Update: The Alexa Project

NCI Targeting Rhabdomyosarcoma Workshop

reposted from http://ncifrederick.cancer.gov/events/Rhabdomyosarcoma/ 

NCI Shady Grove
8717 Grovemont Circle
Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Host Institute
Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health

Background
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the third most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood. Approximately 350 new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year accounting for 3 percent of childhood cancers. RMS is derived from primitive myoblasts and morphologically resembles early stages of prenatal skeletal muscle differentiation. However, a large percentage of RMS tumors occur in locations normally lacking skeletal muscle, with the head and neck, genitourinary tract and retroperitoneum being frequent sites of tumor localization. Development of RMS has been associated with genetic tumor predisposition syndromes including Li-Fraumeni syndrome, neurofibromatosis and Costello syndrome. Childhood RMS is subdivided into two major subtypes, embryonal and alveolar, which have distinct histological features and genetic alterations. Adult RMS is largely a third histological subtype, namely pleomorphic RMS. The alveolar RMS subtype carries a poorer prognosis and is strongly myogenin positive by immunohistochemistry. The embryonal RMS subtype carries a better prognosis and is strongly MYOD1 positive by immunohistochemistry. Treatment for RMS is typically multidisciplinary including surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Relapse-free survival rates with this aggressive treatment regimen approach 70-80% for patients with localized disease. However, the 5-year survival rate for patients with metastatic disease at diagnosis continues to be less than 30%. Improvement in these survival rates is dependent upon identification of RMS-specific molecularly targeted agents.

Recent next-generation sequencing efforts have highlighted several driver mutations in RMS. The drivers for ARMS include the PAX3-FOXO1 and PAX7-FOXO1chimeric transcription factors. In contrast, the drivers for ERMS include mutations in the FGFR4/RAS signaling pathway, loss of heterozygosity at 11p15 (leading to IGF2 overexpression) and chromosome 8 gains. The prognostic significance of these mutations is currently unknown. Of these drivers, only IGF1R has been targeted in clinical trials in RMS, through the use of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. These agents, including cixutumumab, show limited single agent activity and efficacy is limited by tumor resistance to the targeted agent. Small molecule inhibitors of the RAS-MAP kinase pathway, receptor tyrosine kinases, and reactive oxygen species have been validated and tested in other cancer types. In addition, targeted agents directed against other chimeric transcription factors, such as EWS-FLI1, have been identified. Validation of these targeted agents in RMS is complicated by the lack of a universal pre-clinical animal model of ERMS or ARMS.

The purpose of this meeting is to bring together the leaders in rhabdomyosarcoma basic, genomic, translational and clinical research to share ideas, data, resources and plan for collaborative and synergistic approaches to decipher rhabdomyosarcoma biology and develop novel therapies.

Planning committee
Javed Khan, Fred Barr, Doug Hawkins, Stephen Skapek, Janet Shipley, David Langenau, Charles Keller, Mari Yohe

Funding Sources
Office of Rare Disease (ORDR; http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/)
Center for Cancer Research (CCR; https://ccr.cancer.gov/)

The Art of Survivorship

This month the collection, "Mother & Son: The Art of a Mom’s Journey through Childhood Cancer with Her Son" will be on display at Tiny’s Coffee 1412 SE 12th Portland, Oregon.  The artist, April, is an advocate for childhood cancer survivorship, her son now thriving after a challenging period with sarcoma.  The mixed media of paint-on-radiograph is accompanied by the history, from a mother's perspective, of the experience.  

Save the Date: Rhabdomyosarcoma & Soft Tissue Sarcoma Conference

The Pablove Foundation is hosting a scientific conference on rhabdomyosarcoma & soft tissue sarcoma November 6-8, 2014 in Los Angeles.  This is a by-invitation meeting for clinician-scientists and researchers from the US and abroad; however, the symposium on Saturday November 8 will be open to the public.  Registration information will likely be available late Summer/early Fall through the Pablove Foundation website.  
  
update:  the website is now open for registration.  

