15-02-2012 18:52 Jake is one of the first dogs in the area to receive same day stem cell therapy. The new treatment gives animals better treatment in a shorter timeframe. Jake suffers from arthritis and this procedure will help ease the pain.
The rest is here:
Stem cell therapy makes dog happy again - Video
05-03-2012 10:46 Compilation video of before/after cases and some media coverage on Stem Cell Therapy at Val-U-Vet. For more information go to PetsLoveStemCells.com
Go here to read the rest:
Stem Cell Therapy for Pets? It's Science-FACT at Val-U-Vet in Florida - Video
MADISON, Wis., March 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Novelos Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCQX: NVLT.OB - News), a pharmaceutical company developing novel drugs for treatment and diagnosis of cancer, today announced that the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, a leading medical oncology research institution, has enrolled the first patient in a Phase 1-2 positron emission tomography (PET) imaging trial of I-124-CLR1404 (LIGHT), a cancer-targeted PET imaging agent, in patients with primary or metastatic brain cancer. Details of the trial design are available at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT01540513, or at http://www.novelos.com in the 'Clinical Trials' section. Lance Hall, M.D., is the trial's principal investigator. This trial is being funded by an Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) grant.
"Despite recent advances in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, prognosis of patients with many brain tumors, and particularly malignant gliomas, remains dismal. This reflects in part the diagnostic uncertainty in identifying infiltrative tumor growth of malignant gliomas which in turn affects subsequent treatment strategies," said Dr. Hall. "The goals of this study will be to validate uptake of LIGHT in human brain tumors, determine the optimal imaging parameters, and compare tumor volumes and diagnostic accuracy of PET and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)."
"We are very pleased to be expanding our collaboration with the UW Carbone Cancer Center," said Harry Palmin, President and CEO of Novelos. "We look forward to obtaining initial LIGHT imaging data in the second quarter of 2012 in cancer patients with primary brain tumors and brain metastases. We believe positive data would establish proof-of-concept for LIGHT as a PET imaging agent for this indication, could advance our partnering discussions and could be used to calculate effective doses for Phase 2 clinical trials of I-131-CLR1404 (HOT). HOT is our chemically identical small-molecule, broad-spectrum, cancer-targeted molecular radiotherapeutic that delivers cytotoxic radiation directly and selectively to cancer cells and cancer stem cells."
About LIGHTLIGHT is a small molecule imaging agent that we believe has first-in-class potential for selective detection of tumors and metastases in a broad range of cancers. LIGHT is comprised of a small, non-pharmacological quantity of CLR1404 (COLD, acting as a cancer-targeted delivery and retention vehicle) labeled with the short-lived radioisotope, iodine-124, a new PET imaging isotope. PET imaging used in conjunction with CT scanning has now become the imaging method of choice in oncology. In studies to date, LIGHT selectively illuminated malignant tumors in 52 of 54 animal models of cancer, demonstrating broad-spectrum, cancer-selective uptake and retention. Investigator-sponsored Phase 1-2 trials of LIGHT as a PET imaging agent are ongoing. The trials include lung cancer, brain cancer and, starting in the second quarter of 2012, other solid tumors. These human trials, if successful, will serve two important purposes. First, they would provide proof-of-concept for LIGHT itself as a PET imaging agent with the potential to supplant the current "gold standard" agent, 18-fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG), due to what we believe to be LIGHT's superior cancer-specificity and more favorable logistics of clinical use. Second, favorable results would accelerate clinical development of HOT by predicting efficacy and enabling calculation of efficacious doses of HOT for Phase 2 trials.
About the UW Carbone Cancer Center in MadisonThe University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center (UWCCC) is recognized throughout the nation as one of the leading innovators in cancer research, quality patient care and active community involvement. It is the only comprehensive cancer center, as designated by the National Cancer Institute, in Wisconsin. An integral part of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, the UWCCC unites physicians and scientists who work together in translating discoveries from research laboratories into new treatments that benefit cancer patients. To learn more about clinical studies and other initiatives, visit http://www.uwhealth.org/uw-carbone-cancer-center/for-researchers/uwccc/28373
About Novelos Therapeutics, Inc.We are a pharmaceutical company developing novel drugs for the treatment and diagnosis of cancer. Our three cancer-targeted compounds are selectively taken up and retained in cancer cells, including cancer stem cells, versus normal cells. Thus, our therapeutic compounds appear to directly kill cancer cells while minimizing harm to normal cells. This offers the potential for a paradigm shift in cancer therapy by providing efficacy versus all three major drivers of mortality in cancer: primary tumors, metastases and stem cell-based relapse. I-124-CLR1404 (LIGHT) is a small-molecule cancer-targeted PET imaging agent. We believe LIGHT has first-in-class potential and Phase 1-2 clinical trials are ongoing. I-131-CLR1404 (HOT) is a small-molecule, broad-spectrum, cancer-targeted molecular radiotherapeutic that delivers cytotoxic radiation directly and selectively to cancer cells and cancer stem cells. We believe HOT also has first-in-class potential. HOT Phase 1b dose-escalation trial is ongoing and we expect HOT to enter Phase 2 trials in the first quarter of 2013 as a monotherapy for solid tumors with significant unmet medical need, subject to additional funding. CLR1404 (COLD), a cancer-targeted non-radioactive chemotherapy, works primarily through Akt inhibition. We plan to file an IND for COLD in the first quarter of 2013, subject to additional funding. Together, we believe our compounds are able to "find, treat and follow" cancer anywhere in the body in a novel, effective and highly selective way. For additional information please visit http://www.novelos.com
INVESTOR CONTACTS
J. Patrick Genn, Vice President of IR
Anne Marie Fields, Senior Vice President
Novelos Therapeutics, Inc.
