In the Spotlight - Cavenee Awarded Albert Szent Györgyi Prize
2007 ACS-IRG Call for Proposal
High Praise for Smokers' Helpline
Radiation Oncology has New Web Site
Membership Grows – Meet Them
Web Beat
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month
Ask the CIS
Celebrating a New Year – Past to Present

In the Spotlight - Cavenee Awarded Albert Szent Györgyi Prize
The National Foundation for Cancer Research announced this week that
Webster K. Cavenee, Ph.D., has been awarded the 2nd Annual Albert Szent-Györgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research. Cavenee is Director of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, San Diego Branch, and Professor of Medicine at UCSD.   He is also a member of the Cancer Center's Senior Leadership Council.  Cavenee won the prize for his  groundbreaking discoveries regarding the genetic mechanisms of predisposition to human cancer. His research provided the first genetic evidence for the existence of tumor suppressor genes, one of the most influential breakthroughs in cancer research. 

“Dr. Cavenee is a pioneer in the truest sense of the word. His research on tumor suppressor genes has not only advanced our understanding of cancer, but it also has provided valuable insight in the role that hereditary predisposition plays into developing cancer,” said Dr. Harold Dvorak of Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital and Chair of the Szent-Györgyi Prize Selection Committee. His discoveries have helped to pave the way for researchers to better break down cancer's complicated molecular structures and understand the role that tumor suppressor genes play in cancer growth and development.  Today, because of Cavenee's work, mutations of tumor suppressor genes have been identified in more than half of all tumors, including those of muscle, melanocytes, kidney, prostate, and breast.

This annual Prize recognizes outstanding scientific achievement in the war against cancer and to honor pioneering scientists who have made extraordinary contributions in the field of cancer research.  It is designed to draw attention to the continued need to support basic cancer research and the role that it plays in new cancer therapies.  A $25,000 honorarium is included with this recognition.

2007 ACS-IRG Call for Proposal
The Cancer Center is offering up to $30,000 each for one year pilot projects.  Eligible investigators are within 8 years of their first faculty appointment and have no national peer review research funding.  Foundation support and NIH K series support is acceptable, and successful projects will clearly demonstrate relevance of the work to cancer.  Deadline for submission is Friday, Feb. 2, and is facilitated through the Center's online application process.    Because this is an intramural grant, no internal routing or signatures are required and no indirect costs are factored – all funds apply directly to the outlined research.  The RFA and eligibility, budgetary, and scientific criteria are available for review at:
                                       http://cancer.ucsd.edu/AboutUs/AdminServices/grants-in-aid.asp

The forms package is accessed by setting up an individual account, as instructed at the site.  Following review by an internal faculty committee, up to four awards will be made, effective March, 2007. 

High Praise for Smokers' Helpline
The California Smokers' Helpline was highlighted in Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's 10-page summary of his proposed health care reforms presented on Jan. 8:

"Continuing the battle against tobacco use: Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in California. California has led the nation in effective smoking control activities, achieving the second lowest rate of smoking among adults in the nation. Still, an estimated 3.8 million adults and 200,000 youth smoke. California can maintain its leadership role in tobacco control and further reduce smoking rates by increasing access to cessation services offered through the highly effective California Smokers' Helpline and maximizing utilization of cessation benefits."

Congratulations to our smoking cessation team! 

Since its inception in August 1992, the California Smokers' Helpline has served over 350,000 Californians, significantly improving lives.  As one of the first of its kind in the U.S., the California Smokers' Helpline has seen its program replicated in many other states and overseas.  It has grown to meet the needs of a diverse population in California, and is now offering assistance in six languages and a specialized TDD line for hearing impaired individuals. 
                                                         Full Text of the Budget

Radiation Oncology has New Web Site
Major specialized cancer services are offered through the Radiation Oncology Department at our Center.  Headed by Arno J. Mundt, M.D., Professor and Chair, the department offers advanced treatments for adults and children, some of which can only be found here.  Now, Radiation Oncology has a very helpful web site.

It is a great opportunity to learn about their mission, treatments, clinical trial opportunities, review frequently asked questions and a “What's New” section, and down load educational brochures for patients.  You can even meet the team and take a virtual tour through their suite!  “The site helps us reach further into the community,” says Mundt.  “We strive to prepare patients and their loved ones for that first walk through our front door.  It's the least we can do, and I think our site helps us achieve this goal.” 