2014 Rhabdomyosarcoma Pico-course

It was an exciting week for the participants of the 2014 Rhabdomyosarcoma Pico-course.  The

goal was to evaluate progress 2000-2014 in cooperative group clinical trials of new agents for rhabdomyosarcoma.  The students concluded that in such trials >525 patients had been planned, at a potential overall cost well exceeding $4.7M (not counting the expense of the drugs themselves).  Many of the results of these clinical trials are still pending.  That said, this was a very hardworking group of students who really came together for a high-level project and did a terrific job.  

KGW story on Cancer Research for Dogs

We are grateful to Cathy Marshall for her local NBC news story on our project for dogs with osteosarcomas.  
   
** This project is described in more detail on our Consano crowdfunding site under, "Be a dog's best friend, help a child".    
  
To inquire if your dog can participate, please email Dr. Keller at keller@ohsu.edu. 
  
The early work in this project was made possible by a great community of supporters including the Scott Carter Foundation and the Trey Foote Foundation (Amanda, Trey's brother, is in the KGW interview).  
  
Our partner on the veterinary side is Dr. Bernard Seguin, a veterinary surgical oncologist at the world-leading Flint Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University.  To see the KUSA 9-news story by Kelly Sommariva, click here.         

Childhood cancer foundations partner towards a clinical trial with OHSU-Doernbecher

press release adapted from The Doernbecher Connection (Winter 2014, Issue 3) 

Beech Grove, KY;  Miami, Florida; Portland, OR

Two children who found worldwide acclaim through their inspirational battles with childhood cancer continue to make an impact. The Thumbs Up for Lane Goodwin Childhood Cancer Foundation and the Live Like Bella™ Foundation for Childhood Cancer have announced the joint funding of the $180,000 “Lane-Bella Project.” The Lane-Bella Project, under the direction of Charles Keller, M.D., an associate professor of pediatrics at Oregon Health and Science University Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and a member of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, is a new set of studies to prepare for a clinical trial focusing on Rhabdomyosarcoma, the aggressive childhood cancer that took the lives of both Lane Goodwin, age 13, and Bella Rodriguez-­‐Torres, age 10. The study will focus on finding an antibody to stop the growth of childhood muscle cancers. Once preclinical studies are complete, children around the world might benefit from these new innovations as early as 2015. The trial is the largest project funded by the two foundations, with each contributing $90,000, and includes the $20,000 donation that the MLB National League Rookie of the Year, Marlins Pitcher Jose Fernandez, directed to the Live Like Bella™ after receiving the honor.

“I want to help children with cancer. I’m proud to support life changing research to help find a cure.”   ‐Jose Fernandez 

Gifts designated for the Lane-­Bella Project will also be applied to the historic Knight Cancer Challenge. Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his wife, Penny, will match OHSU’s fundraising efforts if it meets its $500 million fundraising goal by the end of 2015, totaling $1 billion to advance the Knight Cancer Institute’s vision to end cancer as we know it. To learn more, visit ohsu.edu/knightcancerchallenge.

The Thumbs Up for Lane Goodwin Childhood Cancer Foundation works in memory of its founder, Lane Goodwin. It funds cuttng edge research to find a cause and a cure for childhood cancers, empowers families to advocate on behalf of their children, and provides financial assistance to families through the “Changing Lanes” program. For more information, visit www.ThumbsUpForLane.org

The Live Like Bella™ Foundation was founded in memory of Bella Rodriguez-­‐Torres. It funds innovatve pediatric cancer research, provides recreatonal support for families with children in treatment and assists families who have lost a child to cancer.
For more informaton, visit
www.LiveLikeBella.org.
#ThumbsUpForLane
#LiveLikeBella
#LaneBellaProject
#NoChildFightsAlone

ALSF REACH grant highlighted in Portland Business Journal

Megan's project, sponsored by the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, was highlighted today by Elizabeth Hayes in the Portland Business Journal.  For project updates, click here.  

Nanocourse publication

Congratulations to the 2012 Participants of the OHSU Pediatric Cancer Nanocourse whose peer-reviewed commentary, "A Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma Roadmap: Guiding Research Toward a Cure" is published in the journal, Pediatric Blood & Cancer.  
  
