Tulane Cancer Center eNewsletter

Committed to Excellence in Cancer Research, Education and Patient Care

Inroads

June 2021

Researcher Awarded $1.74 Million to Study

Role of Virus in HIV-Associated Lung Cancer

Scientists estimate that approximately 15% of human cancers worldwide are caused by viruses.

Dr. Zhen Lin, associate professor of pathology, and his lab team have focused their research on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated malignancies, particularly lung cancer, and he was recently awarded a five-year, $1.74 million National Cancer Institute grant to study the connection between human papillomavirus (HPV) and lung cancer development in HIV-positive patients.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. It has been linked to cervical and head and neck cancers. Lin and his team have found that HPV might also play a role in HIV-associated lung cancer.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers among those living with HIV. It accounts for approximately 21% of cancer-related deaths in this group. The reasons for this are still unclear. Although smoking is a key risk factor, HIV-positive individuals are still more than four times more likely to have lung cancer even after statistically factoring in smoking status, indicating other factors are responsible for the increased incidence.

To explore any potential viral connection, Lin analyzed genetic sequencing data sets for over 1,000 lung cancer samples. "Our findings show that HPV is closely linked with HIV-associated lung cancer and likely plays a role in lung cancer development in this population," said Lin. "This is a novel finding. No one has previously reported on this connection in the HIV cancer research field."

The investigations supported by this new grant are designed to test this hypothesis by determining the potential causal role of HPV in HIV-associated lung cancer as well as the mechanism through which HPV contributes to this deadly disease. "When we better understand the mechanism, we can develop better therapeutic strategies to target the viral oncogenic process and control and manage existing lung cancer in this patient population," said Lin.

Another overarching goal of the project is to explore ways to prevent lung cancer from developing in the first place. HIV-positive individuals tend to have a higher incidence of HPV co-infection. Lin and his team theorize that the HPV vaccine could reduce the onset of HIV-associated lung cancer in this population as well. "That's another aspect of this project with potential clinical significance," said Lin. "Validating this connection can perhaps help us reduce future lung cancer cases through vaccination."

Molecularly Targeted Radiation Therapy Extends Survival for Patients with

Advanced Prostate Cancer

Dr. Oliver Sartor, co-principal investigator of the VISION clinical trial, explains how molecularly targeted radiation therapy works and how it could change the landscape of treatment options for patients with advanced prostate cancer. Video by Carolyn Scofield.

A new cancer treatment that uses engineered radioactive molecules to target prostate cancer cells and inhibit tumor growth extended survival for patients with advanced prostate cancer, according to newly announced results of the VISION trial.

The international phase III clinical trial, which was co-led by Tulane University medical oncologist Dr. Oliver Sartor, is the first to use this approach to demonstrate improvements in survival for prostate cancer patients.

Researchers compared ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA-617, a targeted radioligand therapy, against the current standard of care for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Radioligand therapy combines a targeting compound that binds to markers expressed by tumors and a radioactive isotope, causing DNA damage that inhibits tumor growth and replication. This approach enables targeted delivery of radiation to the tumor, while limiting damage to the surrounding normal tissue.

The trial is widely regarded as the most important demonstration of radioligand therapy’s efficacy in patients being treated for cancer, said Sartor, Medical Director of Tulane Cancer Center and C. E. and Bernadine Laborde Professor of Cancer Research at Tulane University School of Medicine.

“These are exceptionally strong data. This practice-changing trial is unequivocally important because it demonstrates an improvement in overall survival for patients who have very few alternative treatment options,” Sartor said. “Furthermore, the therapy is exceptionally well tolerated with a low incidence of significant side effects”

Sartor was co-principal investigator on the trial along with Dr. Bernd Krause, of Germany’s Rostock University Medical Center. The trial was sponsored by Endocyte Inc., a Novartis company. Sartor is senior author of the abstract that was presented on June 6 at the annual meeting for the American Society of Clinical Oncology. He is also senior author on the New England Journal of Medicine article reporting the results of the trial, published on June 23.

VISION enrolled 831 mCRPC patients at 87 sites in 10 countries. All had been previously treated with chemotherapy and conventional hormonal therapy – either abiraterone or enzalutamide – and still had progressive disease. Prospective participants also underwent ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA-11 PET scans to determine eligibility for randomization in the trial. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a unique protein found on the surface of most prostate cancer cells. The experimental agent tested in VISION – ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA-617 – is an engineered radioactive molecule that binds to PSMA and delivers therapeutic doses of radiation to the prostate cancer cells. A total of 87% of scanned patients were PSMA-positive and considered eligible for the trial.

Trial participants were randomized into either the standard of care arm or the experimental arm, where ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA-617 (in addition to standard of care) was given every 6 weeks for four planned doses. Up to six doses could be administered for responding patients. The standard of care choice was up to the investigator, but no chemotherapy or other isotopes were allowed.

After a median 20.9 months of follow-up, the study showed that ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA-617 plus standard of care significantly improved median survival (15.3 vs. 11.3 months) versus standard of care alone. Tumors were more likely to shrink and PSA values were more likely to fall in those patients that received the molecularly targeted radiation.

“The therapy is well tolerated, and we’ve had some dramatic responses,” said Sartor, who anticipates approval of this new agent by regulatory agencies across the world, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, within the next year.

