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April 2014 • Vol. 4 • Issue 1
Oncology Kudos
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| Christopher Cogle, M.D. |
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Grant to help researchers find leukemia's hiding places
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society recently awarded Christopher Cogle, M.D., and his team a two-year, $800,000 grant to find compounds that interfere with cancer cells' ability to go into hiding. The return of a blood cancer, such as leukemia, after treatment is one of the biggest challenges patients and physicians face.
Read more
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| Sarah Boston, D.V.M., D.V.Sc. |
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UF veterinary oncologist captures real-life journey as cancer survivor in new book
Sarah Boston, D.V.M., D.V.Sc., associate professor of surgical oncology in the UF College of Veterinary Medicine's department of small animal clinical sciences, juxtaposes her experiences with human and veterinary medicine in her book titled “Lucky Dog: How Being a Veterinarian Saved my Life.” Boston offers insights and frustrations as a cancer patient and survivor in the book, which is expected to be released in June 2014.
Read more |
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| Meenakshi Devidas, Ph.D. |
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UF researcher appointed lead COG statistician
University of Florida biostatistician Meenakshi Devidas, Ph.D., has been named group statistician of the Children's Oncology Group, the world's largest organization devoted exclusively to pediatric cancer research. In her role as group statistician, Devidas supervises about 60 Children's Oncology Group faculty and staff.
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| Chen Ling, Ph.D. |
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Ling invited to serve as a member of the Cancer Gene & Cell
Therapy Committee
Chen Ling, Ph.D., assistant professor of pediatrics, was invited to serve as a member of the Cancer Gene & Cell Therapy Committee for the coming term, May 2014 to May 2017. This is his first national committee service.
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| Duane Mitchell, M.D., Ph.D. |
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Researcher receives funds for pediatric brain tumor research
University of Florida neurosurgery researcher Duane Mitchell, M.D., Ph.D., has received more than $500,000 toward his research in pediatric brain tumor immunotherapy from the Florida Brain Tumor Association and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure. Mitchell and his team of 10 researchers are using new approaches to treat tumors that use a patient's immune system to combat cancer alongside conventional treatments, such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
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| Folakemi Odedina, Ph.D. |
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Odedina delivers inaugural Barbara Terry Koroma Lecture
Folakemi Odedina, Ph.D., a joint professor of radiation oncology and pharmaceutical outcomes, gave the inaugural Barbara Terry Koroma Lecture at the Department of Defense on Dec. 4 in Frederick, Md. Dr. Barbara Terry-Koroma, who passed away in January of 2013, was the champion of establishing the prostate cancer disparity funding mechanism at DOD. Odedina was the first speaker of the lecture series.
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In The News
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State's top cancer programs unite to expand care
Orlando Health and University of Florida Health have joined forces to establish one of the state's largest, most comprehensive cancer programs as the number of cancer cases in Florida is rising. According to recent studies by the National Cancer Institute, Florida now has the second-largest cancer burden in America, and cancer has surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death in the Sunshine State.
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Proton therapy for prostate cancer results in long-term patient survival
Five years after having proton therapy for early- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer, 99 percent of men are living cancer-free and with excellent quality of life, according to a recent University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute study. Three-quarters of those with high-risk prostate cancer are also disease-free. The study adds to the body of evidence pointing to a significant role for proton therapy in the effective and efficient treatment of prostate cancer, said Nancy P. Mendenhall, M.D., lead author and medical director of the UF Proton Therapy Institute.
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| Christiana Shaw, M.D., M.S. |
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UF Health Breast Center recognized for excellence in patient care
The University of Florida Health Breast Center received reaccreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. The three-year reaccreditation is a continuation of accreditation earned in 2011 after a rigorous, 18-month program review and site visit. To become accredited and maintain accreditation, breast centers must demonstrate compliance with 24 standards leading to excellence in treating women diagnosed with the full spectrum of breast disease. The UF Health Breast Center is the only accredited breast center in North Central Florida.
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I-Chan Huang, Ph.D. |
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Study shows symptoms linked to poor quality of life in long-term childhood cancer survivors
Due to improved treatments and technologies, more children than ever are surviving cancer. Unfortunately, about 70 percent of these children experience late effects from their disease and treatment 30 years after their cancer diagnosis, which University of Florida Health researchers say significantly impact their quality of life. The next step, I-Chan Huang, Ph.D., noted, is developing a tool kit to help physicians use this information in practice to help cancer survivors improve their quality of life.
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"Handbook for Cancer Research in Africa" now available
The recently published “Handbook for Cancer Research in Africa,” co-authored by Folakemi Odedina, Ph.D., who holds joint appointments in the departments of radiation oncology and pharmaceutical outcomes, is the first volume to cover topics related to cancer research in Africa. This book is being made publicly available at no cost through the generous support of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer and the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa. Click here to download a PDF issue of the book.