Go here to read the rest:
Novelos Therapeutics Announces Enrollment of First Patient in Brain Cancer Trial with I-124-CLR1404 (LIGHT) Cancer ...
In just two years after going commercial, MediVet Americas headquarters in Nicholasville has seen exponential growth with no sign of slowing down.
The privately owned company is one of a handful of developers and researchers worldwide working on stem-cell regenerative therapy for animals suffering from osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia and other degenerative diseases. MediVet also provides other services such as stem-cell storage and selling stem cell extraction kits to veterinarians around the globe.
Founded as a research company six years ago in Sydney, Australia, MediVet as a whole is now represented in 26 counties and has hubs in 44 American states.
In 2010, there were only two full-time working employees at the office and lab building located in Nicholasville. The headquarters now employs 12 people with more sales, research and manufacturing jobs expected to open up in the next few months.
The Nicholasville lab has seen an increase of 3,000 percent in monetary growth since February 2011, said director of lab services Katherine Wilkie.
A University of Kentucky graduate, Wilkie said the lab has seen tremendous increase in clientele, as well. Currently, the facility banks approximately 600 different animal stem cells that account for more than 2,000 samples from all across the country and Canada.
In September, we received a sample from Alaska, she said. That now gives us an animal from each of the 50 states.
Stem-cell regenerative therapy has been used to treat everything from a mouse to an elephant, and Wilkie said they may soon do the procedure on a dolphin.
The companys blooming success boils down to its devolvement of advanced technologies in extracting, activating and storing stem cells that have cut the cost by one-third of their competitors, CEO Jeremy Delk said.
MediVets research and developments has made the procedures and other services they offer economically viable to the average pet owner, he said.
More here:
Pet stem cell biz booming for MediVet
24-02-2012 17:04 Dr.Mark Newkirk is once again on the cutting edge of medicine. Newkirk Family Veterinarians now offer STEM CELL THERAPY for pets. Dr. Mark Newkirk combines traditional medicine and surgery with Holistic Alternatives to access the best of both worlds. As a Veterinarian, Dr. Newkirk has been serving Southern New Jersey for over 25 years. He is extensively trained in medicine and surgery and also is skilled in the care of exotic pets such as reptiles and birds. Dr. Newkirk is also one of only 5 doctors in the country currently undergoing training by the nationally renowned Dr. Martin Goldstein, the author of "The Nature of Animal Healing", and founder of immuno-augmentative therapy for animals, a true alternative cancer therapy. Dr. Newkirk is a member of American Holistic Veterinary Medical Society, the American Veterinary Medical Association, New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association and the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association. For more information check out Stem Cell Therapy on The Animal Planet's dogs 101 http://www.youtube.com
View original post here:
Stem Cell Therapy For Pets at Newkirk Family Veterinarians - Hunter's Story - Video
24-02-2012 09:31 More amazing before and after video, aired by Local 6 Orlando (CBS) on 2/20/12
See the original post here:
Stem Cell Therapy For Pets | Aired 2/20/12 on Local 6 Orlando | Val-U-Vet - Video
MADISON, WI--(Marketwire -03/01/12)- Novelos Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCQX: NVLT.OB - News) (OTC.BB: NVLT.OB - News), a pharmaceutical company developing novel drugs for treatment and diagnosis of cancer, today announced that three scientific posters based on research conducted by Jamey Weichert, Ph.D., and his colleagues will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting in April 2012 in Chicago. These presentations will describe findings in animal and cellular model systems that illustrate Novelos' cancer-targeting technology platform and the resulting clinical-stage diapeutic agents capable of imaging and treating a wide range of malignancies. An abstract of each presentation will be published in the 2012 Proceedings of the AACR. Dr. Weichert is the Chief Scientific Officer of Novelos, founder of Novelos' technology, and is an Associate Professor of the Department of Radiology in the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Dr. Weichert and his University colleagues are all members of the UW Carbone Cancer Center.
I-124-CLR1404 and I-131-CLR1404: Broad spectrum diapeutic agents for cancer cell-targeted PET imaging and molecular radiotherapy (Abstract #5740) Dr. Weichert and his colleagues will present data appearing to demonstrate broad spectrum, selective uptake and retention of the chemical structure shared by I-124-CLR1404 (LIGHT), a PET imaging agent, and I-131-CLR1404 (HOT), a cytotoxic molecular radiotherapeutic, in human cancer cells and in vivo tumor models. This diapeutic agent may enable a personalized approach to diagnosis, treatment planning and subsequent therapy in a wide range of cancer types.
