Author Archives: akfarrish

Massey postdoctoral scholar presents at research colloquium

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VCU Massey Cancer Center postdoctoral scholar Upneet Kaur Sokhi, Ph.D., recently presented her research findings at the 41st John C. Forbes Graduate Student Research Colloquium. She was one of nearly a dozen Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to present their research, which ranged from cancer to the neuronal control of appetite. Each student participant provided a short talk on their work and was evaluated by the School of Medicine faculty on the basis of how effectively they communicated their research.

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Massey postdoctoral scholar Upneet Kaur Sokhi, Ph.D., (center) presented her research on cancer gene therapy.

“I am honored to present and talk with people who are not related to my research and to get feedback from faculty and students from other departments,” said Upneet Kaur Sokhi, Ph.D. student in the Department of Human and Molecular Genetics. Her research is focused on cancer gene therapy and she works in the laboratory of Paul B. Fisher, M.Ph., Ph.D., Thelma Newmeyer Corman Endowed Chair in Cancer Research and program co-leader of Cancer Molecular Genetics at Massey, chairman of VCU’s Department of Human and Molecular Genetics and director of the VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine.

“This is a great opportunity to share my research with others,” she said.

Other graduate student researchers who participated in the event came from the VCU School of Medicine departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Physiology and Biophysics, Biostatistics and Social and Behavioral Health.

The annual event is held in honor of John Campbell Forbes, M.D., an internationally recognized authority on cholesterol-atherosclerosis research and alcoholism. Forbes joined the Medical College of Virginia (now the VCU School of Medicine) in 1927 and served as faculty in the Department of Biochemistry. In 1934, he became the first chairman of the Committee on Graduate Studies.

Massey researcher provides expert commentary on enzyme’s role in cancer and inflammation

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2007 WISDMInternationally renowned VCU Massey Cancer Center researcher Sarah Spiegel, Ph.D., together with Santiago Lima, Ph.D., have co-authored an article for the Previews section of the Cell Press journal, Structure, on a recent research breakthrough.

For the first time, the atomic structure of the enzyme, sphinogosine kinase 1, SphK1, responsible for an important potent lipid mediator, sphingosine-1-phosphate, has been uncovered by a research team at Amgen in San Francisco.

In their expert commentary, Spiegel, Mann T. and Sara D. Lowry Professor of Oncology and co-leader of the Cancer Cell Signaling research program at Massey and professor and chair of the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Lima, postdoctoral fellow in Spiegel’s department, discuss how the newly discovered atomic structure of sphingosine-1-phosphate will expand mechanistic understanding of the molecule significantly. The molecule itself was originally discovered by Spiegel in the mid-1990s and has been found to play a role in cancer progression, inflammation and cardiovascular disease.

For many years, cell biologists, including Spiegel and her colleagues, have investigated how sphingosine-1-phosphate, S1P, and sphinogosine kinase 1, SphK1, function and the molecular pathways they are involved with. But its precise structure has remained unclear until now.

“The structures provide a vital baseline from which to generate predictions and targeted modifications that further probe the many nuances of functional elements in SphK1 activity and regulation,” wrote Spiegel and Lima.

“These findings will provide us with molecular tools to understand the functions of this important enzyme as well as development of new drugs that target it in cancer and inflammation,” said Spiegel.

Spiegel, has received multiple grants from the National Institutes of Health to continuously fund her research for nearly 20 years. In 2003, she was awarded a National Institutes of Health MERIT award totaling nearly $2.1 million to continue her research on S1P. The award is given to investigators who have demonstrated superior competence and productivity.

Based on article authored by Sathya Achia Abraham

Clinical trial studies effectiveness of diet and exercise in preventing gynecologic cancer recurrence

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nci-vol-4278-300According to the American Cancer Society, more than half of all cancer deaths could be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating nutritiously and staying active. But, until now, no studies have shown if such changes can affect the recurrence of gynecologic cancers.