It should be emphasized that this scholarly work is that of members of the community: parents, survivors and students.  We are grateful to have been able to work with this talented and insightful group of individuals.  

International group of pediatric brain cancer researchers receives $300K toward a cure

press release

Parents of children who died from rare cancer believe greater investment in quality research is critical

PORTLAND, Ore. – An international consortium of researchers focused on identifying new molecularly targeted drugs to treat the most fatal form of childhood brain tumor, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, or DIPG, has been awarded nearly $300,000 by The Lyla Nsouli Foundation for Children's Brain Cancer Research, based in London, England. The foundation was established in memory of 3-year-old Lyla Nsouli, who died in January 2012 after a devastating five-month battle with DIPG.

Lyla’s parents, Nadim and Simone Nsouli, are hopeful their contribution will help bring researchers closer to a cure: “Facing her sudden, brutal diagnosis without any real option for treatment or survival is not an experience any child or their family should ever have to bear. Significantly greater investment in quality research is vital to improving the prognosis for children like Lyla. We are determined that research can provide treatments and eventually a cure for this cruel childhood cancer.”

To date, no treatment does more than incrementally increase survival of children with DIPG. One day a child may have a headache or unsteadiness, but the next day a family's life and plans are tragically changed. A group of international researchers called the DIPG Preclinical Consortium hopes to change this.

“Our first phase of drug screening and tumor DNA sequencing couldn't have been possible without the support of the Lyla Nsouli Foundation, the Cure Starts Now, Accelerate Brain Cancer Cures and CureSearch Foundations. Now that we have drug leads, the hard work of validating these begins. The Lyla Nsouli Foundation has been with us every step of the way, both in terms of support and accountability — both matter,” said consortium coordinator Charles Keller, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at Oregon Health & Science University Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute.

“The members of the Children’s Oncology Group CNS committee express a deep sense of gratitude to the Lyla Nsouli Foundation for funding the DIPG Preclinical Consortium,” said Amar Gajjar, M.D., chair of the brain tumor committee for the National Cancer Institute-supported Children's Oncology Group (COG). “The grant from the foundation has sparked a global effort to find new and effective therapies using the latest technologies currently available against diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. The rapid translation of information from research laboratories to a clinical protocol is an often sought aim for advancing cancer cure rates – the grant from the Lyla Nsouli Foundation has made this dream a reality.”

Gajjar and Maryam Fouladi, M.D., co-chair of the COG brain tumor new agents committee and leader of its Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium, conceived the DIPG Preclinical Consortium with Keller: “Real-time science in partnership with the community for a shared goal of finding a two-drug combination to put into international clinical trials for DIPG.”

Consortium member Jacques Grill, M.D., Ph.D., Institut Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif, France, innovates by creating living cell cultures not from autopsy-derived tumor samples, but from biopsies from the brainstem. This novel approach was initially controversial but is winning acceptance, Keller noted. 

“Grill and his colleague, Dr. Darren Hargrave at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, keep a clear line of communication so that the consortium's results are reported in real time to the European clinical trial groups to inform on that side of the Atlantic,” said Keller. “The scientific teams are diverse due to the pressing nature of the need to understand and treat DIPG.”

Each member will take a different but complementary role to ensure the results of the robotic drug screen of 17 autopsy- or biopsy-derived DIPG cultures can be validated in mouse models.

"This collaboration has been a wonderful opportunity to work together as a community to move the field closer to an effective therapy for this terrible disease. I am hopeful that, together and with the immense support from Lyla Nsouli Foundation, we will make real strides forward now," said Michelle Monje, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University Beirne Faculty Scholar in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, Stanford Cancer Institute, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.

"The DIPG Preclinical Consortium offers hope where once there was very little. When my son, Andrew, was diagnosed with DIPG in October 2007, I never imagined that such a collaboration would exist a few short years later — a collaboration where exceptional science and a remarkable patient community meet in partnership to change the future for children like Andrew and Lyla," said DIPG parent Sandy Smith.  