I-131-CLR1404 and CLR1404: Broad spectrum, cancer-targeted molecular radio- and chemotherapeutic phospholipid ether analogs (Abstract #3831) The second presentation by Dr. Weichert and his colleagues will report on data appearing to demonstrate the efficacy of I-131-CLR1404 (HOT) and CLR1404 (COLD), the non-radioactive and, at higher dose levels, Akt-inhibiting version of the same chemical structure, in a wide variety of human xenograft models. The cancer-targeting properties of these agents may minimize damage to normal cells and tissues, which would result in favorable therapeutic indices.
The novel phospholipid ether analog CLR1404 decreases glioblastoma stem cell proliferation, suppresses GBM growth, and improves survival (Abstract #3495) Dr. Weichert, John Kuo, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of the Department of Neurological Surgery, and their colleagues' presentation will describe data appearing to demonstrate the ability of CLR1404 (COLD) to selectively target human glioma stem cells, in vitro and in vivo, in addition to mature glioma cells and to inhibit their proliferation. Suppression of cancer stem cells could offer therapeutic advantages including fewer metastases and decreased probability of cancer relapse following treatment.
"We believe the data being presented at the AACR Annual Meeting collectively describe the ability of our optimized phospholipid ether analogs to selectively target cancer cells and cancer stem cells and also describe their underlying, lipid raft-based targeting mechanism," said Dr. Weichert. "We further believe the resulting array of clinical-stage PET-imaging and radiotherapeutic agents, as well as a preclinical-stage chemotherapeutic, has the potential to be a unique diapeutic approach to cancer diagnosis and therapy in a wide range of indications."
About the UW Carbone Cancer Center in MadisonThe University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center (UWCCC) is recognized throughout the nation as one of the leading innovators in cancer research, quality patient care and active community involvement. It is the only comprehensive cancer center, as designated by the National Cancer Institute, in Wisconsin. An integral part of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, the UWCCC unites physicians and scientists who work together in translating discoveries from research laboratories into new treatments that benefit cancer patients. To learn more about clinical studies and other initiatives, visit http://www.uwhealth.org/uw-carbone-cancer-center/for-researchers/uwccc/28373
About Novelos Therapeutics, Inc.We are a pharmaceutical company developing novel drugs for the treatment and diagnosis of cancer. Our three cancer-targeted compounds are selectively taken up and retained in cancer cells, including cancer stem cells, versus normal cells. Thus, our therapeutic compounds appear to directly kill cancer cells while minimizing harm to normal cells. This offers the potential for a paradigm shift in cancer therapy by providing efficacy versus all three major drivers of mortality in cancer: primary tumors, metastases and stem cell-based relapse. I-124-CLR1404 (LIGHT) is a small-molecule cancer-targeted PET imaging agent. We believe LIGHT has first-in-class potential and Phase 1-2 clinical trials are ongoing. I-131-CLR1404 (HOT) is a small-molecule, broad-spectrum, cancer-targeted molecular radiotherapeutic that delivers cytotoxic radiation directly and selectively to cancer cells and cancer stem cells. We believe HOT also has first-in-class potential. HOT Phase 1b dose-escalation trial is ongoing and we expect HOT to enter Phase 2 trials in the first quarter of 2013 as a monotherapy for solid tumors with significant unmet medical need, subject to additional funding. CLR1404 (COLD), a cancer-targeted non-radioactive chemotherapy, works primarily through Akt inhibition. We plan to file an IND for COLD in the first quarter of 2013, subject to additional funding. Together, we believe our compounds are able to "find, treat and follow" cancer anywhere in the body in a novel, effective and highly selective way. For additional information please visit http://www.novelos.com
Novelos Therapeutics, Inc. Madison, WI - Boston, MA This news release contains forward-looking statements. You can identify these statements by our use of words such as "may," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "estimate," "continue," "plans," or their negatives or cognates. Such statements are valid only as of today, and we disclaim any obligation to update this information. These statements are only estimates and predictions and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future experience and results to differ materially from the statements made. These statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations as to such future outcomes. Drug discovery and development involve a high degree of risk. Factors that might cause such a material difference include, among others, uncertainties related to the ability to attract and retain partners for our technologies, the identification of lead compounds, the successful preclinical development thereof, the completion of clinical trials, the FDA review process and other government regulation, our pharmaceutical collaborators' ability to successfully develop and commercialize drug candidates, competition from other pharmaceutical companies, product pricing and third-party reimbursement.
Here is the original post:
Novelos Therapeutics and Academic Collaborators Have Three Abstracts Accepted for Presentation at 2012 AACR Annual ...
PETS are complex creatures that deserve the same special care and attention as their human friends.
Contemporary pet care takes this approach by offering many of the same thorough treatments available to humans.