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Clinical Trials
A Phase III Study of Chemotherapy With or Without Algenpantucel-L (HyperAcute®-Pancreas) Immunotherapy in Subjects with Borderline Resectable or Locally Advanced Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer (NLG 0505)
To assess overall survival after treatment with a regimen of FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel with or without algenpantucel-L immunotherapy in subjects who have borderline resectable or locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer.
Protocol No. NLG-0505
Principal Investigator:
Thomas George, M.D. |
A Multicenter Open-Label, Randomized Phase 1b/2, Study of the Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) Inhibitor, Ibrutinib, in Combination with Lenalidomide, with and without Rituximab in Subjects with Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Phase 1b:
• To determine the maximum tolerated doses (MTD) and the recommended Phase 2 (RP2) dose of ibrutinib in combination with lenalidomide and rituximab by dose escalation of lenalidomide in subjects with DLBCL.
• To determine the safety and tolerability of ibrutinib in combination
with lenalidomide and rituximab in subjects with DLBCL by dose
escalating lenalidomide.
Phase 2:
• To evaluate the efficacy of ibrutinib in combination with
lenalidomide with or without rituximab by assessing the overall
response in subjects with relapsed or refractory non-GCB DLBCL.
Protocol No. PCYC-1123-CA
Principal Investigator:
Nam Dang, M.D., Ph.D.
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A Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Open-label Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of Pomalidomide (POM), Bortezomib (BTZ) and Low-Dose Dexamethasone (LD-DEX) versus Bortezomib and Low-Dose Dexamethasone in Subjects with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma (MM)
The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of the combination of Pomalidomide, Bortezomib and Dexamethasone to the combination of Bortezomib and Dexamethasone in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. This study will also assess how safe the combination of Pomalidomide, Bortezomib and Dexamethasone is compared to the combination of Bortezomib and Dexamethasone.
Protocol No. CC-4047-MM-007
Principal Investigator: Jan Moreb, M.D. |
A Randomized Phase III Study of Standard Cytarabine plus Daunorubicin (7+3) Therapy or Idarubicin with High Dose Cytarabine (IA) versus IA with Vorinostat (IA+V) in Younger Patients with Previously Untreated Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
This randomized phase III trial studies cytarabine and daunorubicin hydrochloride or idarubicin and cytarabine with or without vorinostat to see how well they work in treating younger patients with previously untreated acute myeloid leukemia. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cytarabine, daunorubicin hydrochloride, idarubicin, and vorinostat, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or stopping them from dividing. Giving more than one drug (combination chemotherapy) and giving the drugs in different doses and in different combinations may kill more cancer cells. It is not yet known which combination chemotherapy is more effective in treating acute myeloid leukemia.
Protocol No. S1203
Principal Investigator: Jack Hsu, M.D. |
Phase 1, Traditional 3+3, trial of PO Sorafenib and Topotecan in Refractory or Recurrent Pediatric Solid Malignancies
Establish the recommended phase II dose of the combination of topotecan and sorafenib in children. This will be the maximum tolerated dose.
Protocol No. MCC-16963 (534-2012)
Principal Investigator: Joanne Lagmay, M.D. |
A Phase I Trial of Dose Escalation of Metformin in Combination with Vincristine, Irinotecan, and Temozolomide in Children with Relapsed or Refractory Solid Tumors
1.1.1 To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of metformin when
given in conjunction with VIT in children with refractory and relapsed
solid tumors.
1.1.2 To describe the pharmacokinetics of metformin in children with relapsed
malignancies receiving VIT combination chemotherapy.
Protocol No. MCC-16963 (534-2012)
Principal Investigator: Joanne Lagmay, M.D. |
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Mark Your Calendar!
Creative for Health: Arts and Writing Workshops for People Affected by Cancer
Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Criser Cancer Resource Center
1515 SW Archer Road
Room 1302
Paint, write poetry, dance, sing, and more with experienced, compassionate arts professionals in a fun, inviting, and supportive environment. More info
Free Oral Cancer Screening
Friday, April 18, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
UF Health Oral Medicine Clinic
1395 Center Drive
UF College of Dentistry,
1st Floor, Room D1-18
Find out if you're at risk at a free screening for oral cancers with dentists and ear, nose and throat specialists from UF Health. Information on oral, head and neck cancers and their prevention also will be provided. More info
Contact Us
Do you have a great story, or have you been honored with an award or had research accepted for publication? Let us know! We'll include it in the Cancer Connection eNews, which is distributed monthly to UF Health Cancer Center members and the faculty and staff of the center's multidisciplinary cancer programs during the fall and spring semesters. Send your news to:
Lindy Brounley
Communications Director
UF Health Cancer Center
Phone: 352-273-8013
E-mail: brounley@ufl.edu
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