# # #

Consortium members include: Keller, Kellie Nazemi, M.D., Nathan Selden, M.D., Ph.D., Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Oregon Health & Science University; Monje, Stanford University; Grill, Institut Gustave-Roussy; Oren Becher, M.D., Duke University Medical Center; Cynthia Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D., University of Toronto; Xiao-Nan Li, M.D., Ph.D., Baylor College of Medicine; Esther Hulleman, VU Cancer Center Amsterdam; Eric H. Raabe, Johns Hopkins University; Katherine Warren, Paul Meltzer and Martha Quezado, NIH; and Marta Alonso, University of Navarra, Madrid, Spain.  

The DIPG Preclinical Consortium is funded by the Lyla Nsouli Foundation for Children’s Brain Cancer Research, the Cure Starts Now, Accelerate Brain Cancer Cures and CureSearch Foundation.

ABOUT OHSU DOERNBECHER CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital ranks among the nation’s "Best Children’s Hospitals."* It is one of only 22 National Institutes of Health-designated Child Health Research Centers in the country and ranks 39th for NIH awards to children's hospitals and their university-affiliated department of pediatrics.**

Nationally recognized physicians and nurses at OHSU Doernbecher provide a full range of pediatric care to tens of thousands of children each year from Oregon, Southwest Washington and around the nation in a family-centered environment. OHSU Doernbecher specialists also travel throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington, caring for more than 3,000 children at more than 200 outreach clinics in 15 locations. Neonatal and pediatric critical care experts provide round-the-clock consultations to community hospitals statewide through OHSU Doernbecher's state-of-the-art telemedicine network.

*U.S. News & World Report 2013-14 Best Children’s Hospitals

** National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI)

The Lane-Bella Project

We are grateful to the Live Like Bella Foundation and the Thumbs Up for Lane Goodwin Childhood Cancer Foundation for co-funding our Lane-Bella Project, "towards a clinical trial of the VasG3 antibody in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma".  This work is not only supported by a very generous gift from National League Rookie of the Year, Jose Fernandez, but also by families that have been touched by rhabdomyosarcoma.  Angie and Shannah will hold us accountable, and so check back frequently for project updates from Jinu & Charles in this blog entry!

weekly blog update:
12/31/2013:  funding arrived!  we are also filmed a short video to explain the project, to be available soon!
  
01/01/2014:  the video...
  

01/09/2014:  while we wait for the internal university process for account setup, we have begun conversations with the pharma on antibody doses to use for initial studies.
  
01/17/2014:  irb and iacuc approvals are in place so that the university account can be set up.
  
01/24/2014:  accounts set up.
  
01/30/2014:  requests for antibody sent to pharma partner.  mice for studies ordered.
  
02/06/2014:  mice for initial/pilot studies received.  cells thawed for expansion - needed before implantation into mice.  first experiment's plan reviewed with team.
  
02/13/2014:  We have three human aRMS cell lines in culture for injection into immune-deficient mice. Rh41 is growing well and will be injected into mice early next week. Rh5 and PCB380 are taking time to recover from cryopreservation.  See also the press release. 
  
02/20/2014:  Rh41 tumor cell innoculations done today.  
  
02/27/2014:  No new news.  We are waiting for the Rh41 injected mice to grow tumors. 
  
03/06/2014:  As expected, still watchful waiting on Rh41 mice. 
  
03/14/2014:  Discussed studies with pharma company.  more watchful waiting of Rh41 mice. Rh5 mouse studies initiated this week. 
  
04/03/14:  Rh41 xenografts beginning bear palpable masses.  
  
04/10/2014:  Rh41 latency confirmed; Rh5 latency studies still underway; stay tuned for a related publication announcement on Monday!

  
04/14/2014:  See the blog post  http://kellerlabblog.blogspot.com/2014/04/imrans-paper-published-in-pnas.html for a link to today's published PNAS paper on this topic.  The studies in Imran's paper were the basis of this "next steps" project.  
  
04/17/2014:  Rh41 tumor growth rates in NSG mice has been determined & experiment ended.  Rh5 beginning to form tumors. 
  
04/24/2014:  Rh5 xenografts progressing as expected.  New batch of EphB4 neutralizing antibody received from pharma partner, facilitating the next series of therapeutic studies. 
  