Leading the way is Forbes Street Vet Clinic, which has recently relocated to a new and larger purpose-built practice.
Owners Dr Lorraine Vella and Dr Bob Clippingdale said the new facilities would allow them to bring the best services to their clients.
''The end result is happier staff members, pets and owners,’’ Dr Vella said.
One of the interesting and valuable features of the new premises is the separate surgery and prep area and
cat and dog wards that promote the happiness of pets.
''The animals are much calmer with their own space,’’ Dr Vella said.
''Their mental health is very important to us.’’
There are also twice as many consultation rooms as before, which allows for easier access to vets.
Another fantastic feature is the extensive off-street parking.
Forbes Street Vet Clinic takes an innovative approach to pet care and extends it services beyond the
essentials.
Behavioura l consults allow clients to work with the vet to find long-term solutions.
''We treat behavioural issues like spraying cats and barking dogs,’’ Dr Vella said.
The clinic also offers ultrasound, radiography, internal medicine and stem cell therapy for arthritic patients.
Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractics and herbal medicine are also available.
Open day
What: Forbes Street Vet Clinic Open Day.
The friendly staff will be there to give you a tour of the new facilities and there will be plenty of children’s
entertainment including face painting and colour-ins.
Funds raised from the sausage sizzle will be donated to the dogs’ home.
When: March 4, 10.30am-2pm.
Further information: 6424 1675.
Read the original post:
On the leading edge
Las Vegas, Nevada (PRWEB) February 22, 2012
MediVet-America, the global leader in veterinary stem cell technology and regenerative medicine, has entered into a distribution partnership with Butler Schein Animal Health, a division of Henry Schein, the leading companion animal health distribution company in the U.S., to sell and distribute stem cell kits and equipment to veterinarians serving the nation’s fast-growing $50 billion pet industry.
The announcement was made today at the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas by Jeremy Delk, CEO of MediVet-America.
The two companies will partner to sell and distribute MediVet-America’s advanced stem cell technology to more than 26,000 veterinary clinics nationwide. Adult animal stem cell technology uses the body’s own regenerative healing power to help treat dogs, cats, horses and other animals suffering from painful arthritis, hip dysplasia and tendon, ligament and cartilage injuries and other ailments.
The Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Procedure Kit and state of the art equipment, co-developed with Medical Australia, enable veterinarians to remove a small sample of fat, separate the stem cells, then activate and inject them into affected areas.
“We are pleased to be teaming up with Butler Schein, the largest companion animal health distribution company in the nation,” said Delk. “Their strong track record in sales and distribution will further fuel our rapid growth and bring this breakthrough technology to more leading veterinary practices across the country.”
To introduce the distribution partnership, Delk said MediVet-America has developed an exclusive program of product and service offers that will be made available only to Butler Schein customers.
Veterinary practitioners in more than 200 markets throughout 42 states now perform the drug-free procedure entirely in their own clinics more quickly, effectively and economically than earlier generation animal stem cell therapy. MediVet-America’s new treatment, developed in Australia, is available in 26 countries worldwide.
“This exciting partnership will allow even more of our colleagues unparalleled access to MediVet-America’s superior technology, providing the most affordable and efficacious stem cell therapy in the industry,” said Mike Hutchinson, D.V.M., the world’s leading animal stem cell practitioner. Dr. Hutchinson, who has spoken around the world about stem cell therapy, most recently in Tokyo, has performed more than 300 procedures over the last 18 months in his practice near Pittsburgh, PA.
Partnering with the leading animal health manufacturers in the world, Butler Schein maintains an order-fill ratio greater than 98 percent, and is positioned to bring the broadest selection of veterinary products and strategic business solutions to veterinarians, including:
A comprehensive product offering for companion animal, equine and large animal practices including biologicals, diagnostics, nutritionals, parasiticides and pharmaceuticals Technology hardware and software solutions Capital equipment, supply products and repair services Practice design and remodeling, client marketing and financial solutions
Stem cells are basic biological cells with the ability to differentiate into specialized tissue cells and regenerate new cells to replace or repair damaged tissue. The stem cells used in veterinary medicine are not embryonic, which have attracted controversy over the years, but are taken from adipose (fat) tissue of the adult animal.
Americans spent an estimated $50.8 billion in 2011 on their companion animals, according to the American Pet Products Association, up from $28.5 billion in 2001. MediVet-America’s stem cell treatment costs about $1,800 for small animals, $2,400 for horses. Stem cells also can be frozen and banked for future use through MediVet Lab Services.
