News:
Tulane University's main
newsroom
Tulane Cancer Center
calendar,
contacts, faculty,
links, and
homepage.
Contacts:
Prescott L. Deininger, Ph.D.
Interim Director, Tulane Cancer Center
Marguerite Main Zimmerman Chair in Basic Cancer Research
Professor of Epidemiology
Adjunct Professor of Biochemistry, Pathology, and Human Genetics
Interim Co-Director, Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium
TCC Program Member
pdeinin@tulane.edu
(504) 988-6385, fax (504) 988-5516
1430 Tulane Ave., Box SL-66, New Orleans, LA 70112-2699
Laboratory homepage: http://129.81.225.52
Homepage on the Epidemiology website:
http://www.epidemiology.tulane.edu/epi_pages/faculty/deininger.html
A Message from the Director of the Tulane Cancer Center
Biographical sketch and selected publications
Melanie N. Cross
Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator,
Tulane Cancer Center
(504) 988-6592
mcross@tulane.edu
Michael Strecker
Director of Public Relations
Tulane University
(504) 865-5210
mstreck@tulane.edu
Press releases:
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April 21, 2006
"Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Grant Aids Rebuilding of Tulane's Bone Marrow Transplant Program"
Tulane Cancer Center's Bone Marrow Transplant Program received $230,000 from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Hurricane Katrina Relief Program.
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December 1, 2005
"Biotechnology Bounces Back in New Orleans"
News on the post-hurricane resumption of the renovation of the building at 1441 Canal St. which will house the New Orleans BioInnovation Center and the Louisiana Gene Therapy Research Consortium
Full text of press release...
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November 28, 2005
"Tulane, Xavier Partner to Address Racial Disparities in Cancer Outcomes"
Tulane University and Xavier University of Louisiana were recently
awarded a $1.4 million planning grant by the National Cancer Institute to develop
collaborative biomedical research and educational programs focusing on
racial disparities in cancer outcomes. The Tulane Cancer Center's director,
Roy S. Weiner, M.D.,
is co-principal investigator; and
Tulane Cancer Center researchers
Steven M. Hill, Ph.D., and
Thomas E. Wiese, Ph.D., are
joint program managers.
Full text of press release...
See also: abstract of the P-20 grant.
See also: Times-Picayune article on this grant.
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November 10, 2005
"Tulane Cancer Center Comprehensive Clinic Resumes Operations in Covington, Louisiana"
The physicians and staff of the
Tulane Cancer Center Comprehensive Clinic are pleased to welcome our patients back
to our new location at Lakeview Regional Medical Center in Covington, Louisiana. Tulane Cancer Center at Lakeview
offers the same comprehensive services at a convenient location -- just over the
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway on the North Shore
of Lake Pontchartrain at the Fairway Drive exit off U.S. 190 -- with plenty of free parking. Contact your physicians
for advice and appointments by calling (985) 867-4185.
(See also: article in New Wave, October 18, 2005)
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July 15, 2005
"Tulane Pioneers Novel Ovarian Cancer Treatment"
Tulane Battles Friendly Fire in Cancer Fight
Tulane Cancer Center researcher Tyler J. Curiel, M.D., M.P.H. is conducting a clinical trial on the treatment of ovarian cancer with Ontak. The research (supported by a grant from the NCI) is discussed in a recent article in the journal Nature Medicine. Co-investigators for the Ontak trial for advanced ovarian cancer include Tulane Cancer Center researchers Weiping Zou, M.D., Ph.D., Brian Barnett, M.D., Melissa Brammer, M.D. and Joan Cheng, M.D..) "This study will test the hypothesis that Ontak improves tumor immunity by killing regulatory T cells (Tregs) in patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer," says Dr. Curiel. "When a patient has cancer, some of the immune cells in the body begin to kill the body's tumor-killing immune cells instead of killing the tumor. So it's like friendly fire -- soldiers, instead of going out and shooting the enemy, shoot their own soldiers instead" ... Thus, killing Treg cells may help treat cancer, Dr. Curiel says.
Citation: Curiel TJ, Coukos G, Zou L, Alvarez X, Cheng PC, Mottram P, Evdemon-Hogan M, Conejo-Garcia JR, Zhang L, Burow M, Zhu Y, Wei S, Daniel B, Gordon A, Myers L, Disis ML, Knuston K, Lackner A, Chen L, Zou W. Specific recruitment of regulatory T cells in ovarian carcinoma fosters immune privilege and predicts reduced survival. Nature Medicine 10(9):942-949 (2004)
For more information about the Ontak ovarian cancer study, contact Susan Sarver, Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, (504) 988-8840.