05/01/2014:  Rh5 pilot tumor growth rate studies complete.  Therapeutic studies to follow. 
  
05/08/2014:  Working with partner (Jax) to plan PCB380 (aRMS) patient-derived xenograft testing with the EphB4 neutralizing antibody.
  
05/08/2014:  partnership experiment continues to be in preparation phase. 
  
05/15/2014:  no specific progress this week (still awaiting partner preparations). 
  
05/21/2014:  PCB00380 studies may begin in 1-2 weeks.  Meanwhile, discussions with COG leaders this week indicate that phase I testing will be made much easier if we can demonstrate EphB4 blocking antibody activity in 2 or more additional pediatric cancers.  This is fair.  In an a related project, we have been examining osteosarcoma (very early studies) and neuroblastoma is a possible other cancer to consider. 

05/29/2014:  no new news to report. 

06/06/2014:  We are happy to welcome our Summer student Renae to the lab.  Renae will be assisting Jinu in our EphB4 RMS studies.  Meanwhile, PCB00380 experiments are about to commence.  It will take ~6 weeks for these tumors to arise, and will reach the size for treatment to begin in 12-16 weeks.  
  
06/12/2014:  still awaiting tumor formation. interestingly, our Summer student Teagan has found both EphB4 and EphrinB2 expression in canine osteosarcoma.  There are a lot of other studies to consider, but companion pet cancer patients often can be the first to receive a treatment on its way to pediatric cancer trials.  more to follow on this very early observation. 
  
06/26/2014:  parallel studies are now ongoing to explore human osteosarcoma expression of EphB4 and EphrinB2.  We're still awaiting tumor growth of the alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma mice.   
  
07/18/2014:  still awaiting tumor growth.
  
07/26/2014:  still no growth of tumors implanted in June.  Considering parallel model intiation.
  
08/08/2014:  patient-derived human xenograft (PDX) models are slow to grow!  We will start xenograft studies using human aRMS cell lines in the coming weeks: results from the PDX and orthotopic cell line xenografts should both be completed by November/December.  
  
09/11/2014:  awaiting tumor growth.  have been invited to present the data thus far to a cooperative sarcoma clinical trials group on October 7 in Gaithersburg. Parallel studies of EphB4 as a therapeutic target in osteosarcoma continue to look promising.  
  
10/02/2014:   we received as second batch of VasG3 antibody from the company, and have ordered a new set of mice for the Rh30 cell line xenograft studies.  Still awaiting PDX tumor growth.  
  
10/16/2014:  new set of mice due in 2 weeks.  Meanwhile, Jinu is gearing up to have enough cells (for this and another study).  That's a lot of plates!
  
10/30/2014:  All 25 mice have received Rh30 aRMS cells. We are waiting for the tumors to develop in these mice to start treatment with EphB4-antibody from Vasgene.
  
11/13/2014:  For the Rh30 aRMS cell line studies, tumors in mice are palpable and the mice are being treated with the EphB4 antibody.  For the PCB00380 patient-derived xenograft studies, we implanted 5 mice in June and another 5 in August.  We are seeing tumor growth in the August batch.  Both tumors are quite small.  We might see the tumors reach a modest size in late December at which time we can split the tumor in order to generate the many-needed study mice.  This model is slow, so EphB4 antibody dosing will probably begin in March and wrap up in May 2015.  This is the nature of a more authentic patient-derived xenograft (PCB00380) versus the cell line xenografts with Rh30 (Rh30 was created way back in 1987... it's hard to say whether all of its biology is representative of the disease in 2014; however, for the field Rh30 is (unfortunately) still a standard model).   

 

12/11/2014:  Preclinical trial of Rh30 xenograft animals treated with VasG3 is now complete and under analysis. 

 

12/31/2014:  Project on short term hold pending transfer of grant from OHSU to our new, bold adventure at cc-TDI. 

01/06/2015:  New lab started!

  
02/04/2015:  Still awaiting transfer of grant.  Meanwhile for he PCB00380 patient-derived xenograft studies (aRMS model), tumors implanted in December are still too too small to begin treatment.   