The Gynecologic Oncology Group is leading a nationwide phase III clinical trial called the “Lifestyle Intervention for Ovarian Cancer Enhanced Survival (LIvES)” study. Led locally by Weldon Chafe, M.D., Dianne Harris Wright Professor of Gynecology Oncology at VCU Massey Cancer Center, this trial is the first to study if diet and exercise can affect cancer recurrence in women treated for ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer.

Ovarian cancer begins in the female reproductive glands called ovaries. Ovarian cancer accounts for about 3 percent of all cancers in women.

Fallopian tube cancer is one of the rarest gynecologic cancers, with only 1,500 to 2,000 cases reported each year in the United States. Fallopian tubes are the two tiny ducts that connect the ovaries to the uterus.

Peritoneal cancer is also a rare form of cancer that develops in the thin layer of tissue that lines the abdomen, and covers the uterus, bladder and rectum. The peritoneum produces a fluid that helps organs move smoothly inside the abdomen. Peritoneal cancer affects between 2,000 to 10,000 women each year.

The study will involve over 1000 women who have completed treatment for stage II, III or IV ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer and are at risk of recurrence. Half of the women will be asked to follow a diet and physical activity intervention and will receive focused lifestyle coaching, while the other half will continue their current diet and physical activity regimen and will receive general lifestyle coaching. The study will have a two-year duration and will require participants to receive four blood draws and a yearly physical examination and to answer questionnaires.

“We hope to find out if lifestyle changes can affect the length of time that a patient is cancer free and if it will improve their overall quality of life and ability to be physically active,” says Chafe.

For all types of ovarian cancer, the five-year relative survival rate is 44 percent. But if it is found and treated early (before the cancer has spread to the outside of the ovary), the survival rate increases to 92 percent. Since only 15 percent of all ovarian cancers are found at an early stage, finding ways to prevent recurrence and prolong survival of patients is vital.

“Finding new ways to reduce recurrent disease in gynecologic cancer survivors is an important focus of current research,” Chafe adds.

For more information about this trial, call Pat Dodson, R.N., at (804) 628-2582. For more on gynecologic oncology clinical trials at VCU Massey Cancer Center, call Jane Baggett, R.N., at (804) 628-2360. Massey provides one of the largest offerings of clinical trials in Virginia evaluating the latest cancer treatments for adult and pediatric patients. View a complete list of all active clinical trials available at VCU Massey.

Massey post-doctoral student recognized for his research at annual Women’s Health Research Day

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VCU Institute for Women's Health award

Akimitsu Yamada, Ph.D., (middle) received an award for his research on breast cancer.

Akimitsu Yamada, Ph.D., a VCU Massey Cancer Center post-doctoral student was recently recognized for his research at the Virginia Commonwealth University Institute for Women’s Health Ninth Annual Women’s Health Research Day, a networking opportunity celebrating and promoting excellence in interdisciplinary women’s health research.

Yamada’s poster, “Human breast cancers that co-express sphingosine kinase 1 and ABCC1 have significant shorter disease free survival,” received the Elizabeth Fries Young Investigator Award. This award was created in memory of Elizabeth Fries, Ph.D., who served as a co-leader of Massey’s Cancer Prevention and Control research program, VCU psychology professor and director of research for the VCU Institute of Women’s Health. The honor is given to a young researcher who shows promise in improving women’s health.

In addition to the Elizabeth Fries award, Yamada was also awarded for the best poster in his poster category: clinical research.

Hometown Healthcare Heroes at Massey

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In the May 2013 issue of Our Health Richmond magazine, four Massey staff members were recognized as “Hometown Healthcare Heroes.”

The winners were selected by a panel of community members based on their community involvement, dedication to the field of healthcare and commitment to improve services and procedures.

The following Massey staff members were recognized.

