Pathways to Spring 2009 | uccrc.uchicago.edu

Cancer Research Foundation Funds Unique Program in Leukemia Research

“If you have a passion and act on it, remarkable things can indeed happen.”

Interview with Ruth Ann M. Gillis - Page 4

This Issue Cancers of the Blood System...................... 2 Gifts of Hope.................................................... 3 Shubitz Award................................................. 3 DreamHome..................................................... 3 Ruth Ann M. Gillis Interview....................... 4 Member News and Notes............................ 5 Research Highlights....................................... 5 CECOS: Our Daughters Our Duty..............6

The Cancer Research Foundation (CRF) has generously provided the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center (UCCRC) with an initial grant of $3 million to catalyze a multidisciplinary systems biology and genomics approach to study therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML). (The CRF is an Illinois 501(c)(3) not for profit corporation, operating in Chicago, and committed to funding innovative laboratory and clinical cancer research projects in Chicago medical centers.) Founded by the late Maurice Goldblatt and today led by his son, Stanford J. Goldblatt and daughter, Merle Goldblatt Cohen, the CRF has provided over $20 million to the University of Chicago cancer programs since its inception in the 1950s. “The Cancer Research Foundation is committed to supporting new ideas in cancer research that have the potential to develop into major breakthroughs in the battle against cancer,” said CRF Executive Director Alexandra Nikitas, “and we believe that this project represents a major opportunity to push cancer science forward.” New systems-level approaches to research are transforming science because they represent a departure from the traditional reductionist approach, in which scientists break down complex systems into their individual elements, for example, organs, cells and molecules, to understand their role and function. While this type of approach remains a foundation for scientific research, it does not allow us to understand what happens when these individual elements interact in a complex system. For example, it does not explain how dozens or even hundreds of genes interact with the environment to cause cancer and other diseases. However, with new advances in genomics, computer technology, and informatics, researchers now have the tools to collect, store, and analyze the huge amounts of data required to understand complex systems as a whole. In the past 30 years, enormous progress has been made in the treatment of cancer, increasing the number of cancer survivors from 3 to nearly 12 million in the United States. However, a growing number of cancer survivors are developing second, therapy-related cancers, in particular acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The disease is a direct result of mutational events that are induced by chemotherapy or radiotherapy used in the treatment of primary malignancies, such as breast and colon cancer. Approximately 8-10 percent of all patients treated for cancer will develop t-AML, an average of 5 years after receiving treatment, and have a median survival of 8 months. Patients who have received immunosuppressive agents for organ transplantation and the elderly are also at risk for developing t-AML and AML.

Funding from the CRF is enabling the University to assemble an interdisciplinary team of scientists to use a comprehensive approach to identify individuals at risk for developing t-AML, identify genetic susceptibility factors that are involved, and design effective prevention and treatment strategies for this disease. Members of the interactive team, led by Michelle Le Beau, PhD, represent the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center and the University of Chicago Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology. The team has extensive research expertise in clinical oncology, hematopathology,

Some members of the study team gathered with Alexandra Nikitas, (bottom right) Executive Director, Cancer Research Foundation. The top row from left to right are Harinder Singh, PhD, John Cunningham, MD, and Kevin White, PhD. Michelle Le Beau, PhD, Director, UCCRC, is to the left of Nikitas.

genetics, genomics, systems biology, computational modeling of molecular networks, and hematopoiesis. Members include John Cunningham, MD, Eileen Dolan, PhD, Lucy Godley, MD, PhD, Sandeep Gurbuxani, MBBS, PhD, Rong Huang, PhD, Richard Larson, MD, Yves Lussier, MD, Toyosi Odenike, MBBS, Ken Onel, MD, PhD, Harinder Singh, PhD, Wendy Stock, MD, and Kevin White, PhD. Using a systems approach, these investigators will integrate six research projects involving high-throughput screening, stem cell biology, pharmacogenetics, clinical trial design, and computation to better understand the basic biology of t-AML. Taken together, these projects will help researchers identify the molecular basis of the disease and lead to improved therapies, earlier detection, and prevention strategies. “The CRF has been a steadfast and generous supporter of cancer research for many decades,” said Dr. Le Beau. “This is one more example of the CRF’s commitment that Maurice Goldblatt established so many years ago.”

Janet Rowley, MD, (left in purple) is present as President Obama signs an executive order lifting the ban on federal funding for promising embryonic stem cell research. For full story, see “Member News and Notes”, page 5.

A Message from The Director Collaboration is fundamental to everything we do. It is fundamental to the UCCRC, which leverages the creativity of more than 200 scientists to tackle cancer. Our wealth of partnerships extends far beyond the borders of the University. The pursuit of our mission involves researchers across the globe, employs resources contributed by public and private organizations, and benefits from the participation and support of donors, patients, community leaders, and many others.

Michelle M. Le Beau, PhD Director, University of Chicago Cancer Research Center / Professor of Medicine

This issue of Pathways presents ample evidence of this collaboration at work. It explores the joint effort of the UCCRC and the Cancer Research Foundation (CRF) to investigate therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML). Thirteen top investigators lead a diverse team integrating six research projects in a program using an approach built on multidisciplinary, systems biology and genomics. The related story on cancers of the blood systems reviews several research successes and broadens our review of the extensiveness of our attack on these malignancies.