See also: complete list of current clinical trials at Tulane .
Full text of press release...
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July 1, 2005
"Congratulations to Tulane Cancer Center's Recipients of the American Cancer Society's 2005 Spirit Awards"
Three of the 12 individuals chosen to receive this year's American Cancer Society "Spirit Award" are Tulane Cancer Center nominees:
The American Cancer Society's annual Spirit Award recognizes area physicians, cancer survivors and other members of our community who have made significant contributions to the fight against cancer. Selection criteria for the award include:
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Individuals who are among the top in their field due to their education, experience, community service and commitment to a high level of patient care.
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Individuals who are highly dedicated to their hospital, patients, and staff.
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Individuals who attend cancer committee meetings regularly, are involved in community outreach and are American Cancer Society advocates.
Drs. Pearman and Santos and Ms. Candiff will be formally presented with their awards at the American Cancer Society's Annual Hope Gala, to be held on Saturday, August 20, 2005, at The Shops at Canal Place, 7:30 - 11:00 p.m.
See also: Tulane's 2004 Spirit Award honorees
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July 8, 2005
"Tulane Researcher Named Editor of International Journal"
Tulane Cancer Center researcher Preston A. Marx, Ph.D. is the new editor of the Journal of Medical Primatology, an internationally renowned publisher of primate research, including animal care, viral diseases common to both humans and non-human primates and surgery. Marx has 20 years of experience in primate research and research into the origins of HIV. He is chair of the division of microbiology at the Tulane National Primate Research Center.
Full text of press release...
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June 23, 2005
"Tulane Auxiliary Supports Early Career Faculty"
The Tulane University Health Sciences Center Auxiliary, using funds generated through the gift shop and espresso bar in the Tulane University Hospital and Clinic, has endowed four early career faculty members with Excellence in Research and Teaching Awards. Tulane Cancer Center researcher Frank E. Jones, Ph.D., is the first recipient of the Endowment for Excellence in Teaching in the School of Medicine. Jones designed the "Foundations in Human Molecular and Cellular Biology," course. Dr. Jones received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)to research the potential of a gene receptor to act as a cancer suppressor. An absence of this gene receptor, which occurs naturally on the surface of breast cells, has been associated with breast cancer progression and more aggressive spread of the cancer.
Full text of press release...
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June 20, 2005
"Humanism in Medicine Award"
Tulane Cancer Center researcher Tyler J. Curiel, M.D. received the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award presented by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation. The award recognizes a physician faculty member who has demonstrated and promoted the integration of humanism and delivery of care to patients and their families in an exemplary fashion. In 2004 this award went to Tulane Cancer Center research Ralph L. Corsetti, M.D.
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May 18, 2005
"How Green Tea Protects Against Cancer"
A new study based in part on thesis research produced by Christine Palermo, who is now a post-doctoral associate at Tulane University, reveals how green tea protects people against certain forms of cancer. To read more visit
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=24496
Citation:
Palermo CM, Westlake CA, Gasiewicz TA. Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits aryl hydrocarbon receptor gene transcription through an indirect mechanism involving binding to a 90 kDa heat shock protein. Biochemistry Apr 5;44(13):5041-52 (2005)
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May 13, 2005
"Local Research Marathon to Address Women's Health"
Cutting edge, local research in women's health topics such as heart disease risk perception, sexually transmitted diseases and infant health will be on the agenda Monday, May 16 at the Annual Tulane Women's Health Research Marathon .... Michael Hagensee, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Louisiana State University, specializes in the immunology and structure of Human Papillomaviruses (HPV), a common sexually transmitted disease that causes genital warts and is thought to put women at risk for cervical cancer. Hagensee will be presenting "Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Genotypes in Women from Three Clinical Settings." The program is sponsored by the Tulane University Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health Program and the Tulane Xavier National Center of Excellence in Women's Health and will take place Monday May 16 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1324 Tulane Ave. The presentations are open to the public.
Full text of press release...
See also: The Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium partnership between LSU's Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center and the Tulane Cancer Center
See also: Information on this website about women's cancers
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May, 2005
"One in Four Louisiana Teens Smoke Cigarettes"
One out of four high school students in south central Louisiana smoked cigarettes in the past month, say Tulane University researchers in a study was published in a recent issue of Preventive Medicine. Among the authors are Tulane Cancer Center researchers Carolyn C. Johnson, Ph.D., N.C.C., L.P.C. and Larry S. Webber, Ph.D..
