented to reduce health disparities, including prevention and screening,  patient navigation and i mprovements  to the health care system.

New drug combination disrupts leukemia cells in preclinical studies
 
Grant, Steven
Steven Grant, M.D.
Developmental Therapeutics member
Research conducted by Steven Grant found that a novel combination of drugs is effective against acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in preclinical models. The study, published in
Cancer Research, determined that combining the existing drug venetoclax with a class of agents known as a PI3K inhibitors led to synergistic interactions in AML cells stemming from interruption of the function of BCL-2 proteins  and triggering of cell death.

Center News Center1
Stage 4 sarcomatoid kidney cancer patient first to show complete response to immunotherapy

A 69-year-old Massey patient with stage 4 sarcomatoid kidney cancer has been disease-free for more than two-and-a-half years. Asit Paul originally tried the standard approach to care, but after four months of chemotherapy the cancer continued to spread. Paul then switched the patient to nivolumab, and after six months,  scans showed no signs of cancer.
The case is so unique that it  was recently published in the  Journal Of Oncology Practice

Member Showcase MemberShowcase

Lima studies role of lipids in the development of lung cancer and resistance to chemotherapy


Cancer Cell Signaling
member
Santiago Lima joined Massey as a member of the Cancer Cell Signaling  research program in 2017. He studies how a specific class of lipids, called glycosphingolipids, change during the development of cancer cells and how these changes might lead to lung cancers becoming resistant to standard chemotherapies. Lima is an assistant professor of cancer biology in the Biology 
Department at VCU.


Researcher Recognition Recognition
Ginder awarded $3.2M to inform the development of novel therapies for blood disorders

Cancer Molecular Genetics member
Director Gordon Ginder was awarded a $3.2 million multi-PI R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health to identify molecular targets for the development of more effective therapies for sickle cell anemia and beta thalassemia. By better understanding components of the MBD2-NuRD chromatin remodeling complex, Ginder hopes this research can validate safe therapeutic activation of fetal hemoglobin expression in these blood disorders. The findings of this research could also have potential benefits for the creation of novel therapies for hematologic cancers.



For a full listing of events, 

mediaMassey in the Media
 

NewsTop Cancer News
  
JAMA
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