GCCRI Symposium

In celebration of the 5th anniversary of the GCCRI we held a symposium on the Genetics and Biology of Childhood Cancer at the Hotel Contessa February 26 - 27th. Our founding director Dr. Sharon Murphy also attended (Sharon is now a Scholar-in-Residence at the Institute of Medicine). The Keller lab hosted the session on disease models and preclinical studies. Speakers in this session included Tom Look (DFCI) who gave a great talk on ALK that follows his Fall report in Nature, Rene Galindo spoke on drosophila models of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, Pat Reynolds talked about exciting new retinoid therapies for neuroblastoma and leukemia, and Peter Houghton reviewed the tremendous progress by the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program. We can't thank the speakers enough for making this an exciting, interactive exchange.

In memory of Patsy McCleish

Our deepest sympathies go out to Mandy and her sisters following the passing yesterday of their mother, Patricia Mary McCleish. Patsy was a loving mother and guiding example of strength throughout her many years of recurrent, metastatic cancer. Her positive attitude and love of life were an example to everyone who met her. Patsy's services will be held 1pm on Saturday February 14th at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 4201 De Zavala Rd, San Antonio. There will be a small gathering of family and friends at Mandy's home following the services.

The family asks that in place of flowers that a donation be made in her honor to the American Cancer Society to benefit research for lung or liver cancer.

Our hearts go out to Mandy and her sisters, Nicole Quirk and Allison McCleish, in this saddening time.

Children's Oncology Group Conference on Rhabdomyosarcoma Biology

Koichi, Corrine and Charles attended the COG Rhabdomyosarcoma Biology Symposium on Feb 5-6 in Seattle. Charles presented our recent work on the rhabdomyosarcoma cell(s) of origin that Koichi has done, as well as results for new therapeutic targets and how to overcome drug resistance, which Corrine and Jinu have done. It was an exciting opportunity for researchers, clinicians and patient advocates (Joan Darling) to interact and exchange ideas. The rhabdomyosarcoma-specific symposium was conceived by Fred Barr (University of Pennsylvania) and implemented by Doug Hawkins (COG Soft Tissue Sarcoma Committee Chair, and faculty at Seattle Children's). While the weather in Seattle may have been typical for the season, the conference was very upbeat and there looks to be a new era of collaborative science on the horizon.

Koichi's Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Accepted for Publication

Congratulations to Koichi, whose manuscript characterizing our alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma mouse model was accepted to Cancer Research today! This manuscript credentials our genetically-engineered mouse model for preclinical studies (drug target identification & therapeutic testing). Co-authors include lab member Mandy McCleish, Suresh Prajapati and lab alumni Andrea Rodriguez & Min Jung Cho. Collaborators included members of the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics (UTHSCSA), the Khan laboratory (NCI), the Wang laboratory (Univ of Illinois, Chicago), the Aronow laboratory (Univ of Cincinnati), the Barr laboratory (U Penn), the Ladadnyi laboratory (MSKCC) and the Qualman laboratory (Columbus Children's Hospital). This study was funded by the Scott Carter Foundation, a Bradley J. Breidinger Memorial Research Award from the Sarcoma Foundation of America, and the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.

[ 3/31/09 We've just been informed that Koichi's paper has been selected for the Highlights section of the upcoming issue of Cancer Research. Congratulations, Koichi! ]

[ 4/1/09 Koichi's manuscript is on online. ]

[ on right: pre-gray file photo of Koichi ]

Jinu and Koichi present at AACR Mouse Models of Cancer Meeting

Lab members Jinu Abraham and Koichi Nishijo presented their posters this week in San Fransisco at the AACR Mouse Models of Cancer meeting. This was an exciting conference, and this year many researchers presented results challenging assumptions about cancer progression and therapeutics. We look forward to getting Jinu's and Koichi's stories to scientific journals for consideration very soon.

[ pictured: Jinu (left) and Koichi (right) on the last day of the conference ]

Eri's Medulloblastoma Study Accepted for Publication

Congratulations to Eri, whose manuscript on medulloblastoma was accepted to Pediatric Blood & Cancer today! This paper describes a potentially new treatment approach to medulloblastoma using proteasome inhibitors. Co-authors include lab member Mandy McCleish and lab alumnist Min Jung Cho. This study was funded by the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the US, St. Baldrick's Foundation and the National Brain Tumor Society. [ on right: medulloblastoma arising from the cerebellum in our new mouse model of medulloblastoma ]


UPDATE (11 Feb 2009): Eri's manuscript is now online ahead of print here.
UPDATE (11 Mar 2009): Eri's article will be the cover feature when it goes to print!

UPDATE (24 June 2009): Eri's article in in print as the cover and lead article.

UPDATE (15 Aug 2009): Eri's article is the feature of a Highlight Commentary in PBC by Kevin Cheung and Benjamin Ebert at Harvard. For the commentary, click here.

Welcoming Rachel

UTHSCSA graduate student Rachel Hartley will be rotating in our laboratory beginning January 12. Rachel received her B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin in the Spring of 2008. As an undergraduate, Rachel worked with several professors that inspired her to pursue a Ph.D. in the biomedical research field. As a first year graduate student at UTHSCSA, Rachel’s interests include Cancer, Immunology, and Pharmacology.