Full text of press release...
Citation: Johnson CC, Myers L, Webber LS, Boris NW. Profiles of the adolescent smoker: models of tobacco use among 9th grade high school students: Acadiana Coalition of Teens against Tobacco (ACTT). Prev Med Sep;39(3):551-8 (2004)
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March 28, 2005
"'Bounce Back!' 24-Hour Basketball Relay Fights Rare Cancer"
NEW ORLEANS - Twenty-four participants aim to set a world record for a 24-hour basketball dribbling relay on April 23 - 24, 2005 to support research into a rare cancer. The event is planned in memory of Tulane University medical student Andy Martin, who lost his battle with sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) in November, 2004. During the last years of his life, Mr. Martin and a team of researchers grew Mr. Martin's own cancer cells in the lab in order to study the cancer. As a result, Tulane is the only university in the nation researching the cancer with live cells. SNUC is such a rare cancer that Mr. Martin was one of only 100 people diagnosed with the disease since 1986. Very little funding exists at the federal level for research into rare cancers. Funds raised for the research through events have supported the hiring of a research fellow dedicated to expanding the field further. "Bounce Back!" will start at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23, and will continue through 2 p.m. Sunday, April 24 at the Danny Thiel Track on the Tulane campus uptown. The first "Bounce for Life" event occurred December 15 - 16, 2003. Mr. Martin's mentor, Dr. Tyler J. Curiel, Chief of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Tulane, broke the world record for distance dribbling a basketball over a 24-hour period. Curiel, who is an ultra-marathon runner, dribbled over 108 miles. That event launched a fund-raising effort that has generated about $180,000 over the past year to support the research. "Bounce for Life" is partnering with the Cancer Association of Greater New Orleans (CAGNO) to present the event on April 23, will include the sale of silver jewelry designed by Mr. Martin. Tulane Soundwave will perform trackside on April 23 from 4 - 5 p.m. and the Tulane Music and Medicine Society will provide music from 7 - 10 p.m. "By taking up his jewelry designs, showing his pieces and having the opportunity to contribute the proceeds to the "Bounce for Life" cause, I have been able to continue Andy's passions - both artistic and scientific," says his sister, Avril Jensen, who will be at the event. Jensen explains that designing the pieces was a creative outlet for Mr. Martin as he battled the cancer, both in his body and in the lab. People interested in volunteering or making tax-free donations can contact "Bounce for Life" at bounce@tulane.edu or (504) 988-8840. For more information about Andy Martin, his jewelry and the Bounce organization, go to: www.bounceforlife.org.
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February 17, 2005
Tulane Cancer Center Pediatrician Dr. Charles Hemenway Studies Leukemia-Killing Molecule
Full text of press release.
Further information on Dr. Hemenway and other Tulane Cancer Center faculty.
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February, 2005
"Finding a Key to Unlock Chromosomal Memory"
Scientists at the Tulane University Health Sciences Center have uncovered an important part of a mechanism critical to cell replication. A chromosomal element present at the tips of chromosomes serves as "caps" to protect cells against chromosome loss and rearrangement that may lead to the development of cancer. In a report in Current Biology published this week, biochemist Arthur Lustig and colleagues show that a protein called Ndj1p is essential to reset these caps to their original structure. The studies were supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with matching funds from the Tulane Cancer Center.
An abstract of the paper is available on-line at: www.current-biology.com/content/article/abstract?uid=PIIS0960982205000746
Full text of press release...
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January 28, 2005
"Health Sciences Research Recognition Awards 2005"
Tulane University Health Sciences Center honored its top researchers at a special recognition ceremony this week. Honorees included those who garnered more than $1.5 million in research funding in fiscal year 2004, those who had the highest total in newly awarded grants in excess of $400,000, those who received their first peer- reviewed grant of $50,000 or more and the researcher who achieved the highest level of collaborative research. Among the honorees were Tulane Cancer Center researchers
Samir El-Dahr,
Robert Garry,
Frank Jones,
Carl Kendall,
Preston Marx,
Aline Scandurro,
Larry Webber, and
Weiping Zou
Full text of press release...
In the news:
Articles and interviews in the media about the
Tulane Cancer Center,
and other cancer news
-
December 11, 2005
"Prostate cancer support group meets", New Orleans Times-Picayune
Tulane-Lakeside Hospital will host a prostate center support group meeting to discuss the newest developments in prostate cancer research and treatment on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the hospital, 4700 South I-10 Service Road, Metairie. The program is free to the public. For information, call 780-8282.