Ruth Ann M. Gillis, President of the UCCRC Cancer Research Foundation’s (UCCRF) Board of Trustees, touches on these themes in her interview when she discusses the importance of “cooperation, comprehensiveness, and collaboration,” which are central to the UCCRC strategy. She also offers information about the key role the Foundation and its members play in their vital, invaluable partnership with the UCCRC. At the UCCRC, we are all enormously grateful for the support of the UCCRF, the CRF, and all of our supporters. During these unique times of global uncertainty, we recognize how difficult it would be to pursue our programs without their assistance. We are also indebted to our professional partners who bring new perspectives, resources and expertise to our activities. The need for collaboration intensifies as we reach deeper into the biological mysteries of cancer. We have come to a point in our research where the complexities, technological requirements, and scale of our investigations demand it. With thanks and warm regards,

uccrc.uchicago.edu

Pathways to Discovery

UCCRC Builds on the Tradition of Excellence in Research of Cancers of the Blood System

According to Richard Larson, MD, the Director of the Hematologic Malignancies Clinical Research Program, this passion and dedication has enabled UCCRC researchers to make significant contributions to our understanding of these malignancies. For example, they have expanded our Richard Larson, MD knowledge of the roles of blood-forming stem cells in cancer. These cells generate several types of blood cells and help determine whether they mature normally or abnormally. While they are not embryonic stem cells, they may provide a key to the causes of some cancers. As John E. Niederhuber, MD, Director of the National Cancer Institute, said, “There is a growing body of evidence that some tumors are driven by a small number of cells that have properties similar to embryonic stem cells. According to the cancer stem cell hypothesis, these rare cells are the only cells within a tumor that can self-renew and give rise to diverse progeny, much like stem cells in the embryonic setting and in adult tissues.”

Focusing on Interactions of Cells and their Microenvironments

Dorothy Sipkins, MD, PhD, and her colleagues are exploring the interactions between cells, their surroundings, and their roles in carcinogenesis (the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells). The interaction of hematopoietic stem cells with their microenvironments, also referred to as niches, in the bone marrow is critical for hematopoiesis, the formation of new blood cells. These niches are necessary for maintaining blood-forming hematopoietic stem cells and fostering mature blood cells. Niches are ideal targets for the initiation of carcinogenesis. Cancer cells can take over a niche, changing the microenvironment to serve their needs, and creating a trap for healthy cells. Using advanced microscopy and mouse models, the Sipkins’ team discovered that once leukemia cells occupy the niche, they begin to over-express, in other words generate excessive levels of a protein called stem cell factor (SCF). The heightened expression of SCF serves as an attractant for healthy stem cells to the niche, where they are unable to produce normal numbers of new blood cells or escape. Ultimately, this entrapment reduces the number of healthy stem cells, which results in reduced accessibility for autologous stem cell transplantation. Autologous stem cell transplantation, which involves the harvesting of stem cells and later reintroducing them back to the patient, is used to create and replace new, healthy cells that are destroyed during chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

UCCRC researchers are generating new insights into normal and malignant stem cell biology, and are uncovering the dynamics regulating normal and malignant hematopoiesis (the formation of new blood cells). They are increasing the number of clinical trials addressing these malignancies and are investigating new experimental drugs aimed at specific biological targets. In addition, they are enhancing stem cell transplantation and collaborating in large national cooperative group trials that focus on the treatment of biologically unique groups of acute myeloid and lymphoid leukemia patients. These studies are important steps in the evolution of personalized care based on a patient’s own biology.

Dr. Sipkins punctuates the discussion of her work with broad smiles. She is aware that her research has the potential to enhance cancer treatment and ultimately save lives. Her team discovered that the inhibition of SCF over-expression in mouse models reduces the migration of stem cells to the unhealthy niches. “If human stem cells respond as mouse cells do, we could potentially boost the immune system’s response by protecting the hematopoietic stem cells—the source of mature immune cells,” said Dr. Sipkins. “This approach could buy us time to apply other therapies, help the patient tolerate other therapies and remain active, and make healthy stem cells available for autologous transplantation.”

Promise in the Fight against Myeloproliferative Disorders

Enhancing Stem Cell Transplantation

Olatoyosi Odenike, MD, is one of the researchers engaged in the search for new therapies for patients with acute leukemias and chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms. (This group of diseases of the bone marrow results in an excessive production of various blood cells and has a variable propensity to evolve into acute myeloid leukemia.) Her enthusiasm for her research is evident when she describes her work and objectives. “Our growing understanding of the specific molecular pathways that contribute to the development of these disorders will allow us to develop novel therapies that are more effective and safer,” said Dr. Odenike. She is currently investigating a number of novel therapeutics including chromatin remodeling agents such as histone deacetylase Olatoyosi Odenike, MD (HDAC) inhibitors and DNA

2

methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors. These agents inhibit enzymes that modulate the expression of genes, which control various cellular processes including cellular proliferation and apoptosis (cell growth and death). She has conducted an NCI-sponsored clinical trial that showed that the DNMT inhibitor, Decitabine, has clinical activity in patients with advanced myelofibrosis, a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm for which there is no standard therapy.

Making stem cell transplantation more effective and safer is an issue that is often on the mind of Koen van Besien, MD. Dr. van Besien is the Director of the Stem Cell Transplant and Lymphoma programs at the University of Chicago and has made major contributions to research in both fields.