02/13/2015:  Thank you, LiveLikeBella, for the funds to initiate the first half year's project!  PCB00380 tumors large enough to begin treatment with VasG3. 

02/18/2015:  PCB00380 treatment studies ongoing.

02/27/2015:  PCB00380 treatment studies still ongoing.
  
03/12/2015:  For PCB00380 treatment studies, synchronous enrollment was done (treatment started on the same day for all tumors).  Some tumors were smaller than others, and it appears that they were at different growth rates.  To have more consistent data, we are going to repeat the experiment with asynchronous enrollment... that is, tumors of the same size begin treatment, even if different tumors begin treatment on different days.
  
03/25/2015:  Repeat study of PCB00380 started (tumors innoculated). 
  
04/08/2015:  New supply of VasG3 received from the manufacturer; ready for repeat mouse study.  
  
04/20/2015:  Awaiting tumor growth in PCB00380 animals.
  

05/07/2015:  In keeping with our publication this past year (PDGFRβ reverses EphB4 signaling in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Apr 29;111(17):6383), we are next going to test the combination of VasG3 (to inhibit EphB4) and imatinib (to inhibit PDGFRb).  A video progress report is below:  

05/07/2015:  repeat of VasG3 inPCB00380 is underway.  
  
06/03/2015:  pharmacodynamics of VasG3-treated Rh30 xenografts in progress.
  
06/17/2015:  no growth so far for repeat of VasG3 inPCB00380.


06/03/2015:  pharmacodynamics of VasG3-treated Rh30 xenografts is done.
  
07/15/2015:  lung metastasis count of VasG3-treated Rh30 xenografts in progress.
  
07/28/2015:  repeat of VasG3 inPCB00380 is nearly complete.  lung metastasis count of VasG3-treated Rh30 xenografts is done. 
  
08/05/2015:  checking PDXs for best model to try VasG3 - other agent combinations. 
  

The Community takes the lead

An exciting initiative from families of rhabdomyosarcoma patients has begun at http://focusonrhabdo.org/.  The group has the goal of making rhabdomyosarcoma a uniformly survivable disease with an improved quality of life.  A great number of rhabdomyosarcoma researchers will provide support to this group, but the goals and mission are being set those who may know the disease best, the families. 
  

Open Science Forum: Target Discovery in Rhabdomyosarcoma

Would members of the community be interested in sponsoring an experiment to launch drug discovery in rhabdomyosarcoma?  We are experienced in building drug screens from our leadership of the international dipg preclinical consortium and now want to build the resources to do the same thing for rhabdomyosarcoma.  We need $16,000 to build the rhabdomyosarcoma-specific 60 drug screen.  Thereafter, screening each new tumor culture would cost approximately $600. 

In parallel, we have an unusual set of other compounds which our lab members call, "Strange Brew."  There's no other way to explain this set of compounds, which draw upon every unusual observation of cancer and muscle biology since the early 1900's.  This higher risk screen is a $21,000 project... we could really use a sponsor for this second project as well.

Plates from both screens would not only be used by our lab, but also distributed to rhabdomyosarcoma research labs in the U.S. and internationally.  We have a good feeling about this.

Rhabdomyosarcoma Lab-ome

We've been asked on occasion what other labs do rhabdomyosarcoma research.  Below is a preliminary list (in no specific order)... we realize many are left off accidentally, but we will update this blog entry regularly to add more:

keller lab,   http://kellerlabblog.blogspot.com/ 

langneau lab,   http://langenaulab.com/ 

guttridge lab,   http://digitalunion.osu.edu/r2/summer09/hill/

barr lab,   http://ccr.cancer.gov/staff/staff.asp?profileid=18438

houghton lab (PPTP),   http://pptp.nchresearch.org/

rudnicki lab,   http://www.rudnickilab.ca/

schaefer lab,   http://www.cnz.uzh.ch/Research/RG4/Schafer.html

khan lab, http://ccr.cancer.gov/staff/staff.asp?profileid=5584
shipley lab,   http://www.icr.ac.uk/research/team_leaders/index.shtml

zammit lab,  http://www.kcl.ac.uk/biohealth/research/divisions/randall/research/sections/signalling/zammit/index.aspx