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November 30, 2005
"Xavier and Tulane share cancer grant", John Pope,
New Orleans Times-Picayune
Article on the NCI P-20 grant to address racial disparities in cancer outcomes.
See also our press release on this grant.
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November 25, 2005
"Cancer Society Building a Lodge", John Pope,
New Orleans Times-Picayune
Information on the Hope Lodge, to provide lodging for cancer patients seeking treatment in New Orleans, currently under construction by the New Orleans chapter of the
American Cancer Society
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March 16, 2005
WVUE-TV Fox 8 News's "Fishing With Captain Charlie Thomason" report, 9:00 p.m. broadcast.
Interview with
Oliver Sartor, M.D. and
Roy S. Weiner, M.D.,
Co-Directors of the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium
(LCRC),
regarding the upcoming New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Second Annual
Golf Tournament
Monday, April 11, 2005,
benefitting the LCRC.
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October 11, 2004
"LSU, Tulane combine medical expertise", John Pope,
New Orleans Times-Picayune
Article on the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium.
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July 25, 2004
"Crusaders celebrate their ages", Sheila Stroup,
New Orleans Times-Picayune
Fundraising event by our benefactors, the
Cancer Crusaders
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April 28, 2004
Interview with Tulane Medical School student
Andy Martin on NPR regarding his research on his own rare cancer, sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma, in the laboratory of Tulane Cancer Center researcher Tyler J. Curiel, M.D..
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April 1, 2004
"Medical Student Takes On A Rare Disease -- His Own", Wall St. Journal, April 1, 2004
Article on Tulane Medical School student Andy Martin who is researching his own rare cancer, sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma, in the laboratory of Tulane Cancer Center researcher Tyler J. Curiel, M.D.
Archived articles in other Tulane newsletters and publications:
Articles in
The Hullabaloo, Tulane's student newspaper:
-
In memoriam, Andy Martin
"Tulane medical student leaves legacy of research"
by Jaclyn Rosenson,
Hullaballoo, December 03, 2004
Andy Martin, a Tulane medical school student researching his own cancer, sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC), died Nov. 19 at 10:10 p.m. from complications of the cancer. Friends gathered Monday night after Martin's death for an impromptu memorial at the Phi Chi medical fraternity house ... Those interested in learning more about the research or the fund-raiser can visit www.bounceforlife.org. Donations can be sent through the information available on the web site. Donations can also be made to "Tulane Cancer Center/Bounce for Life" and be sent to Tulane Cancer Center c/o Ms. Keadren Green, 1430 Tulane Avenue, SL-68, New Orleans, LA 70112. "Tulane is a truly remarkable community, and the amount of support I have received É has been incredible," Martin said in the March "Hullabaloo" interview.
Full text of article
A memorial service was held for Andy Martin at the Tulane University Medical School on
Tuesday, January 11, 2004.
Related information:
-
"Bounce for Life" event to benefit SNUC cancer research, December 15, 2003.
-
"Bounce Back! In Memory of Andy Martin" event to benefit SNUC cancer Research, April 23-24, 2005.
Articles in
Inside Tulane,
the Tulane University faculty & staff newsletter:
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"A Long Way from Chernobyl "
Inside Tulane, issue of March 1, 2005
Article on Dr. Maya Begalieva, Clinical Assistant Professor of Community Health Sciences in the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Dr. Begalieva is a researcher on ovarian cancer, and treated some of the victims of the Chernobyl disaster. She is also an expert on public health emergency preparedness.
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"Care for the Caregivers"
Inside Tulane, issue of March 1, 2005
The Schwartz Center Rounds are a multidisciplinary forum where clinical caregivers discuss difficult emotional and social issues that arise in caring for patients.
See also: Tulane's Friedler Cancer Counseling Center
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"Researcher Joins Administration"
Inside Tulane,
February 15, 2005
Tulane Cancer Center member Laura S. Levy, Ph.D. has been appointed Associate Senior Vice President for Research.
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"Building to Reconfigure Health Sciences Center"
Inside Tulane,
issue of February 1, 2005
The Tulane Medical School will lease space for classrooms and offices in the 1555 Poydras Building. See map.
