News Briefs / July 2020
Clinical Trials Office staff present posters at AACI-CRI meeting
Staff from the Clinical Trials Office at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center presented posters at the Association of American Cancer Institutes Clinical Research Innovation (AACI CRI) conference. The meeting took place July 7-8 and was held virtually this year. Four posters were accepted:
- New employee orientation - Joining the 21st century: Fyalon Kerr, BA, CCRP
- Advising and Trial Guidance for Investigators: Lina Sego, BA, CCRP
- Sample Collection and Tracking Process for Multisite Investigator Initiated Trials: Amber Bauchle, BS, CCRP
- Training the Masses - Electronic Protocol Training: Jessica Norfleet, BS, CCRP
The abstracts and posters are available online.
Miles for Myeloma aims for the Myeloma Million with a virtual challenge
Miles for Myeloma has always been more than a bicycle ride. It has been about the camaraderie between Rafat Abonour, Ph.D., and a group of dedicated volunteers cycling to cure multiple myeloma.
Even though COVID-19 prevents an in-person ride or dinner this year, a virtual Miles for Myeloma will still allow us to work together to achieve a big goal in honor of myeloma research and enhanced patient care. This year, everyone can join the team to reach the Myeloma Million.
The Myeloma Million is a virtual challenge to combine dollars, donors and miles to reach one million. Patients and supporters can contribute miles to the one million goal by walking, running, jogging, cycling, swimming or rowing. Learn more and log miles online: www.cancer.iu.edu/m4m/million.
Additionally, beginning Monday, October 12, a virtual Myeloma Week will feature Myeloma MedTalk videos with research and clinical updates and will culminate with a live Q&A and celebration at 5 p.m. Saturday, October 17.
2019 Scientific Report now available
The 2019 IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center Scientific Report recently was mailed to all cancer center members and others. The report highlights the center’s impactful research from the past year as well as its new comprehensive designation. The report is also available online.
Dr. Espinoza-Gutarra is the first Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Alumni Award recipient
Manuel Espinoza-Gutarra, M.D., has been selected as the first Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Alumni Award recipient. The $10,000 award offers a current fellow funding for career enhancement. The award was created during the 40th anniversary celebration of the hematology/oncology fellowship program thanks to the collective generosity of former fellows.
Espinoza-Gutarra is planning to conduct an evaluation of the quality of cancer care primarily in breast, prostate and non-small cell lung cancers among the Latino patient population at Eskenazi Hospital. He will then be measuring concordance of care according to guidelines in the Hispanic versus non-Hispanic population. His mentors are David Haggstrom, M.D., and Susan Rawl, Ph.D.
Cancer center members in the news
Orschell- Christie Orschell, Ph.D., and Louis Pelus, Ph.D., are senior authors of "A Single Radioprotective Dose of Prostaglandin E2 Blocks Irradiation-Induced Apoptotic Signaling and Early Cycling of Hematopoietic Stem Cells," published in Stem Cell Reports.
- Mark Kelley, Ph.D., recently sublicensed his flagship compound, APX3330, to Ocuphire Pharma for promising trials related to diabetic ocular conditions. Last month, Ocuphire announced a major merger, which will open the combined company for public trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The merger paves a significant runway for trials that use APX3330, including active studies for the treatment of eye diseases, cancer and cancer-related complications.
- Bryan Schneider, M.D., and Mark Kelley, Ph.D., are among authors of "Prevention and Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Survivors of Adult Cancers: ASCO Guideline Update," published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.