In recent years, he has developed advanced approaches for conditioning patients for transplantation, studied the use of innovative immunotherapy to enhance transplantation outcomes and developed new approaches in cord blood transplant. His team member, Andrew Artz, MD, has identified bio-markers that help physicians predict outcomes of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. (Allogeneic stem cell transplantation uses stem cells from a genetically similar donor.) This discovery provides physicians with valuable information, allowing them to adjust treatment to meet the unique needs of the patient. Dr. van Besien emphasizes how technological enhancements can

uccrc.uchicago.edu

move cancer treatment and research forward, using improvements in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing as an example. HLAs represent a group of proteins, which vary from person to person, that trigger the immune system in response to foreign substances. Donor bone marrow will react against the recipient (a process called graft vs. host disease) and more violently so if the HLA type of donor and recipient are different. Molecular HLA typing is a procedure in which experts compare the DNA of the recipient with the prospective donor’s to determine compatibility. The introduction of “molecular typing” has allowed for greater precision in HLA typing, resulting in more successful transplantations. The lack of donors, especially in the African American community, is a serious concern. The National Marrow Donor Program estimates that only 6 percent of registered donors are African American, while more than 12 percent of the U.S. population is from that ethnic group. In 2008, Dr. Besien and his colleagues published the findings of a study, in Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation (14:938-941, 2008), documenting the difficulty of finding African American donors. The team performed “51 unrelated donor searches for AfricanDorothy Sipkins, MD, PhD, (standing) American patients and Sheng Wang, PhD, lab manager. using the National Marrow Donor Program® and found HLA-identical unrelated donors for only 3.” To circumvent this problem, he and his team are studying the use of mismatched family donors combined with cord blood transplantation. In this procedure, the stem cells from the family donor recover first, but they are gradually replaced by cord blood stem cells. The cord blood stem cells cause much less graft vs. host disease, even though they are not HLA-identical.

Photo Credit Hoyee Leong, Phd

This issue of Pathways elaborates on the UCCRC’s research prominence in cancers of the blood system, including the awarding of a 3 million dollar, multidisciplinary grant from the Cancer Research Foundation (CRF) to study therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) (see page 1), and President Barack Obama’s extraordinary recognition of Janet Rowley, MD, at the March 9, 2009 signing of his executive order on stem cell research (see page 5). These two accomplishments reflect the UCCRC’s tradition of excellence and the prospect of continued progress in the struggle against leukemias, lymphomas, and related diseases. UCCRC researchers remain optimistic that we will someday bring most of these cancers under control. When discussing their work, these investigators reveal the extraordinary passion with which they approach cancer research.

A Process of Constant Progress

According to Dr. van Besien, the search for cures for cancers of the blood system at the UCCRC is an enduring process of small steps and giant leaps. Our members investigate these cancers from a number of angles, using many different approaches and technologies. They make fundamental discoveries in the laboratory that expand our knowledge of cancer. For example, Harinder Singh, PhD, and his colleagues discovered that moving an active gene from the interior of a cell’s nucleus to its periphery can silence the gene. This study enables us to understand the underlying causes of some cancers related to gene mutations. Kenan Onel, MD, and his colleagues analyzed the interaction of two DNA repair genes and identified their roles in making patients more susceptible to an aggressive leukemia called therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML), which is Koen van Besien, MD caused by cancer chemotherapy or radiation. The team’s findings will likely improve the treatment of primary cancers to reduce the risk of developing t-AML. These are just a few examples of how UCCRC members are participating in the search for cures for cancers of the blood system. These efforts are the continuation of a long, productive tradition that has given hope to patients of cancers that, not long ago, were considered incurable.

At the Forefront of Discovery

Gifts of Hope: The Ted Mullin Fund for Pediatric Sarcoma Research Some 6,000 swimmers, representing over 100 different college, high school, and club swim teams from across the world, participated in the 2008 Ted Mullin “Hour of Power” swim relay to raise money and awareness for sarcoma cancer research. This relay is one of the Carleton College Knights’ favorite practice sets, and the team (with the help and support of the Mullin family) felt it would be an appropriate fundraising event in remembrance of former captain Ted Mullin, who lost his battle to synovial cell sarcoma, a rare cancer of connective tissues, in September 2006. The event, currently in its third season, has grown steadily in popularity and has successfully raised over $100,000 in seed funding for cancer research. The Mullin family and many other donors for the University of Chicago pediatric sarcoma research program augmented this donation to enhance the collaborative efforts between clinicians and physician-scientists in the identification of the causes of sarcoma. Thanks to the partnership of the Mullin family and the work done in loving memory of their son, the University of Chicago has strengthened its team of experts and initiated exciting new research projects. One such expert is Stephen X. Skapek, MD, whose recruitment

in 2007 as the Associate Professor in the Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, is a direct result of Ted Mullins Fund donations. As a clinician, Dr. Skapek specializes in caring for children with malignant solid tumors, in particular soft tissue sarcomas like synovial cell sarcoma. He is also involved in designing and running clinical trials that test new treatments for children with rhabdomyosarcoma and other types of soft tissue sarcomas. Dr. Skapek’s laboratory focuses on the basic aspects of cancer biology, specifically on tumor suppressor genes that prevent cancer but are often mutated or inactivated in childhood cancers. By studying how tumor suppressor genes function during normal development, Dr. Skapek and his colleagues are gaining insight into how they can block tumor formation and potentially be applied as new therapies for sarcomas, with fewer long-term effects than current treatment options. It is anticipated that the financial support provided by the Ted Mullin Fund will enable Dr. Skapek and his team to generate preliminary data, which will then be used to secure additional funding for continuation of this area of investigation.