MEDIVET-AMERICA
A research and development company and global leader in veterinary stem cell technology, MediVet-America provides innovative cell applications for the therapeutic care of animals. Headquartered in Nicholasville, Kentucky, MediVet-America develops advanced cellular designed kits and services for the treatment of arthritis and degenerative joint disease. The company also offers MediVet Lab Services in multiple locations around the world that provides technical support for in-house stem cell vets, as well as regional and national Adipose stem cell processing and cryo banking services for pets at a young age or for a maintenance program, autologous conditioned serum processing, and cell counting for in-house stem cell procedures. http://www.MediVet-America.com
BUTLER SCHEIN ANIMAL HEALTH
Butler Schein Animal Health is the leading U.S. companion animal health distribution company. Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, the company operates through 18 distribution centers and 12 telecenters. Approximately 900 Butler Schein Animal Health team members, including 300 field sales representatives and 200 telesales and customer support representatives, serve animal health customers in all 50 states. http://www.ButlerShein.com
###
Go here to read the rest:
MediVet-America Partners With Butler Schein Animal Health to Distribute World's Leading Animal Stem Cell Technology to ...
Committed to funding the most innovative minds in the field of prostate cancer research, the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) expanded its global knowledge exchange in 2012 and will be expanding its research efforts in new countries later this year. A total of 15 competitive research grants have been awarded to-date in 2012, bringing the total of young investigators awarded to 89.
Young Investigator awards are designed to promote long-term careers in the field of prostate cancer by providing three year grants for transformational research focused on prostate cancer treatments to improve patient outcomes. Since 2007, PCF has invested more than $20 million in Young Investigator grants.
“PCF-supported young investigators have changed the scope of prostate cancer research, advancing treatment sciences and improving the lives of patients worldwide,” said Howard Soule, PhD, chief science officer and executive vice president of PCF. “It is with great pride and appreciation that PCF can now announce our young investigator program spans across six countries and 42 research institutes.”
Each Young Investigator recipient is awarded $225,000 over a three-year period. Funding is also matched dollar-for-dollar by each recipient’s research institution, making the total award worth $450,000. A total of 148 applicants applied for 2012 PCF Young Investigator funding and over 74 global professionals reviewed these applications, which addressed 29 specialized scientific areas within prostate cancer research.
Buoyed by PCF support and the research it enables, many funded researchers go on to win additional government and privately funded grants to help advance the field of prostate cancer research.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) is the world’s leading philanthropic organization funding and accelerating research. Founded in 1993, PCF has raised more than $475 million and provided funding to over 1,600 research projects at nearly 200 institutions in 15 countries around the world. PCF advocates for greater awareness of prostate cancer and more efficient investment of governmental research funds supporting transformational cancer research. Our efforts have helped produce a 20-fold increase in government funding for prostate cancer. More information about PCF can be found at pcf.org.
The 2012 Robbins Family – PCF Young Investigator Award
Tarek Bismar, MD
University of Calgary
Mentor: Peter Forsyth, MD
The two most common genomic aberrations in prostate cancer are the ERG gene rearrangements and PTEN deletion. TMPRSS2-ERG represents the most common form of ERG rearrangements. It is an aberration in the genome of prostate cancer cells created when two distinct genes, TMPRSS2 and ERG (found in two different regions of DNA), are shuffled around and erroneously juxtaposed. PTEN is a tumor suppressor gene (a gene that protects against cancer) and is often deleted from the DNA code of prostate cancer cells. Dr. Bismar’s work centers on identifying the molecular differences between prostate cancer cells that harbor these genetic alterations and prostate cancer cells that do not. To understand how TMPRSS2-ERG and PTEN deletion change the behavior of prostate cancer cells, Dr. Bismar compared the molecular profile of tissue samples from patients who were either positive or negative for the two genetic alterations. In his comparative analysis he has identified a list of genes that are either elevated or depleted in prostate cancers in relation to their TMPRSS2-ERG and PTEN status. So far, Dr. Bismar has discovered 5 novel, candidate prostate cancer biomarkers (a molecule that indicates a biological process or pathogenesis) that are discriminate benign tissue, from localized prostate cancer and lethal prostate cancer. Some of these genes may also represent new therapeutic targets for patients with prostate cancer. Dr. Bismar and his team are currently working on validating their findings in larger studies.
The 2012 Sternlicht Family Foundation – PCF Young Investigator Award
Dimple Chakravarty, PhD, DVM
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Mentor: Mark Rubin, MD
Androgens and Androgen Receptor (AR) fuel prostate cancer. Therefore, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is usually the preferred treatment modality. However, prostate tumors employ multiple alternate mechanisms to bypass the need for androgens or AR, progressing on the path to castration-resistance. Several recent studies in Dr. Mark Rubin’s laboratory and others have shown that prostate tumors express the Estrogen Receptor ? (ER?) at early onset of the disease. However, the role of ER? in prostate cancer still remains unclear. Dr. Dimple Chakravarthy proposes to study this ER?-lncRNA axis in prostate cancer. She will validate the relevance of ER? and ER?-regulated lncRNA as prognostic biomarkers of tumor progression and therapy response. Dr. Chakravarthy will also evaluate the therapeutic potential of knocking down lncRNAs using nanoparticles. She will test the combinatorial therapy with anti-androgens and anti-lncRNA medications to control prostate cancer growth and metastasis.
