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Cancer Center in the News

July 9 -- Sandra L. Wong, MD, is lead author on new Melanoma clinical practice guideline

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Society for Surgical Oncology (SSO) issued their first evidence-based clinical practice guideline on the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) to stage patients with newly diagnosed melanoma. Although SLNB has proven to be an important tool for determining prognosis and selecting treatment for many patients with melanoma, recent studies suggest that the procedure is inconsistently used. The new guideline recommendations, based on a review of all available evidence, are intended to clarify which patients should receive the procedure. Learn more by reading: New Guideline Provides Evidence-based Recommendations on Use of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Melanoma Staging in the United States.

June 18 -- Reshma Jagsi's research on gender pay gap receives national attention

Reshma Jagsi, M.D., D.Phil., associate professor of radiation oncology at the University of Michigan Medical School, along with Peter Ubel, M.D., professor at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and its Sanford School of Public Policy, released their comprehensive study on pay descrepancies, Male doctors make $12K more per year than female doctors. This study has received coverage nationwide: Reuters news service, Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, ABC News, CBS News, Detroit News and Reuters UK.

June 10 -- John Wei, M.D., quoted in Detroit Free Press article on prostate cancer urine test

Men who receive contradictory results on prostate cancer detection tests now have a new option to help them avoid repeat biopsies: the PCA3 urine test. This test, developed at the University of Michigan Comrehensive Cancer Center, helps men avoid unnecessary biopsies. Learn more by reading the Detroit Free Press article, Urine test may help men without prostate cancer avoid biopsies; or read the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center press release, New urine DNA test used with PSA can eliminate unnecessary biopsies and reduce fear of overtreatment.

June 7 -- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center: Leading the Way in Targeted Therapies Cancer Care

OncLive, the official Website for the Oncology Specialty Group, which publishes Oncology & Biotech News, Oncology Fellows, OncLive, OncLive Nursing, and Contemporary Oncology, featured the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center's the Ravitz Foundation Phase I /Translational Research Center and the stem cell research program. The article describes the many important advances in the treatment of cancer brought about by the creation of the Phase I / Translational Research Center and the stem cell research program. For more information, read University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center: Leading the Way in Targeted Therapies Cancer Care.

June 6 -- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center's research on benign brain tumors quoted in regard to Sheryl Crow's tumor diagnosis

Boston.com wrote about the connection between breast cancer and benign brain tumors in response to the news Sheryl Crow has been diagnosed with one. According to the article, "University of Michigan researchers reported about a case study in March on a woman with breast cancer whose meningioma regressed after she was treated with chemotherapy for the breast cancer. That might provide a new treatment option for those with tough-to-reach tumors since they typically don't respond to chemotherapy agents used for brain cancer." To learn more, please read, Sheryl Crow's benign brain tumor: why breast cancer increases risk.

May 18 -- Laurie McCauley's research on 'fertilizing' bone marrow receiving news coverage

Laurie McCauley, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry is principal investigator on the study which found a common chemotherapy drug before bone tumors took root actually fertilized the bone marrow, enabling cancer cells, once introduced, to seed and grow more easily. This important research has been covered by CBS News Detroit, on their web site: 'Fertilizing' Bone Marrow Helps Explain Why Some Cancer Spreads To Bones; and on AnnArbor.com: U-M researchers say common chemotherapy drug enables tumors in bone marrow.

May 4 -- UM lab reduces second surgeries for breast cancer

Crain's Detroit Business reported on the newly opened Pathology Lab, part of the East Ann Arbor Ambulatory Surgery Center. This is significant because "over the past several years, fewer patients are having mastectomies, or complete removal of one or more breasts. Consequently, there has been an increase in lumpectomies, which is the removal of cancerous tissue in one or more breasts [...] The new pathology lab at the university's surgery center allows surgeons to remove a cancerous breast tumor and a small area of tissue around it for immediate analysis." Read the entire article: UM lab reduces second surgeries for breast cancer.

April 4 -- Max Wicha, Director of the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center, is published in The Scientist

The article, "Are Cancer Stem Cells Ready for Prime Time?" argues "the cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis offers explanations for many of the frustrating failures of cancer therapy in the clinic. The resistance of CSCs to chemotherapy, radiation, and many targeted therapies, may explain why cancers come back after the tumor mass has been removed and the patient has gone into remission. As such, CSCs offer a new target for attack.