Ted Mullin

Innovative approaches are essential to discovering new scientific breakthroughs and achieving improved survival statistics for pediatric sarcoma patients. Unlike research in more common types of cancer, where largescale clinical trials involving thousands of patients have enabled investigators to gain a better understanding of the effectiveness of new treatments, breakthroughs for sarcoma patients will come from basic and translational research, such as the project described above. Thanks to the tireless efforts and personal contributions of the Mullin family and many others, new initiatives have already been advanced in the fight against this devastating disease. Support of this initiative will continue to help pave the way for advances in this field for many years to come. For more information about the Ted Mullin Fund’s “Hour of Power” Swimming event, please contact Rick Mullin or Mary Henry at [email protected].

Shubitz Award to Honor Innovator in Epidemiology Research Margaret R. Spitz, MD, MPH, is the 29th recipient of the annual 2009 Simon M. Shubitz Cancer Prize and Lectureship, a prize created by Dr. Shubitz in 1977 to honor scientists responsible for groundbreaking advances in cancer research. Dr. Michelle Le Beau, PhD, Director of the UCCRC, will present the honor to Dr. Spitz on Monday, May 4, 2009. Dr. Spitz will deliver the 2009 Simon M. Shubitz Cancer Lecture on the same day at noon in the Frank Billings Auditorium P-117. Her lecture will be on “Prediction of Lung Cancer Risk and Outcome: an Integrative Epidemiologic Approach.” During her 27-year career at M. D. Anderson, Dr. Margaret R. Spitz has conducted innovative epidemiology research that has helped propel M. D.

Anderson’s Cancer Prevention Program to international prominence. Dr. Spitz received her medical degree from the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School in Johannesburg, South Africa, and her master’s of public health degree from The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston. She joined the faculty in 1981 and was named founding chair of the Department of Epidemiology in 1995. Dr. Spitz has recruited an outstanding cadre of epidemiologists, and her department now includes 29 faculty members among more than 215 employees and a research budget of over $20 million. The centerpiece of research in the department is an innovative epidemiology program that bridges laboratory studies and clinical research, and is highly interactive and well-funded. Her own research focuses on inter-individual variation in susceptibility to the development of tobacco-related cancers, and the construction of risk models to identify high risk

subgroups of smokers. Dr. Spitz, who has contributed to more than 350 scientific publications, currently serves as principal investigator on three RO1 grants totaling more than $8.3 million. In 2004, she received the Olga Keith Wiess Distinguished University Chair for Cancer Research, the first woman in The University of Texas System selected for its highest endowed position. At M. D. Anderson, she was the first recipient of the Julie and Ben Rogers Award for Excellence in cancer prevention and the Faculty Achievement Award in Cancer Prevention. The Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce recently inducted her into its Hall of Fame. Since its inception in 1947, the University of Chicago Cancer Research foundation Women’s Board has

critical to the Center’sas mission to understand, cure, prevent cancer. To date, the Women’s Board Dr.been Spitz served Co-Chair ofand the NCI’s Lung Cancer has raised over $10 million, funding some of the world’s most innovative programs in cancer research. Progress Review Group and recently completed service on the Board of Scientific Advisors of the NCI. She has served on a NIH study section and is past president of the American Society of Preventive Oncology. for more information on DreamHome, visit merchandisemartdesigncenter.com/dreamhome

Merchandise Mart Doubles the Duration of DreamHome

DreamHome provides inspiration to design professionals; exposure to discerning consumers, manufacturers, design professionals and sponsors; and appreciation for high-end design to the Chicago area and beyond. Each room is the result of the collaborative efforts between ten of Chicago’s top interior designers and the extraordinary resources of the Merchandise Mart Design Center. With this year’s fresh layout, DreamHome provides a lifestyle experience for all involved.

“Pam McGaan (DreamHome Preview Party Co-Chair) and I are very excited to partner with The Merchandise Mart to present the DreamHome 2009 Preview Party to benefit cancer research programs at the University of Chicago,” said Joanne Schell, DreamHome Preview Party Co-Chair. “The new spring venue is fun and fresh. We are proud to be involved with this initiative.” Founded in 1947, the UCCRF Women’s Board is committed to funding some of the world’s most innovative programs in cancer research. Proceeds raised at the DreamHome Preview Party will help the UCCRC recruit new scientists and develop world-class research programs, investigating the treatment and prevention of cancer. According to Barb Sessions, UCCRF Women’s Board President, “The Preview Party offers an opportunity to be among the first to tour the DreamHome and see how everyone can have a fashionable living space, while learning more about green products. Our members applaud the leadership of The Merchandise Mart for

uccrc.uchicago.edu

their commitment to Chicago. They are showcasing the best work of some our leading designers and supporting the University of Chicago’s innovative cancer research.” DreamHome will be open to the public from April 17 – December 18, 2009, weekdays 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

THE SPonSoRS

Celebrating its 5th anniversary, The Merchandise Mart unveiled this year’s DreamHome at an elegant preview gala, Thursday, April 16, to benefit The University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation (UCCRF) Women’s Board. Guests at the DreamHome Preview Party were the first to see the design house, meet the designers, and support the UCCRF Women’s Board in its mission to bring cancer under control by funding research at the UCCRC. The DreamHome will be open for 8 months this year instead of 4, as in years past. Doubling the length of the event will generate more funds for cancer research, because visitors have the opportunity to make a voluntary $5 donation to benefit the UCCRF Women’s Board initiatives.