Membership Grows – Meet Them
There are now 330 faculty members of the Cancer Center, representing 24 UCSD departments and 9 institutional affiliations.  Membership was deferred during our core grant preparation in 2006, and the following members have since been approved:

Jack D. Bui, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Dept. of Radiology Program:  Cancer Biology Dr. Bui's laboratory is interested in how the innate immune system recognizes developing tumor cells. (Research Summary)
Joyce A. de Beyer, Dphil Associate Professor Dept. of Family & Preventive Medicine Program:  Cancer Prevention & Control Dr. de Beyer's research interest is in tobacco control, with a particular focus on policies to reduce tobacco use in low and middle-income countries. (Research Summary)
William Eckelman, Ph.D. Professor Dept. of Radiology Program:  Tumor Growth, Invasion & Metastasis Dr. Eckelman is interested in 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals.  He developed the 'instant kits' which became the basis for all subsequent 99mTc radiopharmaceutical kits. (Research Summary)
Gabriel G. Haddad, M.D. Professor and Chair Dept. of Pediatrics Program:  Cancer Biology The overall interest of Dr. Haddad's laboratory is the effect of low oxygen or hypoxia on cell function and development.  (Research Summary)
	Trey Ideker, Ph.D. Associate Professor Dept. of Bioengineering Program:  Cancer Genetics Dr. Ideker's research focuses on using genome-scale measurements to construct computer-aided models of cellular processes and disease. (Research Summary)
Colin Jamora, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Dept. of Biological Sciences Program:  Cancer Biology Dr. Jamora investigates the mechanisms governing organ formation and regeneration using the mouse skin and hair as a model system. (Research Summary)
	Barbara J. Jung, M.D. Assistant Professor Dept. of Medicine Program:  Tumor Growth, Invasion & Metastasis Dr. Jung's current focus is to decipher the mechanism of activin (ACVR2) loss in colon cancer. (Research Summary)
Amy A. Kiger, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Dept. of Biological Sciences Program:  Cancer Genetics Dr. Kiger and her colleagues are currently investigating the mechanisms of phosphoinositide pathways mediated by conserved myotubularin phosphatases important in development and disease. (Research Summary)
	Richard L. Klemke, Ph.D. Professor Dept. of Pathology Program:  Tumor Growth, Invasion & Metastasis The Klemke laboratory is investigating how signaling networks regulate cell migration, cancer metastasis, and angiogenesis. (Research Summary)
Desheng Lu, M.D., Ph.D. Assistant Project Scientist Cancer Center Program:  Hematologic Malignancies Dr. Lu and his colleagues have demonstrated that Wnt/beta-catenin signaling cascade is constitutively activated in CLL cells, but not in normal lymphocytes. (Research Summary)
	Xin Lu, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Dept. of Family & Preventive Medicine Program:  Cancer Biology Dr.Lu's research has been focused on computational biology methodologies and their application in high dimensional microarray and proteomics data analyses applied in cancer biology research. (Research Summary)
Arno J. Mundt, M.D. Professor and Chair Dept. of Radiation Oncology Program:  Tumor Growth, Invasion & Metastasis Dr. Mundt specializes in tumors of the female reproductive system, central nervous system and soft tissues. (Research Summary)
J. Kellogg Parsons, M.D., MHS Assistant Professor Dept. of Surgery Program:  Cancer Prevention & Control Dr. Parsons is focused on the epidemiology, prevention, and treatment of prostate cancer.  (Research Summary)
Piyush Patel, M.D. Professor Dept. of Anesthesiology Program:  Cancer Symptom Control The primary focus of Dr. Patel's research is ischemic preconditioning of neurons.   (Research Summary)
	David Perkins, M.D. Professor Depts. of Medicine and Surgery Program:  Cancer Genetics Dr. Perkins and his colleagues have been interested in understanding the systems biology of immunity using analyses of global gene expression.  (Research Summary)
Steven C. Rose, M.D. Professor Dept. of Radiology Program:  Tumor Growth, Invasion & Metastasis Dr. Rose's clinical practice is heavily weighted toward regional treatment, such as transarterial chemoembolization or selective internal radiation therapy of liver cancers.  (Research Summary)
	Michael Rosenblatt, D.O., MPH Assistant Professor Dept. of Family & Preventive Medicine Program:  Cancer Symptom Control As a family and preventive medicine physician in Chula Vista, Dr. Rosenblatt is interested in doing clinical research that specifically focuses on underserved populations. (Research Summary)
Richard B. Schwab, M.D. Assistant Clinical Professor Dept. of Medicine Program:  Tumor Growth, Invasion & Metastasis Dr. Schwab has several translational research interests, one of which focuses on identifying biomarkers of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug activity in breast and prostate cancer.  (Research Summary)
	Mark A. Talamini, M.D. Professor and Chair Dept. of Surgery Program:  Tumor Growth, Invasion & Metastasis Dr. Talamini maintains an active surgical practice focusing on gastrointestinal surgery (particularly inflammatory bowel disease) with a particular emphasis on the use of minimally invasive technology to minimize pain and scarring. (Research Summary)
Laurent Taupenot, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Dept. of Medicine Program:  Cancer Biology Dr. Taupenot's laboratory is focused on the biology and the pathobiology of chromogranin A (CgA), a member of the granin family of regulated secretory proteins distributed in secretory granules of endocrine, neuroendocrine and neuronal cells. (Research Summary)
	Jing Yang, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Dept. of Pharmacology Program:  Cancer Biology Dr. Yang's laboratory is using functional genomics, cellular and molecular biology approaches in cell culture, and mouse tumor models to uncover the genes and the signaling pathways responsible for tumor metastasis. (Research Summary)
Benjamin Yu, M.D., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Dept. of Medicine Program:  Cancer Biology Dr. Yu's lab studies how antagonists of receptor tyrosine kinase signals, called Sprouty genes, regulate cellular processes in the skin and in cancers of the skin, such as squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. (Research Summary)