Donna CoxDonna Cox
As the manager of Massey’s Magical Touch Salon, Donna Cox “applies her skills as a licensed cosmetologist to help patients take charge of their appearance after chemotherapy hair loss. Offering compassionate consultation—as well as a selection of wigs, turbans, scarves and hats—she prepares them for the cosmetic transformations they will undergo and she empowers them with a range of options.”


McCartyJohn McCarty, M.D.
Considered personable and caring by his patients and staff, John McCarty “has been known to sing the National Anthem to his patients and be plunged by them into dunking booths to raise money for cancer research.

He is a health care hero for his leadership of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Massey and excellence in patient care.”


Ellie CoyneEllie Coyne
Considered by staff and patients as a fixture of the Thomas Palliative Care Unit, volunteer coordinator Ellie Coyne “helps lift the spirits of patients who suffer from chronic illness by providing bedside reading, music, reflexology and more.

A champion of dignity and quality of life, she caters to the unique circumstances, needs and wishes of each patient.”


MandyMandy Gatesman, Pharm.D.
Mandy Gatesman is an oncology pharmacist at Massey “whose leadership through the recent global shortages of common chemotherapy drugs has distinguished her as a health care hero. While stories of patients being denied treatment circulated throughout the country, she worked with Massey leaders to develop protocols to forestall disruption of patient care due to the shortages.

Aside from rising to the challenge of a potential crisis, she provides exceptional service to patients on a daily basis.”

To see the full article in Our Health Richmond, visit http://smcclintic769411.uberflip.com/i/124973.

 

Clinical trials seek to enhance the treatments and quality of life for melanoma patients

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Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, accounting for nearly half of all cancers in the United States. Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that begins in the melanocytes, which are the cells that give skin its tan or brown color. Melanoma is much less common than basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers, but it is far more dangerous. Early-stage melanomas can often be treated effectively with surgery alone, but more advanced cancers often require other treatments. VCU Massey Cancer Center is currently conducting clinical trials evaluating the latest therapies for melanoma.

Andrew Poklepovic, M.D., is leading two clinical trials for melanoma at Massey. He says: “After decades where there was very little advancement in the treatment of melanoma, the last several years have seen major advances in the treatment of this terrible disease. Therapies that have been proven to prolong survival in advanced stages of melanoma are now being explored in stage III and recurrent melanoma, and new strategies are being tested for stage IV cancers.”

One of his trials is an international phase III clinical study that compares the effects of two melanoma drugs. The trial studies the effects of investigational drug ipilimumab, a biological agent that has been shown to have anti-tumor activity in advanced (stage IV) melanoma, versus FDA-approved drug interferon alpha-2b, which has been shown to reduce the risk of melanoma returning in a portion of patients. Two-thirds of patients that participate in this trial will receive ipilimumab and the other third will receive interferon alfa-2b to see which one is more effective at stopping or delaying cancer from returning. Throughout their treatment, patients will also complete “Quality of Life” (QOL) questionnaires to track how they are feeling physically and emotionally. “This is a very important trial, and the outcome from it may change the way we treat melanoma that has spread to lymph nodes or recurred,” says Poklepovic.

The other clinical trial is a phase II study that tests a combination therapy of the experimental drugs AZD6244 hydrogen sulfate and MK-2206 on patients who have a genetic mutation called B-Raf gene (BRAF V600E), which causes their melanoma to be untreatable by surgery. AZD6244 hydrogen sulfate blocks a protein called MEK, and MK-2206 has been found to block the protein Akt. Researchers are hoping to find that blocking both MEK and Akt might better treat melanoma in patients who have the BRAF V600E mutation. “Current targeted treatments for BRAF mutations work very well, but unfortunately for a disappointingly short period of time. This trial is designed to target the resistance mechanisms of the melanoma cells, by targeting proteins that become activated as a part of melanoma resistance to BRAF targeted therapy, ” says Poklepovic.

“Clinical trials enable researchers to develop new and better ways of treating cancer, and we hope these two trials at Massey will find more effective therapies for melanoma,” he says.