HE lP US C loSE THE D ooR on CA nCER

3

Pathways to Discovery

UCCRF President Ruth Ann M. Gillis Shares Foundation’s Vision With sharp business acumen, and a generous spirit of civic responsibility, Ruth Ann M. Gillis is just one of the many inspirational individuals involved with the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation. She has a long history with the University, first as a business student, and later as the Chief Financial Officer of the University of Chicago Hospitals and Health Systems, and a sustaining member of the Women’s Board and the President of the UCCRF’s Board of Trustees. She also has an impressive professional background in the private sector. Ms. Gillis is Executive Vice President of Exelon Corporation and President of Exelon Business Services Company. But what is most impressive about Ms. Gillis is her genuine and relentless commitment to furthering the causes she feels passionately about, cancer research in particular. In a crowded lunch spot in downtown Chicago, we sat down with Ms. Gillis to learn about what really drives her commitment to the UCCRF, and gain some insight into her impressions of how the Foundation has and continues to evolve. What we learned about the history of involvement of the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center in significant cancer breakthroughs, and the inspirational work of its members was nothing short of remarkable.

You have a long and impressive history both with the University of Chicago and in the private sector. What was it about the UCCRF, as compared to other philanthropic funds, that inspired you to get involved in cancer research? As with most things, it’s all about the people who touch our lives. Cancer has impacted my life in the most dramatic of ways. My mother, my great aunt, and my grandmother all succumbed to different cancers. I also had a very close friend who twenty-three years ago was diagnosed with cancer. It was through her personal situation, and the fact that the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center was an amazing resource for her, that I learned about the remarkable work of this institution. The UCCRC is a wonderful resource for both clinicians and researchers, who have the experience and the resources to deal with very difficult situations. My friend is still an ardent supporter of the UCCRC. Through these situations, cancer became a part of my life. It didn’t take long for me to become proactive and devote myself to a cause that meant a lot to me personally.

How does your experience in the private sector influence your work at the UCCRF, and vice versa? In my professional life, I’ve been very fortunate to have worked in organizations where community and civic involvement are not only valued, but also promoted and encouraged. When I first became involved in the Cancer Research Foundation, I was working at what was then First Chicago (JP Morgan Chase & Co. today), and they were very supportive of my being involved in an organization supporting cancer research, understanding of my time commitment to attend meetings and events. I feel strongly that corporations have a social responsibility as part of a the communities in which they operate. That value is important to me and I’ve

been fortunate to be a part of three organizations that value civic involvement. I’ve been involved in volunteer work since I’ve been in the fifth grade. It’s a part of my fundamental make-up, and the fact that my employers have been nothing but supportive of this personal inclination has been a big plus.

National Institutes of Health and other Foundations, and at the end of the day, that’s what we can do to help.

In my professional and non-profit work, I have been able to apply the finance skills that I developed early in my career. I find that I am often asked for assistance on finance-related matters. My instinct is to go directly to the bottom line to determine how resources are being allocated, annual and future financial commitments and importantly the cash inflows and outflows – while this sounds fairly basic, it’s not unusual that the basics are just not quite in hand. I’ve found that my professional experiences and my University of Chicago MBA are assets.

In these difficult economic conditions, corporations, individuals, and foundations are all faced with the same challenges. There was a sharp drop in the financial markets in last part of 2008 and another 15-20 percent drop since the beginning of this year. There have been significant contractions in accumulated wealth and value, so it is understandable that people are going to be very careful about where they are going to be investing their money. As always, donors need to examine what they are capable of contributing, but to keep in mind that cancer research and clinical applications of what we learn through research take time. I’ve been involved in cancer research since 1985, and although we’ve made great advances, we have yet to find a cure. This is a long journey requiring consistent research and a consistency in donations to continue to support those research initiatives. We have to be able to appeal to people who have a passion, who share our mission and our values, and hopefully work with them in enlisting their support in a sustained way.

In a Chicago Tribune interview, you mentioned the “importance of strategy, especially when social issues are concerned.” How would you describe the UCCRF strategy? Strategy is an enabler of a shared goal, a shared value, or a shared vision. That’s true in business; it’s true in not-for-profit work, and it’s true in virtually everything we do. The UCCRF strategy is rooted in the UCCRC’s core goals of: cooperation, collaboration, and comprehensiveness. The strategy consists of a clear plan determining how the scarce resources available to us at the UCCRC are to be allocated. These scarce resources are intellectual -- spanning the broad experiences and talents of our clinicians and researchers, in addition to the human capital of our senior leaders and staff. They are also technological, and financial. Led by the efforts of Michelle Le Beau, PhD, who is the embodiment of the spirit of the institution, and whom we proudly support, the UCCRC and the UCCRF strategy effectively focus on marshalling these resources to ultimately pursue the most promising scientific breakthroughs through collaborative efforts.