The 2012 John A. Moran – PCF Young Investigator Award
Junjie Feng, PhD
Wake Forest University
Mentor: Jiangfeng Xu, MD, PhD
Androgen Receptor (AR) mediates the action of the male hormones, androgens by binding to genomic DNA and regulating gene expression. The precise sites on the genome to which AR binds are called AR Response Elements (AREs) or AR binding sites. Recent reports have shown that approximately 1/3 of all known prostate cancer risk-associated genetic variants reside in these AR binding sites. Genetic variations that predispose a man to prostate cancer are usually found to be concentrated in the specific DNA regions to which AR binds. Other PCF-funded studies have shown that AR signaling is causally related to the formation and/or expression of recurrent oncogenic gene fusions (e.g. TMPRSS2-ERG), suggesting that altered AR signaling caused by inherited genetic changes may have a profound impact on the pathogenesis and progression of prostate cancer. To test this hypothesis, Dr. Junjie Feng proposes to 1) identify genome-wide AR binding sites and prostate cancer-specific fusion genes; 2) prostate cancer risk/aggressiveness-associated genetic variants that are located within AR binding sites, and 3) assess whether these genetic variants cause altered AR signaling and influence the formation and/or expression of fusion genes.
The 2012 Steve Wynn – PCF Young Investigator Award
Stephen Finn, MBBS, PhD
University of Dublin, Trinity College
Mentors: John O’Leary, MD, PhD and Lorelei Mucci, ScD, MPH
Genetic information flows from genes on DNA as follows: gene (DNA)-> RNA-> protein. RNAs, which are the products of DNA, either give rise to proteins (coding RNAs) or do not produce proteins (non-coding RNAs). However, these non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are functional molecules that perform specialized roles in the cell, such as regulation of gene expression. Recent reports have provided evidence for the role of small ncRNAs in the development and progression of prostate cancer. Dr. Stephen Finn proposes to identify the ncRNA repertoire associated with aggressive prostate cancer (defined by failure to respond to Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT); disease specific mortality etc.). Dr. Finn’s research will identify the role of ncRNAs in aggressive prostate cancer and correlate these to prostate cancer-specific outcome, laying the groundwork for the design of novel ncRNA-targeting therapeutics. These studies will also provide reliable biomarkers of aggressiveness which can help in patient stratification for therapy and more efficient disease monitoring.
The 2012 Lowell Milken – PCF Young Investigator Award
Terence Friedlander, MD
University of California, San Francisco
Mentors: Charles Ryan, MD and Pamela Paris, PhD
One of the medications used for androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the recently FDA-approved Abiraterone (Zytiga) which targets the biosynthesis of androgens in the adrenal glands and more importantly, in the tumor itself. Though patients respond well to Abiraterone and other ADT medications, almost all develop resistance to this therapy and their cancers progress. This stage of treatment resistance is termed castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). CRPC is hypothesized to develop due to either 1) the increased production of androgens by the tumor itself, or 2) mutations in the AR that make it independent of the presence/absence of androgens. Dr. Terence Friedlander proposes to investigate the specific genetic changes in prostate cancer cells that occur during the development and progression of castration resistance. During the course of these investigations, Dr. Friedlander will collect metastatic tumor biopsies and circulating tumor cells from patients to evaluate the precise mechanisms underlying Abiraterone resistance. A better understanding of the mechanisms that cause CRPC development will allow clinicians to optimize and sequence the new therapies available for the treatment of CRPC.
The 2012 Mortimer Sackler – PCF Young Investigator Award
Matthew Galsky, MD
Mt. Sinai School of Medicine
Mentors: William Oh, MD and Michael Ohlmeyer, PhD
The protein FOXO1 regulates cellular growth and survival pathways in normal cells. To effect its function, FOXO1 has to move from its location outside the nucleus (the cellular compartment that harbors the genome (DNA)) to inside the nucleus. Prostate cancer (PCa) cells, however, redirect the cellular localization of FOXO1 and sequester it outside of the nucleus, in its inactive form. Scientific approaches to relocalize FOXO1 to the nucleus represent a novel strategy for the treatment of prostate cancer, especially treatment resistant PCa. A group of chemical compounds called the tricyclic neuroleptics have previously been shown to inhibit the transport of FOXO1 proteins from the nucleus.
Under this PCF-funded study, Dr. Galsky will explore the anti-cancer effects and mechanism of action of these novel compounds in preclinical prostate cancer models. He will also study circulating tumor cells from castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients to identify suitable pharmacodynamic markers that can efficiently report the localization of FOXO1 in patient tumors. Dr. Galsky’s research will set the stage for early phase clinical trials of these experimental medications for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
The 2012 Leon and Debra Black – PCF Young Investigator Award
Kalpana Kannan, PhD
Baylor College of Medicine
Mentors: Laising Yen, PhD and Michael Ittman, MD, PhD Chimeric RNAs are the fused products of two different genes. Recent studies have shown that chimeric RNAs are present in normal cells and their presence allows the limited number of human genes to encode a substantially larger number of RNAs and proteins, forming an additional layer of cellular complexity. Dr. Kalpana Kannan and her team recently identified 27 novel, highly recurrent chimeric RNAs in prostate cancer. Their results showed that these chimeric RNAs occurred at a higher frequency in cancer compared to normal cells. These preliminary findings show that chimeric RNAs form a potentially unique class of molecular alterations in prostate cancer. She will also evaluate the significance of these chimeric RNAs in prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis. If validated, these chimeric RNAs will serve as useful biomarkers for the identification of prostate cancer subtypes. New therapeutic targets for advanced prostate cancer may also emerge from this work. Dr. Kannan proposes to study the biological significance and potential clinical applications of these recurrent RNAs in prostate cancer.