Web Beat

• Recently approved by the NCI, the Cancer Center Research Programs have been reorganized to feature new areas of focus.  Existing programs include:  Cancer Biology, Cancer Genetics, Cancer Prevention & Control, and Cancer Symptom Control.  New programs are:  Hematological Malignancies, Reducing Cancer Disparities, and Tumor Growth, Invasion and Metastasis.  Visit the site to read more:  http://cancer.ucsd.edu/Research/index.asp
  
• The Fall 2006 issue of “Staying Healthy,” with a special emphasis on prostate cancer, is now available: http://cancer.ucsd.edu/Outreach/PublicEducation/Staying_Healthy.asp
  
• Federal, State, UCSD and Foundation grant opportunities for 2007 are now updated at:  http://cancer.ucsd.edu/Research/funding_opps.asp#nci
  

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month
This should alert women who have not had a Pap test in five or more years and those who have never had a Pap test to contact their healthcare provider and schedule their test today.

Nationally, 9,710 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year and 3,700 women will die from it.  Risk factors for cervical cancer include the following:

• Multiple sex partners
• Sex at an early age
• Sex partner that has had multiple sex partners
• HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infection

In June 2006, the FDA approved Gardasil, a new vaccine designed to prevent infection from four types HPV. Two of these types, 16 and 18, can cause cervical cancer. The vaccine is recommended for 11- and 12-year-old girls and can be given from the ages of 9 to 26.

Cervical cancer is almost totally preventable because pre-cancerous stages are detected and treated during routine screenings with Pap tests. An annual pelvic exam and regular Pap test for all women should start about three years after first sexual activity, or no later than 21 years of age. This is necessary even if you have received the HPV vaccination. See more from the NCI's Ask the CIS below.

Ask the CIS

Celebrating a New Year – Past to Present
Early weeks of January finds us wishing our friends and colleagues "Happy New Year."  Do you know that New Year's Day in modern America was not always January 1?

Celebrating the new year is the oldest of all holidays, and was first observed 4000 years ago in ancient Babylon.  In the years around 2000 BC, although this culture had no written calendar, Babylonians celebrated the beginning of a new year on what is now March 23.  Their party continued for 11 days, each day having its own particular celebration.   March actually makes logical sense for the beginning of a new year – the time when spring begins and new crops are planted. January 1 has no astronomical or agricultural significance, and is purely arbitrary.

The Romans continued to observe the new year on March 23, but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so that the calendar soon became out of synchronization with the sun.  

In 153 BC, in order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate declared January 1 to be the beginning of the new year. Although in the first centuries AD the Romans continued celebrating the new year, these festivities were condemned as paganism by the early Catholic Church, which continued during the Middle Ages. January 1 has been celebrated as a holiday by Western nations for only the past 400 years.

Other traditions of the season include the making of New Year's resolutions, which also dates back to the early Babylonians. Popular modern resolutions might include the promise to lose weight or quit smoking.  The early Babylonians' most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment.

Whether you are trying to make some New Year changes or your resolution is never to make them, we wish you a happy and prosperous 2007!