Research Newsletter | Oct. 2023

Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer raises $1.5M for IU breast cancer research

At the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer’s 2023 Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Classic fundraiser, the foundation announced a donation of $1,513,713 to support the Vera Bradley Foundation Center for Breast Cancer Research at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (read the news release). With this donation, the foundation has provided $40.1 million to IU breast cancer research since 2000. In 2022, the foundation pledged an additional $12.5 million to IU School of Medicine, bringing the non-profit’s total commitment to breast cancer research to $50 million.

Their generosity supports nearly 30 researchers as they make advances in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Thank you, Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer! 

The Cancer Letter highlights the unique work of the Komen Tissue Bank

The Cancer Letter caught up with the Komen Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center and the latest work it’s doing: collecting breast tissue from men. Read the article.

ICYMI: Men get breast cancer too: IU cancer center begins new research efforts to understand the rare disease.

In a gesture that continues their family’s long history of extraordinary generosity to Indiana University, Carmel residents W. Gerald and Diane Throgmartin have made a $1.5 million gift to support lung and prostate cancer research and cardiology research and education at Indiana University School of Medicine.

The Throgmartins’ generous gift will support four separate funds:

• The W. Gerald Throgmartin Prostate Cancer Research Fund honoring oncologist Nabil Adra, M.D. (EDT)
• The Betty Jo Throgmartin Lung Cancer Research Fund named for Gerald’s late wife honoring oncologist Nasser Hanna, M.D. (EDT)
• The Jackie O’Donnell Fellowship in Cardiac Transplantation honoring retired cardiologist Jackie O’Donnell, M.D.
• The Jeffrey Breall Fellowship in Interventional Cardiology honoring interventional cardiologist Jeffrey Breall, M.D., Ph.D.

The Throgmartins have a long history of generous support of Indiana University including endowing the HH Gregg Senior Chair in Oncology, which has been held by three successive cancer center directors. Since the cancer center’s inception, the Throgmartin family — who owned the HH Gregg electronics and appliances chain — has demonstrated gratitude for the expertise of Indiana University cancer and cardiovascular experts.

Alesha Arnold Legacy Award honorees announced

On Sept. 21, the Clinical Trials Office (CTO) dedicated a memorial wall to their colleague Alesha Arnold, who died earlier this year of lung cancer. Alesha’s generous cancer center colleagues came together to create the Alesha Arnold Legacy Fund, which makes the Alesha Arnold Legacy Award possible on an annual basis. The award recognizes CTO team members who embody Alesha’s dedication to and advocacy for cancer research.

The first two recipients of the Alesha Arnold Legacy Award were named during the event:

• Cheri West, Clinical Research Nurse
• Suzanne Bailey, Team Manager

As conference abstract submission deadlines approach, the Biostatistics and Data Management Core (BDMC) wants to remind investigators to submit data requests at least eight weeks in advance. The deadlines for submitting abstracts to the annual ASCO and ASTRO meetings are typically early to mid-February.BDMC’s standard policy is that requesters provide an eight-week notice to extract data from official databases, clean and verify data integrity, and produce statistical analyses. 

• BDMC tries to achieve all requested deadlines; however, a notice of less than eight weeks could be denied due to the impossibility of completion, given competing requests earlier in the queue, not enough time to produce accurate results on short notice, and personnel availability.
• Many people, including those from outside BDMC, are involved in preparing data for analyzing and reporting. For example, the QC process requires Q&A with the study team and CTO.

ASCO/ASTRO recommendation: For submission deadlines in early to mid-February 2024, it’s preferred that requests be sent in November or early December 2023.

Please note that numerous requests for abstracts and conferences occur during the same time each year. Additionally, BDMC needs to account for major holidays when many BDMC/CTO/Co-I study team personnel will be unavailable for possibly extended periods.

Remember that data will again be extracted from the official database and cleaned for analysis for the actual paper or conference presentation. Again, an eight-week notice is recommended.

Submit your biostatistical service request

Cancer center is now a MASCC-Designated Center of Excellence in Supportive Care in Cancer

The cancer center recently became a center of excellence in supportive oncology, certified through the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC). This designation recognizes centers that successfully integrate oncology and supportive care, uphold high standards, and maintain comprehensive supportive care services. Learn more.