The 2012 Michael Milken – PCF Young Investigator Award
Stacey Kenfield, ScD
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard University
Mentors: June Chan, ScD and Meir Stampfer, MD Under the mentorship of Dr. Chan and Dr. Stampfer, Dr. Kenfield has evaluated whether diet and lifestyle factors after prostate cancer diagnosis are associated with disease progression in men with localized disease. This proposal is a natural extension of this work and will focus specifically on men with advanced and recurrent prostate cancer and whether diet and lifestyle factors can reduce risk of distant metastasis or prostate cancer-specific mortality. The ultimate goal of this work is to translate these results into cancer survivorship tools for the community. First, Dr. Kenfield will develop a prognostic score for prostate cancer mortality and other outcomes that will incorporate clinical, pathological, and lifestyle variables. The analyses will be performed in two large studies with extensive data available on lifestyle factors: the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and CaPSURE (Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor) and the findings could be important in guiding physician counseling of men with prostate cancer. Second, she will examine whether diet and other lifestyle factors may reduce progression in men with advanced or recurrent prostate cancer, which may elucidate strategies for reducing progression of disease. Third, she will build novel web-based cancer survivorship tools and use them in a clinical trial to determine if a web-based intervention program can help men with prostate cancer adopt healthier behaviors associated with reduced prostate cancer mortality. If successful, it could be administered efficiently in a variety of settings and scaled up to reach larger populations of men with prostate cancer.
The 2012 Steve Wynn – PCF Young Investigator Award
Hung-Ming Lam, PhD
University of Cincinnati
Mentor: Shuk-Mei Ho, PhD The protein G-protein coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) regulates several signaling pathways governing cell growth, migration, etc. In previous studies, Dr. Hung-Ming Lam has shown that the chemical compound G1 tightly binds GPR30 in highly selective manner and this G1-GPR30 complex inhibits the growth of prostate cancer cells. In this study, Dr. Lam proposes to evaluate the efficacy of GPR30 inhibition by G1 for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Previous studies have shown that the expression of GPR30 in cells shows an inverse correlation with the levels of androgens. The recently FDA-approved medication Abiraterone acetate (Zytiga) inhibits androgen synthesis. Dr. Lam proposes to evaluate combinatorial therapy with G1 and Abiraterone to treat prostate cancer in a two-pronged fashion: 1) delaying cancer relapse and the emergence of metastatic CRPC and, 2) extending the time to chemotherapy in patients with advanced cancer. Dr. Lam also aims to determine the levels of GPR30 before and after ADT in human specimens with bone and lymph node metastases. Her studies will help define a group of patients most suitable for GPR30-targeted therapy.
The 2012 John A. Moran – PCF Young Investigator Award
Heather Montie, PhD
Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College
Mentors: Diane Merry, PhD and Karen Knudsen, PhD Prostate cancer is driven by the male hormones, androgens which mediate their activity through the androgen receptor (AR). Unfortunately most prostate cancerous tumors progressively become resistant to the preferred treatment modality, androgen deprivation therapy. One of the mechanisms proposed to enhance the activity of androgen receptors in castration-resistant prostate cancer, even in the absence of androgens, is the addition of a small chemical group/moiety to the AR protein. This modification of AR is termed ‘acetylation’ and is proposed to convert the protein to a ‘super AR.’ However, there is currently no experimental data to show that AR acetylation directly enhances AR-dependent prostate cancer cell viability. Dr. Heather Montie proposes to evaluate the role of AR acetylation in the enhanced AR functional activity central to CRPC. She will study the precise mechanisms by which this modification of AR enhances its cancer-promoting activity. Dr. Montie will also validate the potential of AR acetylation as a therapeutic target for castrate-resistant prostate cancer.
The 2012 Lori Milken – PCF Young Investigator Award
David Mulholland, PhD
University of California, Los Angeles
Mentor: Hong Wu, MD, PhD The use of anti-androgens is standard treatment for prostate cancer patients in the management of PSA recurrence and metastatic disease. However, all men with metastatic prostate cancer become castrate resistant (CRPC) during which time conventional androgen deprivation therapy is no longer effective. This indicates that cancerous cells may become less reliant upon androgen or androgen receptor (AR) mediated signaling and more dependent upon alternative survival pathways either as a consequence of treatment or during the natural disease evolution.