Massey is currently conducting more than 150 trials on a variety of cancers. For more information and to view a complete list of all active clinical trials, visit http://www.massey.vcu.edu/clinical-trials.html.

From Head to Toe: How to Perform a Skin Self-Exam

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skin-magnifying-glass-400x400As May brings warmer weather and we spend more time outdoors in the sun, it also marks Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, accounting for nearly half of all cancers in the United States. Fortunately, you can significantly reduce your risk of skin cancer by limiting your skin’s exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or man-made sources, such as indoor tanning beds. Skin cancer is also treatable when found early. Both regular exams by your doctor and checking your skin frequently, preferably once a month, through a self-exam can help find skin cancer early.

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to perform a skin self-exam, which is best done in a well-lit room in front of a full-length mirror. Consider asking another person to help you with the exam, especially for those hard-to-see areas like your back and scalp.

  • Begin with using a comb or hair dryer to part your hair so that you can check your scalp.
  • Then move on to your face, ears, neck, chest and belly. For women, don’t forget to check the skin beneath your breasts.
  • Afterwards, check your underarm areas, both sides of your arms, the tops and bottoms of your hands, in between your fingers and under your fingernails.
  • Using a hand mirror, check the buttocks, genital area, lower and upper back and the back of the neck.
  • Next, check your thighs, shins, tops of your feet, between your toes and under your toenails.
  • Lastly, using a hand mirror, check the bottoms of your feet, your calves and backs of your legs.

While performing your self-exam, look for any of the following signs of skin cancer by using the ABCDE rule as a guide. If you have any of these warning signs, please consult your physician.

  • Asymmetry: One half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other.
  • Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched or blurred.
  • Color: The color is not the same all over and may include shades of brown or black, or sometimes with patches of pink, red, white or blue.
  • Diameter: The spot is larger than 6 millimeters across (about the size of a pencil eraser), although melanomas can sometimes be smaller than this.
  • Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape or color.

Most people have moles, and almost all moles are harmless. A normal mole is usually an evenly colored brown, tan or black spot on the skin less than ¼ inch across. It can be either flat or raised, and round or oval. A mole can be present at birth, or it can appear during childhood or young adulthood. It is important to recognize a new spot on the skin or changes in a mole – such as in its size, shape or color – and then have any suspicious spots checked by a doctor.

For more information on skin cancer, visit: http://www.massey.vcu.edu/skin-cancer-information.htm.

About the author
Paul G. Goetowski, M.D. (known as “Dr. G.”), is assistant professor at VCU Massey Cancer Center and the director of radiation oncology at Community Memorial Healthcenter (CMH) Cancer and Specialty Care on behalf of Massey. He has extensive experience in using radiation to treat many cancer types and noncancerous diseases.

Answers to burning questions about sunscreen

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As the weather warms, the shelves of department, pharmacy and grocery stores are lined with bottles of sunscreen, one claiming to provide more protection than the next. How do you choose which level of protection is right for you?

Sunscreen protects the skin by absorbing and reflecting the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. The FDA requires all sunscreens to be labeled with a “Sun Protection Factor” (SPF). The SPF is relative to the amount of sunburn protection the sunscreen can provide when properly used.

How much SPF do you need? 
According to the American Melanoma Foundation, dermatologists strongly recommend that sunscreens with an SPF of at least 15 be used year round. SPFs can range anywhere between 10 and 100, so does the higher number really offer that much more protection?

SPF protection does not increase proportionally with an increased SPF number. For example, SPF 15 protects the skin from 93 percent of UVB radiation, and SPF 30 provides 97 percent protection. The chart below shows the level of SPF protection.

sunscreenimage

One way to determine what SPF is best for you is by using the following equation:
Minutes to burn without sunscreen x SPF number = maximum sun exposure time

For example, if you burn after 10 minutes of sun exposure, an SPF of 15 will allow you to be in the sun for up to 150 minutes without burning. Note that this equation should be used as a general rule because it is not 100 percent accurate and can vary depending on skin type.