February 28 -- Jennifer Griggs, M.D.'s research quoted in Oncology Times

Jennifer Griggs, MD, Associate Professor of Hematology and Oncology and Director of the Breast Cancer Survivorship Program, was cited in "How Obesity Complicates Cancer Treatment," part of the February 25, 2012 edition of Oncology Times. The article outlines the issues for cancer patients who are also obese. Dr. Griggs' 2005 study on chemotherapy doses and breast cancer patients indicated many oncologists under-prescribe chemotherapy doses for patients. This was particularly dangerous for obese patients, who reported the lowest levels of toxicity from treatment.

February 28 -- Kara Milliron is quoted in Detroit Free Press article on genetic testing

Kara Milliron, genetic counselor in the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk Evaluation Program is quoted in the Detroit Free Press article, "Genetic testing can pinpoint disease, but knowing risks has drawbacks." The article focuses on the importance of genetic counseling as a means of prevention - not just for cancer but for other health conditions.

February 23 -- Michael Sabel, M.D., associate professor, is quoted in Men's Health

The article, "Muscle Away Cancer" quotes extensively from a study Dr. Sabel recently published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology. The conclusion of the study is strong muscles may decrease the odds of dying from cancer. Learn more by reading Patients' underlying health linked to worse outcomes for melanoma, U-M study finds

February 16 -- First-of-its-kind surgery helps cancer patient keep her voice

Douglas Chepeha, M.D., Associate Professor and Director of Microvascular Surgery, used part of a patient's shoulder blade to rebuild her voice box. The press release about this pioneering surgery has been picked up and quoted by USA Today, Detroit Free Press, AnnArbor.com, BeWellPhilly and numerous local television stations across the country.

January 3 -- Marwan Fakih, M.D., quoted in Detroit News article

The article, "Mother pegs hopes on chemo bath," described a procedure for rare cancers in which the abdomen is opened surgically and a machine pumps heated chemotherapy through the torso. This procedure, formerly known as Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy - or HIPEC, is still more experimental, since the research on outcomes has been performed by only one institution, thus far. Read Mother pegs hopes on chemo bath to learn more.

Dec. 6 -- Moshe Talpaz, M.D. to speak at a meeting hosted by ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

As reported by the Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, Reuters and CNBC; Moshe Talpaz, M.D., Associate Chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology and Associate Director of Translational Research at the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center, will be discussing interim data from the pivotal PACE trial of ponatinib, its investigational pan BCR-ABL inhibitor. Dr. Talpaz is an investigator in the PACE trial, as well as the Phase 1 trial of ponatinib. The PACE trial is being conducted in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia-chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) who are resistant or intolerant to nilotinib or dasatinib, two currently available CML therapies, or those who have the T315I mutation of BCR-ABL for which no current treatments are known to be effective.

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an emerging global oncology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of medicines to transform the lives of cancer patients.

Dec. 6 -- Laurel Northouse quoted in Free Press article on caregiver stress

Laurel Northouse, a professor at the U-M School of Nursing and codirector of the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center's Socio-Behavioral Program, was quoted in a recent Detroit Free Press article about the stress caregivers go through when caring for a loved one diagnosed with cancer -- or any other chronic condition.

Dec. 2 -- The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center is part of a new initiative launched by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and 21 urology practices throughout the state have created The Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative. The focus is on improving the quality of care for prostate cancer patients. In particular, it will look at reducing unnecessary testing for men with low-risk cancers, and how to provide more appropriate treatment for men with high-risk cancers. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has provided the press release "Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and 21 urology practices work to improve care of patients with prostate cancer across state" for those who want to learn more.

Nov. 13 -- Max Wicha, Director of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, honored at CRUSH on Birmingham

The fourth annual CRUSH Birmingham, to benefit the Children's Leukemia Foundation of Michigan (CLF), was the culmination of an entire series of fundraisers leading up to the biggie - the 2011 CRUSH Wine and Food Classic, held at the Townsend Hotel. During this event, Max Wicha, M.D., received the CLF's newest award: the Pioneers in Medicine Award. Learn more by reading the Birmingham Observer & Eccentric article.