Innovative approaches are essential to finding new scientific discoveries, and achieving improved survival statistics for cancer patients. What are some innovative projects that have recently taken place at the UCCRC, whose outcomes have been directly funded by UCCRF donations? There are two specific examples that come to mind. The Women’s Board has been a long-standing supporter of the UCCRF, and has since its inception supported the Ben May Lab. The Women’s Board has also expanded its fundraising initiatives so that other important projects and undertakings may also receive the seed funding to launch strategic investigations. One of the initiatives with which we’ve been involved has been a pledge to support the Drug Discovery Laboratory in the Gwen and Jules Knapp Center for Biomedical Discovery. This laboratory works to discover new drugs, and new compounds that enable the treatment, and the improvement of cancer patients’ lives. Amittha Wickrema, PhD is a UCCRC investigator who recently discovered a compound that will inhibit the growth of a cancer that is quite insidious – multiple myloma. This drug discovery is huge and the Women’s Board is proud to have been involved. The other example I could point to is the Campaign for Cancer Prevention, a Board of Trustees funding initiative. This campaign supports a project spearheaded by Habib Ahsan, MD, which investigates genetic and other hormone-related determinants of cancer and cancer risk. Dr. Ahsan’s work centers on the examination of the genetic origins of cancer, and has recently published data related to breast cancer research in women who carry certain hormone genes that are predictors of breast cancer. By further understanding the growth of cancerous cells in this early stage, we can develop more effective solutions to battling breast cancer and improving survival statistics. If researchers at the UCCRC receive the support they need to carry out the completion of projects, such as the two I’ve described, we will continue to make a difference. Our support complements the funding received from the

Many people are hesitant to make a donation in these difficult economic times. What is your approach to inspiring these individuals to stay committed to supporting the UCCRC?

As with everything else, there are some years when our supporters need to pull back or modulate their donations whether it’s their time, treasure, or talent. There are also years when our supporters are able and willing to make greater contributions. We all recognize this as a year to modulate, but we also need to think along a continuum. The UCCRF values the continued support of our donors. We are striving to achieve a sustained level of donations over time. In that regard, our main challenge will be to stay the course. Cancer is still out there and still insidious. We are at a very critical juncture and at the brink of many discoveries that could at the very least mitigate the harshest impact of these cancers.

How is the UCCRF different now than when you first joined? Also, how do you envision the UCCRF changing / evolving in the coming years? The reality is that some aspects of the UCCRF have changed a great deal, and other aspects haven’t changed at all. For one, the technology has changed enormously. We had a recent tour of the new cancer center laboratory space, and it was simply jaw dropping. The intellectual capability of the people on campus has done nothing but rise. Dr. Michelle Le Beau’s vision for collaboration and comprehensiveness was (and continues to be) critical to maintaining the current level of professional expertise. When I first started working at the UCCRF, the institution was much more siloed, which is not unusual in academic medical centers. Researchers were for the most part working independently. I think both the professionalism and organization of the Cancer Foundation management has continued to evolve and improve. Mary Ellen Connellan, the Executive Director of the UCCRF, thinks strategically about how we as an organization should consider positioning ourselves for long-term success. She is always questioning how we are going to reach various fundraising goals and recruit new members to the Women’s Board, the Associate’s Board, the Auxiliary Board, and the Board of Trustees. How the UCCRF raises money has also changed. The Women’s Board pioneered the concept of the grand auction. Forty-five or so years ago, Mrs. Robert Gwinn, who was a Women’s Board member, and her husband, who was the CEO of Encyclopaedia Britannica, traveled to Seattle. There they attended a fund-raising event. When Mrs. Gwinn returned to Chicago, she declared that she had found the most incredibly innovative way to raise money. Various stores donate merchandise, event guests bid on the donated items, and the proceeds go directly to the charity. At the time, this was a novel and extraordinary way to raise money. When I joined the Women’s Board, we had meetings where we would hand-make the posters presenting the items. For Continued on back page

4

uccrc.uchicago.edu

At the Forefront of Discovery

Member News and Notes Everett E. Vokes, MD, an international authority on the treatment of head and neck cancer, lung cancer, and drug development, whose research has helped pioneer the combined use of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, has been appointed chairman of the Department of Medicine at the University of Chicago Medical Center. He has a distinguished career in clinical and translational research, most recently as Chief of the Section of Hematology/Oncology, the John E. Ultmann Professor of Medicine, and Professor in the Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology. He is also Deputy Director of the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center and was the vice-chairman for clinical research in the Department of Medicine. Dr. Vokes’ innovative approach to cancer care is an inspiring example of how clinical work can frame research questions, leading to new ways to treat patients. He is ideally suited to lead us as we pursue new discoveries and unparalleled patient care.

Olufunmilayo Olopade, MBBS, FACP, Professor of Medicine and Human Genetics, was recently selected as one of the Chicago Matters: Beyond Burnham Top 15 Global Visionaries by WTTW11 Public Television in Chicago and WBEZ Chicago Public Radio. Olopade was recognized for bringing a “unique interdisciplinary and international approach to the prevention and treatment of cancer and for extending high-end care to typically underserved populations at home and abroad.” Olopade is an internationally known expert in cancer risk assessment, with a focus on breast cancer research. She has received major accolades for her work. Her investigations include groundbreaking studies that revealed dramatic differences between breast cancers in Caucasians and African Americans.