What does “broad spectrum” mean?
Most sunscreens only protect from UVB rays, but “broad spectrum” sunscreens protect from both UVB and UVA rays. Since UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, broad spectrum sunscreens are highly recommended.

How do you properly apply sunscreen?
Sunscreen should be applied at least 30 minutes before going out into the sun in order to allow it time to absorb into your skin. It should also be applied generously and regularly, at least every two hours, or more often if you are swimming or perspiring. Do not forget to apply sunscreen to your lips, ears, feet, hands, scalp and back of the neck. Also remember to check your sunscreen’s expiration date as they become less effective over time.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, you should use approximately 1 oz of sunscreen, or the equivalent of two tablespoons, to the exposed areas of the face and body and a nickel-sized dollop for the face. If you’re using a spray, apply until an even sheen appears on the skin.

Sunscreen vs. sunblock
Sunscreens are classified as chemical or physical. Chemical sunscreens contain ingredients that act as a screen to reduce ultraviolet radiation (UVR) penetration to the skin. Chemical sunscreens are often colorless and give the skin a light sheen.

Physical sunscreen, also known as sunblock, contains ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide that physically block UVR. Sunblocks have a visible coloring (most often white, but now come in bright colors). The amount of sun protection that sunblock provides cannot be quantified in the same manner as sunscreen SPFs, and they do not protect against UVA rays.

Natural sunscreen/sunblock alternatives
There are natural alternatives to sunscreen and sunblock, and many companies are now offering natural sunscreens that are made with organic and mineral ingredients. But there is no scientific evidence to support that natural alternatives are safer or more effective than regular sunscreens.

New FDA requirements for sunscreen
In June 2011, the FDA announced new requirements for sunscreens currently sold over-the-counter (i.e., non-prescription.) The requirements are outlined below and can be found on the FDA Web site:

  • Broad spectrum designation. Sunscreens that pass FDA’s broad spectrum test procedure, which measures a product’s ultraviolet A (UVA) protection relative to its ultraviolet B (UVB) protection, may be labeled as “broad spectrum SPF [value]” on the front label. For broad spectrum sunscreens, SPF values also indicate the amount or magnitude of overall protection. Broad spectrum SPF products with SPF values higher than 15 provide greater protection and may claim additional uses, as described in the next bullet.
  • Use claims. Only broad spectrum sunscreens with an SPF value of 15 or higher can claim to reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging if used as directed with other sun protection measures. Non-broad spectrum sunscreens and broad spectrum sunscreens with an SPF value between 2 and 14 can only claim to help prevent sunburn.
  • “Waterproof,” “sweatproof” or “sunblock” claims. Manufacturers cannot label sunscreens as “waterproof” or “sweatproof,” or identify their products as “sunblocks,” because these claims overstate their effectiveness. Sunscreens also cannot claim to provide sun protection for more than 2 hours without reapplication or to provide protection immediately after application (for example, “instant protection”) without submitting data to support these claims and obtaining FDA approval.
  • Water resistance claims. Water resistance claims on the front label must indicate whether the sunscreen remains effective for 40 minutes or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating, based on standard testing. Sunscreens that are not water resistant must include a direction instructing consumers to use a water resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating.
  • Drug facts. All sunscreens must include standard “drug facts” information on the back and/or side of the container.

For more sun-smart tips, visit http://www.massey.vcu.edu/skin-health-resources.htm.

Prostate cancer trial aims to reduce radiation treatments

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Radiation EquipmentVCU Massey Cancer Center has opened a Phase I clinical trial testing an innovative radiation therapy for patients with early stage prostate cancer that has the potential to drastically reduce treatment time. In comparison to the standard schedule of eight weeks of daily external beam radiation therapy, the new technique requires just four treatments, administered twice in the first week and twice in the fourth week.