Nov. 11 -- Creating an Effort Tracking Tool to Improve Therapeutic Cancer Clinical Trials Workload Management and Budgeting

Several members of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center's Clinical Trials Office, including manager Linda Beekman, R.N. and the Cancer Center's administrator, Marcy Waldinger, published a paper on the efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the work processes within the Clinical Trials Office. Learn more by reading "Creating an Effort Tracking Tool to Improve Therapeutic Cancer Clinical Trials Workload Management and Budgeting" in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network®.

Oct. 26 -- Ann Arbor Journal profiles the University of Michigan's Breast Cancer Advisory & Advocacy Committee

Members of the University of Michigan's Breast Cancer Advisory & Advocacy Committee spoke to Michell Helms of the Ann Arbor Journal about their goal to put an end to breast cancer. As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the group opened its monthly meeting at U of M's Cancer Center Oct. 19 to the A2 Journal to explain who they are, what they do, and how they are advancing their cause. Learn more about the group by reading "Advocates have an agenda to banish breast cancer (with video)".

Oct. 25 -- Ginger Root Supplement Reduced Colon Inflammation Markers release cited on MSNBC

Suzanna M. Zick, N.D., M.P.H., a research assistant professor at the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center, released findings indicating ginger supplements reduce colon inflammation and this may, in turn, help prevent colon cancer. Dr. Zick and her study were reported on MSNBC. View the video.

Oct. 25 -- Michael Sabel, MD, quoted in AARP article

Michael Sabel, MD, associate professor of surgery and U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center researcher, released a study examining whether underlying health made a difference in their outcomes post-melanoma treatment. The study and its results were quoted in " Underlying Health Affects Melanoma" on the AARP website.

Oct. 25 -- University of Michigan Oncologist Receives Breast Cancer Research Foundation Grant for Work with Tumor Markers Funding made possible through the support of Eisai Inc.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) announced today that it has awarded a research grant to Daniel F. Hayes, MD, Director of the Breast Oncology Program at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, for his work on behalf of the North American Breast Cancer Group (NABCG). Read about this on CNBC.com.

Oct. 20 -- The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Welcomes Prestigious New Members

Diane Simeone, M.D., Director of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center's Pancreatic Cancer Research Program, was one of several new members added to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's Scientific Advisory Board. The role of the Scientific Advisory Board is essential as the organization works to double the survival rate for pancreatic cancer patients by 2020. Currently, the five year survival rate is just six percent and has remained largely unchanged in the last 40 years because early detection tools and effective treatments have yet to be developed. The Scientific Advisory Board provides advice, scientific expertise, and leadership to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network with regards to the research and scientific program goals and initiatives of the organization.

Sep. 29 -- Dr. Fagerlin in US News & World Report

Angie Fagerlin, Ph.D., Socio-Behavioral/Breast Oncology, is quoted in US News & World Report about her recent study that advised cancer patients to ask their doctors to use simple terms. The news article provides a list of tips to help patients get the information they need to make informed decisions.

Sep 26 -- Max Wicha, MD, quoted in Prevention Article

Max Wicha, MD, Director of the UM Comprehensive Cancer Center, is quoted in "A Breast Cancer Cure?" The article which appeared in the on-line version of Prevention magazine, discusses the latest on breast cancer research. In particlar, what causes breast cancer initially, what can be done to prevent recurrence of it and how can women determine their overall risk factors for the disease.

Sep 23 -- Work with blood cancers noted in AnnArbor.com column

Betsy de Parry, columnist for AnnArbor.com, discussed the work of several U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers in her article, "Studying blood cancers has helped unlock mysteries of disease, paved the way to better treatments. Dr. Mark Kaminski's work developing radioimmunotherapy (RIT) for non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients was highlighted, noting that it helped open the doors to using our own immune system to fight cancer. Dr. Max Wicha's work with breast cancer stem cells was also mentioned, noting that his discovery of them validated the search for other types of cancer stem cells. Since his discovery, stem cells have been discovered in brain, prostate, colon, pancreas and others.

Sep 14 -- Dr. Wicha featured in Cure

A feature story in this week's Cure featured Dr. Wicha's research. In particular, the focus of the article, "Unlocking the Mystery of Cancer Stem Cells" was on his work with breast cancer stem cells.