Recent studies on stem cells in in vitro experimental systems have shown that the deletion of important housekeeping genes can give rise to castration-resistant prostate cancerous tumors. In an extension to these observations, Dr. Mulholland proposes to study whether stem/progenitor cells with tumorigenic capabilities may acquire independence from the androgen/AR signaling axis and whether such cells are a potential source of the initiation of prostate cancer or the progression of aggressive metastatic prostate cancer. The short term goal of this proposal is to ascertain whether cancer initiating cells with impaired AR function can reconstitute disease progression in a manner that is entirely autonomous from AR function. The long term goal is the identification of alternative survival pathways, and therefore relevant targets, for cancers that are non-responsive to anti-androgen therapy.
The 2012 Heritage Medical Research Institute – PCF Young Investigator Award
Paul Nguyen, MD
Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard University
Mentors: Anthony D’Amico, MD, PhD and Phillip Kantoff, MD One of the most pressing dilemmas in the care of patients with prostate cancer is the ability to distinguish indolent from aggressive disease. However, considering the complexity of the disease, it is important to note that no single marker or diagnostic modality will likely account for all of the variability in prostate cancer outcome. In this proposal, Dr. Nguyen proposes to combine multiple markers of disease outcome into a single prognostic model to achieve maximum predictive accuracy. The overall goal of Dr. Nguyen’s efforts is to identify and integrate underlying genetic differences (polymorphisms), serum biomarkers, imaging characteristics and novel clinical factors to enhance the predictive ability of the current tools. He will study prostate cancer patient blood and tissue samples to identify biological and clinical predictors of outcome. Dr. Nguyen’s research will potentially provide a single unified system that integrates multiple types of prognostic information. These results will ultimately allow patients to understand their risk of cancer recurrence with greater certainty, and make better treatment choices.
The 2012 Foundation 14 – PCF Young Investigator Award
Luke Selth, PhD
University of Adelaide, Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories
Mentor: Wayne Tilley, PhD
Androgen receptors mediate the action of the male sex hormone and fuel prostate cancer—which is why the primary treatment for prostate cancer is androgen deprivation therapy. Unfortunately, almost all patients develop resistance to ADT and their cancers resume growth despite hormone therapy. Recent research has revealed that highly active variants of AR rather than the normal AR protein may be the key drivers of CRPC and androgen receptor variants usually lack the ability to bind androgens. Therefore, androgen receptor variants (ARVs) can easily drive prostate cancer, even during ADT. Dr. Luke Selth proposes to study the molecular mechanisms by which AR variants initiate and drive CRPC. He will identify the precise genes activated by AR variants to promote CRPC. Dr. Selth will also determine the co-factors that regulate ARV-driven CRPC. Dr. Selth’s research will be a crucial next step in the development of strategies to counter the role of AR variants in CRPC development.
The 2012 Chris and Felicia Evensen – PCF Young Investigator Award
Karen Sfanos, PhD
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Mentors: Angelo DeMarzo, MD, PhD and William Nelson, MD, PhD The major risk factors for the development of prostate cancer are advanced age, family history, and African-American race; however, there is also a distinct geographic distribution to prostate cancer incidence, and an apparent increase in risk with the adoption of a “Westernized” lifestyle. Therefore, there is a high probability that prostate cancer development involves environmental factors in addition to hereditary factors. Two major environmental factors shown to have a strong linkage with prostate cancer are dietary carcinogens, and chronic infections that cause inflammation, which over time leads to the initiation of prostate cancer. Dr. Sfanos proposes to study the combined effects of dietary carcinogens and tumor-promoting inflammation in preliminary prostate cancer initiation and/or tumor progression.
The 2012 David A. Koch – PCF Young Investigator Award
Hans David Ulmert, MD, PhD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Mentor: Jason Lewis, PhD The androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway is a key component in the progression of prostate cancer to its lethal form, castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Several, recently developed, potent inhibitors of AR-signaling have shown encouraging, though highly variable responses in patients. One of the reasons for this inconsistent response is the biological heterogeneity of different cancerous lesions in the same patient. Therefore, documenting the response of individual tumor lesions to therapy is important for prostate cancer clinical management (e.g. understanding the overall patient therapeutic response; decision-making for dose escalation or designing therapy combinations that more completely suppress AR-signaling etc.). Dr. Ulmert aims to evaluate the efficiency of 89Zr-5A10-PET for measuring tumor response to next-generation androgen-deprivation therapeutics such as MDV3100 and Abiraterone. Dr. Ulmert also proposes to conduct first-in-man studies to determine if 89Zr-5A10 can detect CRPC.
If successful, this radiotracer (89Zr-5A10) will potentially be an important molecular imaging tool to definitively measure AR inhibition in individual tumor lesions in response to AR pathway-directed therapies. Since the complexities of metastatic CRPC still remain unclear, understanding the biology of responsive and resistant lesions could provide a clear rationale for the individualization of patient care, impacting decisions for dose escalation and/or combination therapy to completely suppress AR signaling.
View original post here:
Nearing Goal of 100 Young Investigators, the Prostate Cancer Foundation Expands Global Research Enterprise