“Many patients travel a significant distance to undergo radiation therapy at Massey,” says the creator of the innovative dosing schedule and lead investigator on the clinical trial Mitchell Anscher, M.D., Florence and Hyman Meyers Chair of Radiation Oncology and co-leader of the Radiation Biology and Oncology program at VCU Massey Cancer Center. “If successful, not only does this shortened dosing schedule mean less time out of work and less time in the clinic for patients, but we also estimate that it will cost at least $7,000 less than the standard eight-week treatment plan.”

The clinical trial shortens the treatment schedule by using a form of external beam radiation therapy called stereotactic radiation therapy. Stereotactic radiation therapy relies on precise imaging techniques, such as Massey’s Calypso 4D Localization System, to deliver a concentrated dose of radiation to the tumor with extreme accuracy. This approach allows physicians to deliver the same total amount of radiation over a much shorter period of time.

“Previous clinical trials and biological models suggest this approach could be an effective way to treat prostate cancer,” says Anscher. “We are testing the feasibility of this novel dosing schedule in hopes of developing a model that can be used by other treatment facilities with similar equipment.”

Approximately 250 patients are expected to enroll in the trial, which will be open at Massey and Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, where Massey provides oncology care. Those interested in enrolling or learning more about the clinical trial should contact Massey’s Department of Radiation Oncology at (804) 828-7232 and reference clinical trial MCC-14712.

VCU Massey is currently conducting more than a dozen prostate cancer clinical trials and more than 150 total trials on a variety of cancers. View a complete list of all active clinical trials available at VCU Massey.

MicroRNA Study Funded by National Institute of Justice

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1010760_30792274A collaborative team of cancer and forensic science researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and VCU Massey Cancer Center were awarded a two-year, $310,000 grant from the Office of Justice Programs, housed within the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), to study microRNAs. MicroRNAs are a recently discovered class of RNAs that play key roles in the regulation of gene expression.

Most people are familiar with DNA, the molecule found in our bodies that encodes the genetic instructions and is often referred to as one of the building blocks, or blueprint, of the body. And if you’ve watched a crime show, you know that DNA is an important part of forensic science that helps to identify suspects.

What is not so familiar are RNAs, which are working “copies” of DNA found in different cells, including bodily fluids. Also considered one of the building blocks of the body, RNA is typically found in a single-stranded form in cells, whereas DNA is usually in a double-stranded form.

The study’s co-principal investigator, Zendra Zehner, Ph.D., researcher in the Cancer Molecular Genetics program at VCU Massey Cancer Center and professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at VCU School of Medicine, is hoping to find new biomarkers for prostate cancer through microRNAs.

“Approximately 1,600 microRNAs have been identified so far, and we suspect there are more that we hope to find through deep sequencing, a technique that converts microRNAs to cDNAs and then determines the sequence of every microRNA in the sample using classic DNA sequencing methods. It is a new and novel approach,” said Zehner. “In my research, I am looking at the diagnostic probabilities for prostate cancer by studying microRNAs to find an indicator of cancer. The goal is to develop a new and improved prostate cancer test by using appropriate bodily fluids to check for microRNAs denoting cancer. An easier test will mean better screening measures and the opportunity to find and start treating prostate cancer earlier, thus saving lives.”

The researchers are also using deep sequencing to identify and characterize microRNAs in forensically important biological fluids. This molecular identification of bodily fluids represents a new technique that supplements DNA analysis in forensic cases.

“Identifying any bodily fluid at a molecular level would be highly advantageous for forensic evidence,” said Sarah Seashols, M.S., the study’s other co-principal investigator and forensic molecular biology instructor in the VCU Department of Forensic Science.

The NIJ grant was highly competitive, with only 11 grants awarded out of more than 90 applications from across the nation.

“I believe we attained this award due, in part, to the combination of our strengths in forensic science and basic/cancer research,” said Zehner. “This study is a great illustration of the important interdisciplinary research and collaboration taking place at VCU.”

By: Francis Dumenci, Alaina Farrish and Jenny Owen