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Feature Story: DF/HCC Gastrointestinal Malignancies Program
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Gastrointestinal Malignancies Research Both Broad and Deep
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Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers account for only one-fourth of new cancer diagnoses in the United States but about one-third of cancer deaths annually. While these are unsettling statistics, researchers with the DF/HCC Gastrointestinal Malignancies Program are tackling GI cancer research from many different directions. "Our program does well covering all the GI malignancies—11 in total—but also with a breadth of investigation, from fundamental genetic discovery to lab model systems to epidemiology,” noted Program Leader Charles Fuchs, MD, MPH (DFCI). The Program Co-Leaders are Robert Mayer, MD, (DFCI); Ramesh Shivdasani, MD, PhD, (DFCI); and Kenneth Tanabe, MD, (MGH). [more]
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Imaging Probes Improve Gastrointestinal Cancer Detection
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Umar Mahmood, MD, PhD (MGH), a radiologist, and Andrew Chan, MD, MPH (MGH), a gastroenterologist, have worked in both colon cancer and esophageal cancer models to improve dysplasia and cancer detection. “It’s been estimated that about 20 to 25% of the time, pre-cancerous polyps are missed with colonoscopy,” says Mahmood. Mahmood and Chan have used imaging probes that target cathepsins, enzymes that are often over-expressed in colonic polyps, to help improve detection of polyps during colonoscopy and areas of dysplasia in the esophagus during upper endoscopy. [more]
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| Spotlight on Clinical Trials
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| Ibrutinib Combined with FCR—an Aggressive Approach in Younger Patients with CLL
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Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) can live for several years—on average, over half of patients are alive five years after diagnosis. The standard initial treatment for young, fit patients with CLL is fludarabine and cyclophosphamide in combination with rituximab (FCR), but several newer targeted therapies, including obinutuzumab, ibrutinib, and idelalisib, have recently been approved. Ibrutinib, which targets Bruton’s tyrosine kinase, is approved for use in previously treated patients with CLL and for patients with the poor-prognosis 17p deletion. [more]
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Tumor Imaging Metrics Core
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The DF/HCC Tumor Imaging Metrics Core provides standardized, consistent, longitudinal, and multimodality radiological measurements to evaluate therapeutic response for patients enrolled in DF/HCC clinical trials. Key services include accurate, consistent, and timely analysis of CT, MR, PET/CT imaging studies as well as other imaging modalities. Measurements available include linear measures, volumetric measures for CT or MR scans, and Standardized Uptake Values (SUVs) for PET scans. [more]
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Pathology Specimen Locator Core
The DF/HCC Pathology Specimen Locator Core facilitates member access to tissue used in research. The Core enables investigators to access tissues with fewer barriers, achieved through a web-based, integrated network of distributed, searchable databases that contain de-identified, coded, pathologic information on post-diagnostic, excess human materials. [more]
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MembersCongratulations to the seven individuals from our seven member institutions who have recently joined DF/HCC. Learn more about these scientists and their research interests.
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DF/HCC Members Receive Top Honors
Congratulations to the following DF/HCC faculty, who have been recognized for their outstanding research contributions recently:
Frederick Alt, 44th Rosenstiel Award for Distinguished Work in Biomedical Science
Patricia D'Amore, 2014 António Champalimaud Vision Award
Jules Dienstag, 2014 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Distinguished Achievement Award
Gordon Freeman, 2014 William B. Coley Award for Distinguished Research
Chenghua Gu, NIH Director's Pioneer Award
Theodore Hong, NCI’s Cancer Clinical Investigator Team Leadership Award
Cigall Kadoch, NIH Director's New Innovator Award
David Nathan, Boston Children’s Hospital Lifetime Impact Award
Carl Novina, NIH Director's Pioneer Award
Gary Ruvkun, 2015 Breakthrough Prizes in Life Sciences
Arlene Sharpe, 2014 William B. Coley Award for Distinguished Research
Donna Spiegelman, NIH Director’s Pioneer Award
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Four Members Elected to the Institute of MedicineThe Institute of Medicine (IOM) recently announced 70 new members, four of which are DF/HCC researchers. Membership to the IOM is among the highest honors given to medical and health professionals who have made major contributions to medical science, health care, and public health. DF/HCC members newly elected to the Institute of Medicine are:
E. Antonio Chiocca, MD, PhD (BWH)
Todd Golub, MD (DFCI)
Margaret Shipp, MD (DFCI)
Bruce Spiegelman, PhD (DFCI)
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DF/HCC Members Named AAAS Fellows
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| Recent Federal Grants to DF/HCC Members
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| Research Highlights From Our Member Institutions
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Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
Central Administration
450 Brookline Ave
Boston, MA 02115 |
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