ECU – Dr. Xin-Hua Hu was awarded $50,000 for his study developing a prostate cancer screening test using circulating tumor cells (CTCs) detected by diffraction imaging flow cytometer technology (light) – existing and proposed CTC detection involves “traps” like tiny brushes; this new project involves light scatter in cells that will show the type/grade of cancer. It uses prostate cancer since there is a large patient population in ECU’s region, but will be adaptable to most other cancers. ECU has filed for a patent on this procedure, and has a NC Bio-Tech Center grant to supplement the study.

DUKE – Dr. Jing Cai was awarded $70,000 for a study of motion management using 4D MRI for liver cancer in radiation therapy. Some areas of the body are difficult to treat with radiation since they move with normal breathing; therefore, the radiation field is necessarily larger than the tumor to make sure coverage includes not only all the tumor but acceptable margins as well. Without some means of adapting to the movement, more unaffected tissue is damaged, which can have adverse effects. This technology will enable radiation beams to follow tumor motion and allow a full dose of radiation to the tumor and margins only, minimizing collateral damage. Also significant is the fact that MRI has no radiation like the CT scans sometimes used for targeting purposes.

UNC – Drs. Ben Major and Neil Hayes were awarded $60,000 for their study defining “driver gene mutations” (the ones that go on to become cancerous) from among the 1,000’s of “passenger” gene mutations (those that are harmless) in individual cancer patients. There are many gene mutations, and many have nothing to do with a patient’s cancer; therefore, we need to find the ones that do versus those just hanging out – and then develop personalized therapies based on the functional role of these driver genes (e.g., the pathway to the target). This study uses lung cancer as a model, but should be adaptable to other cancers. (funding for this study is partially provided by the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Foundation)

WFU (two projects) – Dr. Leslie Poole was awarded $30,000 for a study entitled “Mitochondrial antioxidant proteins mediate cisplatin resistance in aggressive ovarian cancer cells”. Ovarian cancer is a difficult one to treat, since cisplatin, a common but highly toxic chemotherapy for this cancer, is extremely toxic, to the point that many patients have to have the dosage reduced because of the side effects. This, in turn, reduces the efficacy of the chemo. This study will hopefully lead to a reduction of side effects which will then allow an increase in the efficiency of the cisplatin, in effect enhancing the treatment.

Dr. Steven Akman was awarded $30,000 for his study of DHX36, a protein that appears to regulate telomere (found in all cells) length which, in turn, leads to malignancies. DHX36 is an oncoprotein present in 85% to 90% of all cancers and, if blocked, could lead to the disruption of cell growth and stop up to 90% of all cancers. This study has generated a great degree of excitement given its potential applicability in so many situations.