Dr. Vinay Kumar, MBBS, MD, FRCPath, was named the inaugural winner of the American Society for Investigative Pathology (ASIP) Robbins Distinguished Educator Award. The ASIP Robbins Distinguished Educator Award recognizes individuals whose contributions to education in pathology have had a manifest impact at a regional, national, or international level. Walter Stadler, MD, participated in the “Current Controversies in Oncology” section of The Association of Clinical Oncology News & Forum. Dr. Stadler debated Dean F. Bajorin, MD, FACP of the Memorial SloanKettering Cancer Center and Weill Medical College of Cornell University. The topic was “The Timing of Chemotherapy in Early-stage, Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer.” Dr. Stadler took the position that “Adjuvant Chemotherapy Is a More Rational Approach”; Dr. Bajorin proposed that “Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy is the Favored Approach.”

On March 9, 2009, President Barack Obama signed an executive order, which lifted the ban on federal funding for promising embryonic stem cell research. The Administration invited Janet Rowley, MD, (second from the left in purple suit) to participate in the signing ceremony. She was one of six research scientists at the event that President Obama praised as “outstanding scientists who we hope will guide us through the process of leading the world in the discoveries of this new century.” Nobel Laureate Harold Varmus, MA, MD, President of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and Co-Chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) was the other cancer researcher among the six. (Dr. Varmus is standing behind President Obama.)

AP Photo/Ron Edmonds

Research Highlights The findings of a multicenter study of prostate cancer patients, appearing in the Journal of Oncology, suggest that for some men diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer, opting not to initially receive treatment can be safe if they are closely monitored. Study author Scott Eggener, MD, notes that there are no widely-accepted guidelines for determining which patients are appropriate candidates for active surveillance versus those who should undergo second or “restaging” biopsies. However, cure rates appear to be identical when men (identified as unlikely to be affected by their cancer) choose frequent monitoring instead of immediate treatment. Funding for the study was obtained through the National Institutes of Health Ruth Kirchstein National Research Service Award.

Kevin White, PhD, and his colleagues have found a specific diagnostic biomarker for human renal cell carcinoma, the most common type of kidney cancer. This biomarker, known as SPOP is produced in 99 percent of these carcinomas but not in normal kidney tissue. Physicians could use SPOP levels to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). SPOP could also help researchers determine the original source of cancers that have spread to other organs from an unknown primary tumor. This study was published online in Science, in January 2009.

uccrc.uchicago.edu

William Dale, MD, PhD, and colleagues performed a study which determined that older prostate cancer patients with a biochemical recurrence and high cancer anxiety are likely to begin use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) earlier than necessary. This finding is important since ADT may not improve survival, and may adversely impact quality of life. It suggests that the nonclinical factor of patient anxiety about cancer may be both important and overlooked in choosing when to initiate ADT. This study was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

5

Ruth Ann M. Gillis Shares UCCRF Vision Continued from page 4 example, if we were auctioning a dress from Marshall Fields, we would make a little felt dress for the poster -- yes, we did that. We quickly graduated to pasting magazine pictures on the posters. While a tremendous amount of work; it was also great fun. Today all that work is done electronically. This group has always been willing to step outside of the box and take risks. The year that I was co-chair of the Grand Auction, we made a bold decision to hold the event at a brand new hotel in town, called the Four Seasons Hotel. The Grand Auction was one of the first, if not the first, black tie fundraiser held in the beautiful ballroom of the Four Seasons. Now, our junior board organizes events such as “Karaoke for a Cure,” and poker tournaments. What’s always been nice about the Board of Trustees and the Women’s Board is that we have members who have been involved for thirty plus years and we have members who have been on the board for thirty days, bringing balance and merging interests and talents that are all valued. Everybody has a role and everybody has something to add, and that’s what I cherish about being a part of the UCCRF. The boards combine the innovative thinking of newer members and the history and legacy of the longer tenured members. The passion that drives people to get involved is very real, and we never take that for granted. We are all involved because we want to make a difference, even in the smallest of ways.

Is there anything you’ve learned from UCCRF donors that has been interesting or impactful over the years? Everyone has a personal motivation for wanting to be involved in cancer research, but I think that’s very true of any philanthropic or civic organization. What has always impressed me about our donors is their unwavering commitment to our cause. Our donors see in the present a very real need in an environment where the effects of political and economic conditions can significantly influence the work that is done. We are fortunate to know so many people who understand our mission, share our commitment to cancer research, and

are able to look to the future and provide the sustainable support that we need to function effectively as an institution. Also inspiring is working with and getting to know the people whose lives have been impacted by cancer, and who care deeply about the outcome of our work. What I’ve learned in particular is that if you have a passion and act on it, remarkable things can indeed happen.