hollenbach lab, https://www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/genetics/faculty_detail.aspx?name=hollenbach_andrew

mal lab, http://www.roswellpark.edu/asoke-mal

tapscott lab,   http://labs.fhcrc.org/tapscott/

ladanyi lab,   http://www.mskcc.org/research/lab/marc-ladanyi

helman lab,   http://ccr.cancer.gov/staff/staff.asp?profileid=5582

malkin lab,   http://www.sickkids.ca/AboutSickKids/Directory/People/M/David-Malkin-staff-profile.html

linardic lab,   http://pediatrics.duke.edu/faculty/details/0012491

triche lab,   http://www.chla.org/site/c.ipINKTOAJsG/b.8060567/k.4964/Timothy_J_Triche_MD_PhD_Laboratory__Ewings_Sarcoma__Pediatric_Cancer_Research.htm#.UoUrH8LTnuo

fulda lab, http://www.uct-frankfurt.de/content/forschung/e4699/e4665/e4672/index_ger.html

hosoi lab, http://www.kpu-m.ac.jp/doc/english/classes/medical/69.html
gauthier lab, http://www.crbm.cnrs.fr/spip.php?rubrique94&lang=en
galindo lab,   http://www.galindo-lab.org/Overview.html

davie lab,   http://biochem.siu.edu/faculty/Davie.html

chandler lab,   http://chandlerlab.nchresearch.org/

simone hettmer* lab,   tba

jonathan fletcher lab,   tba

amy wagers lab,   tba

rosella rota lab,   tba

alessandro fanzani lab,   tba

* rising star

Rally Foundation 'Legacy Gift' Project

Matthew presented the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research's Legacy Gift project via a booth at the Children's Oncology Group meeting this week in Dallas, Texas.  This project's goal is to developing tissue resources for tumor cell culture and patient-derived xenografts of rare childhood cancers.  Autopsy-derived samples ("legacy gifts") are a major emphasis of this project... with a rationale that the most resistant tumor to develop better treatments. 
 
Please see also the Rally Foundation parent interview at

https://vimeo.com/76616638.  Have some tissues ready.  

 

New & Improved: Patient & Family Wall

We are grateful to the dozens of families who renewed consent forms for the Patient & Family Wall.  This is a very important aspect of our labs' research culture... seeing first hand, every day, those for whom we work towards new treatments in order to "give back childhood".

Macy Michelle Easom Memorial Lectureship

The 2013 Macy Michelle Easom Memorial Lectureship was given yesterday by University of Pennsylvania researcher, Klaus Kaestner.  This lectureship is sponsored by the Macy Easom Cancer Research Foundation, which is dedicated to research and new treatments for hepatoblastoma.  Lisa, Macy's aunt, was in attendance and presented to OHSU a check for $75,000 for development of a humanized hepatoblastoma mouse model.
 
[pictured above:  John Bial, Lisa Howard, Klaus Kaestner and Markus Grompe]

Huffington Post: a frank discussion

As September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, health reporter Suzanne Leigh at the Huffington Post has written an article "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: 8 Brutal Truths to Choke On".  A lot of these uncomfortable observations are key aspects of getting new, effective treatments to children with cancer.  DIPG and rhabdomyosarcoma are both discussed.  

2014 Pediatric Cancer Nanocourse

This community-empowerment week course will examine critical steps to finding new treatments for pediatric cancers, specifically rhabdomyosarcoma and dipg (hepatoblastoma may be a topic as well).  The 2012 Nanocourse in Portland was widely attended by families from the U.S. and Europe.  

  

The 2014 Nanocourse will be at Stanford University in August and organized by parents (John MacIntosh; Sandy Smith).  The rhabdomyosarcoma project will be led by Andrea Eidsvik.  If you are interested in participating in the course and wish to be introduced, send a note to Charles at keller@ohsu.edu.  

  

Attendance will be limited, but this promises to be a very rewarding experience.  

  

innovator, Dr. Jim Olson

A consistently innovative colleague, Jim Olson, has created 'Project Violet' as a grassroots 'citizen science' drug development effort for dipg.  His TED talk and the project description can be viewed here.