Next steps following this proof of principle trial, according to Sartor, are to test the agent in less heavily pre-treated patients, including those diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer and no prior hormonal treatments.

“This is an important new therapy. I envision that it will be used earlier in the stages of disease and new clinical trials are working on that issue right now,” Sartor said.

To view The New York Times story on the trial, which quotes Dr. Sartor, please click here.

Head & Neck Cancer Surgical Clinic

Opens on the Northshore

Access to Tulane's head and neck cancer experts is easier than ever for Northshore residents. Tulane Head and Neck Surgery Clinic Northshore – on the Lakeview Regional Medical Center campus – will begin offering head and neck cancer surgical services in July.

Drs. Rizwan Aslam, head and neck surgical oncologist and microvascular surgeon, and Mohamed Shama, who is dual fellowship-trained in head and neck cancer surgery, microvascular reconstruction and thyroid cancer surgery, will provide diagnosis and treatment options for thyroid cancer, as well as other cancers or diseases of the head and neck at the Northshore clinic.

"When you don't feel well and need to see a doctor, you don't want to travel any more than is necessary," said Aslam, who will also perform some surgical procedures at Lakeview Regional. "We're excited to be able to bring our services closer to new communities and make it easier for these patients to get the care they need."

Tulane Head and Neck Surgery Clinic Northshore is located on the fourth floor of Lakeview Regional Medical Center, 101 Judge Tanner Blvd., Suite 404, in Covington.

To make an appointment, please call (985) 867-4223.

Cancer Crusaders Raise $81K for Research

Despite Challenges of COVID-19

It should come as no surprise that the Cancer Crusaders are singularly focused and dedicated to raising funds for cancer research here at home. They’ve been doing it unselfishly and quite successfully for over four decades.

What does come as a surprise – a rather remarkable surprise! – is that during a year of unprecedented challenge, both personal and professional, for every person across the globe, their members still managed to raise an incredible $81,236 to help support cancer research in 2020.

This nonprofit, all volunteer organization was founded in 1976 for the purpose of raising funds for cancer research in the New Orleans area. Proceeds from their various fundraising events – which total more than $4 million since their founding – are donated annually to LSU's Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center and Tulane Cancer Center.

"They say when times are tough, you find out who your true friends are, and if we didn’t know it already, we certainly do now," said Prescott Deininger, PhD, Tulane Cancer Center director. "The Cancer Crusaders are steadfast and faithful supporters who were able to rise above the most difficult of circumstances to continue to assist us in our mission. We are extremely proud and grateful to accept their kind donation every year, but this year is truly extra special, because we do so fully aware of the deeper sacrifice it took on everyone’s part to raise these important funds. I cannot thank them enough!"

Pictured above: Tulane Cancer Center Director Prescott Deininger, PhD, (second from right) and LSUHSC Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center Director Augusto Ochoa, MD, (second from left) accept a donation check from Cancer Crusaders 2020 Co-Presidents Jeanie Gabler (far left) and Debbie Buchler (far right).

"Chocolate Extravaganza"

to Benefit Breast Cancer Research

Krewe de Pink's Second Annual

Death by Chocolate...Not Breast Cancer

a chocolate tasting and virtual cooking competition

that will crown the best chocolate creations

– both sweet and savory! –

while raising funds to benefit

breast cancer research at Tulane Cancer Center

Saturday, July 10 - 5:30 - 8:30 PM

Schoen Mansion, 3827 Canal St., NOLA 70119

Guests will enjoy live music by Delgado's Music Department while sampling a dozen chocolate-inspired dishes made by Delgado's Culinary and Pastry Arts students, as well as complimentary champagne, sparkling cider, and chocolate coffee courtesy of Community Coffee. Guests will then vote for their favorite sweet and savory dishes, and the winning students will be awarded scholarship prizes.

As a thank you, all who attend will receive goody bags of chocolate compliments of Delgado and Callebaut. This year's event is being held in honor of Norma Jane Sabiston, a 2020 Sweet Survivor Honoree. The 2021 event will honor six additional "Sweet Survivors" of breast cancer.

Suggested attire is business casual/dressy in shades of pink and brown to go along with the theme of the event. And free, secure parking is available in lots adjacent to Schoen Mansion.

Krewe de Pink is an all volunteer 501c(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer research at Tulane. Some of its members are also breast cancer survivors. If you can't attend Death by Chocolate in person, the organization invites you to make a tax-deductible donation at https://www.krewedepink.org.

Event planners are closely monitoring all COVID-19 restrictions and will follow all guidelines in place at the time of the event.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW...

Tickets are $45 through July 7th at noon, and Delgado Community College will receive $6 from each ticket sold. Get your tickets early, as there are a limited number available. The price at the door is $60, if the event is not sold out.

For more information, please email info@krewedepink.org

To PURCHASE TICKETS, please click here.

Death by Chocolate - Not Breast Cancer is made possible by the generosity of the Schoen Mansion – a New Orleans city landmark, featuring unique architecture, fine furnishings, spectacular chandeliers, and beautiful gardens – Delgado Community College, Callebaut Chocolate, First Growth Brands, Dorignac’s Food Center, Roberts Fresh Market, Community Coffee, and Caire Supply.

Donate