What keeps you inspired after all these years? In other words, what is your favorite part of the job? What keeps me inspired is constantly finding innovative solutions to cancer treatment and that the discoveries we make are far-reaching. Even though we don’t yet have a cure, we have made incredible advances that have positively influenced the approach to treating several other diseases and conditions. For example, there has been a great sharing of knowledge between researchers in the area of diabetes and cancer. There has also been a great sharing of information between AIDS and cancer researchers. The boundaries of the impact of our work are dynamic and constantly growing. What keeps me inspired is that with each little step, I know that we are getting closer to improving clinical outcomes and getting closer to finding a cure. I would also like to mention that I am honored to have met and known Dr. Charles Huggins, whom I consider to be an inspirational researcher. I was expecting our second son when I met him; in fact I think my son was born three days or so afterward. I was at the UCCRC for the annual Women’s Board tour, and we were in the laboratory that preceded the wonderful Ben May Lab. This was a very small, rudimentary lab, that didn’t look much different from a high school chemistry lab. As soon as we walked in, the Nobel Prize winner greeted us. He looked at me and asked, “Are you a lawyer?” I politely responded, “No, I’m a banker,” to which he replied, “Oh…I have something you’d like to see.” He then opened a metal filing cabinet and there in a little plastic sleeve, was his Nobel Prize. He nonchalantly placed it in my hand for a few minutes before we continued on with the tour. I remember being struck

by his modest and unassuming nature. He is, and always will be, a role model and an inspirational figure at the UCCRC.

What are the objectives of the Capital Campaign for Cancer Prevention, and how do they differ from previous UCCRF fundraising campaigns? Up until now, many of the UCCRF campaigns have been focused on modernizing the University of Chicago hospital facilities. The Capital Campaign for Cancer Prevention, however, is about programmatic support. It’s about the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center’s three C’s – cooperation, comprehensiveness, and collaboration. It’s about providing an environment where these core beliefs can thrive through bringing together our intellectual and technological resources. This campaign is about enabling our researchers, and about leveraging the innovation that comes from the interaction of numerous ideas and perspectives. It is also, ultimately, about advancing cancer prevention and reducing the risk of death, through the support of an integrated and multifaceted program that engages a wide variety of expertise and experience.

Do you have any final thoughts that you would like to share with our readers? The University of Chicago is a very special institution. It is a treasure in Chicago and we are very fortunate to have a Comprehensive Cancer Center and a wonderful network of hospitals at the University of Chicago. It is our responsibility to nurture and to grow this treasure, a challenge we are only capable of achieving through the sustainable fundraising efforts of the UCCRF. We can’t protect this institution and the value of its treasure - and we certainly can’t continue to advance it - unless we are equipped with the necessary resources to help enable the research, the clinical work, and the outreach to patients. Since I’ve been affiliated with the University of Chicago, the focal point of the institution has always been the patients. It’s why we do the research. It’s why we have the hospitals, and it is why I am so proud to be a part of this extraordinary institution.

Our Daughters Our Duty: CECOS Brings the University to the Englewood Community All seats were filled at a forum promoting the sharing of ideas and valuable information on cervical cancer and HPV. The Saturday, March 7, town hall meeting at Kennedy King College included a discussion on a new vaccine that is effective in preventing cervical cancer. HPV causes more than 99 percent of all cervical cancers and 100 percent of genital warts. The vaccine is effective for the types of viruses that cause 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital warts. The platform for this community engagement event was a series of presentations followed by an informative question and answer session, focusing on concerns regarding HPV prevention and treatment. Despite the heavy rainfall, over 330 were in attendance, eager to voice their opinions and concerns in an energetic discussion. The audience was mostly represented by City College students, who Photo Credit David Christopher

The Forum attracted an overflow crowd, including many nurses (in blue).

were eager to mingle with vendors while enjoying a continental breakfast prepared by the Washburne Culinary Institute. Rick Kittles, PhD, Associate Director for Diversity and Community Outreach, and Kenneth Alexander, MD, PhD, noted HPV researcher and Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Chief, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, at the University of Chicago, kicked off the forum by presenting the facts about HPV and cervical cancer, a cancer that is amenable to prevention and early detection. “I am delighted by the enthusiasm of the people that attended this session and the candid, informative interaction between the speakers and the audience,” said Dr. Kittles, “The more we know about individual cancers, the better we can help ourselves and our children.” Another featured speaker was Julie Morita, MD, Medical Director Immunization Program, Chicago Department of Public Health. Dr. Morita has represented local public health as a member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and as a participant in several CDC-sponsored vaccine consultancies. She has been an active member of the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee, Chicago Area Immunization Campaign, and the Illinois Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics. Yvonne Collins, MD, Professor and Director, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, participated on the panel of experts, responding to many of the questions and issues raised by the audience.

Many mothers and daughters attended the Forum and listened intently to the speakers.

This successful forum was a collaboration between the Kennedy-King College Nursing Program and Biology Department, and the UCCRC’s Community Engagement Centering on Solutions (CECOS). The American Cancer Society also provided support to enable the UCCRC to bring this valuable information to the Englewood Community. The latest in a series of community forums designed to develop and sustain meaningful exchanges of ideas between the community and the UCCRC, the event was the first initiative in the Englewood neighborhood.

Pathways to Discovery Pathways to Discovery is a quarterly publication of the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center.

Editor Paul J. Butera, PhD

Staff Patricia Geiger

Writers Martine Lamotte and Hoyee Leong, PhD

Design and Printing Pixel Print Graphics

University of Chicago Cancer Research Center 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC1140 Chicago, IL 60637 Phone: 773-702-6180 • Fax: 773-702-9311 E-Mail: [email protected] uccrc.uchicago.edu © The University of Chicago Cancer Research Center. All rights reserved.