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"Remembering Andy Martin, 1972-2004"
Inside Tulane,
issue of January, 2005
In memoriam, written by his mentor, Tulane Cancer Center member
Tyler J. Curiel, MD
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"Breast Cancer Runs in Families"
Inside Tulane,
issue of October 1, 2004
This article on cancer genetics features Tulane Cancer Center members
Jess Thoene, MD and
Kelly Jackson, MS, CGC
Articles in
New Wave
(post-hurricane news and updates)
- "Raloxifene a STAR in Breast Cancer Treatment," Fran Simon, New Wave, April 24, 2006
- "Helping Tulane Help Cancer Patients," Melanie Cross, New Wave, April 20, 2006
- "NOVA to Feature Tulane Researcher",
Fran Simon,
New Wave,
January 4, 2006
On Tuesday, January 10 the PBS television program "NOVA scienceNOW" airs a program featuring the efforts of Tulane Cancer Center researcher Tyler J. Curiel, M.D. during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to preserve the research on sinonasal
undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) begun by the late Andy Martin.
Full text of article...
NOVA segment on Dr. Curiel
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"Biosciences Are Key to City Revitalization",
Arthur Nead,
New Wave,
January 2, 2006
The biosciences will play a leading role in bringing new people and businesses to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, according to Yvette Jones, Senior Vice President for External Affairs at Tulane. Jones chairs the biosciences subcommittee of the Economic Development Committee of Mayor Ray Nagin's Bring New Orleans Back Commission.
Full text of article...
(Article mentions the
Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium.)
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"Tulane Opens Medical Clinic Downtown",
Fran Simon,
New Wave,
December 1, 2005
Tulane's Primary Care Clinic re-opens.
(The Tulane Cancer Center Comprehensive Clinic is currently open at Lakeview on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain at 19055 Kane Lane, Covington, LA 70433,
(985) 867-4185)
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"Tulane Reaches Out to Clinical Trial Participants",
Fran Simon,
New Wave,
November 17, 2005
Treatment and observation resume for patients whose participation in Tulane's
clinical trials
was disrupted by the hurricanes in the fall of 2005.
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"Time is of the Essence as Research Resumes",
Fran Simon,
New Wave,
November 15, 2005
Update on the repair of the
J. Bennett Johnston Building at 1324 Tulane Ave., which houses cancer laboratories and other laboratories. The article features Tulane Cancer Center faculty members
Prescott L. Deininger, Ph.D.,
Laura S. Levy, Ph.D., and
Steven M. Hill, Ph.D..
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"Tidewater Recovery Underway",
Fran Simon,
New Wave,
November 14, 2005
Update on the repair of the
Tidewater Building at 1440 Canal St.,
which houses Tulane's
School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and many of the faculty members of the Tulane Cancer Center
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"Research in the Post-Katrina Environment",
Madeline Vann,
New Wave,
November 8, 2005
Article on the Katrina Environmental Research and Restoration Network
(KERRN) established by
Tulane Cancer Center faculty member
John A. McLachlan, Ph.D.,
Director of the Tulane-Xavier Center for Bioenvironmental Research
(CBR)
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"Faculty Members Honored",
Fran Simon,
New Wave,
November 8, 2005
Tulane Cancer Center faculty members
Barbara S. Beckman, Ph.D., and
Laura S. Levy, Ph.D. were named fellows of the
American Association for the Advancement of Science
(AAAS).
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"Tulane Projects Get Continued Support",
Madeline Vann,
New Wave,
November 3, 2005
Tulane Cancer Center researcher
Carl Kendall, Ph.D. will receive $4.1 million to fund the third year of work that the Department of International Health and Development and the Payson Center have been doing in support of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control. After the storm, Dr. Kendall established a satellite office in Atlanta, home of the CDC.
Full text of article...
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"Centers Open for New Orleans Area Medical Care",
Madeline Vann,
New Wave,
October 24, 2005
The Tulane Multspecialty Center is open following the hurricane to provide services and treatment at multiple locations in the greater New Orleans area, including Uptown Square, Tulane-Lakeside Hospital in Metairie, and Lakeview Regional Medical Center in Covington, Louisiana, on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain.
(See also: Cancer Center Opens on North Shore.)
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"Primate Center Thrives" with new NIH grants,
Fran Simon,
New Wave,
October 21, 2005
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"Cancer Center Opens on North Shore",
Fran Simon,
New Wave,
October 18, 2005
(See also: press release, November 10, 2005)
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"Tulane Doctors Provide Care to Post-Katrina New Orleans",
Fran Simon,
New Wave,
October 10, 2005
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"Rescuers Stabilize Research Specimens",
Arthur Nead,
New Wave,
October 6, 2005
News on the post-hurricane preservation of research in the cancer laboratories and other laboratories, including the resupplying of liquid nitrogen.
Full text of article...
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"Primate Center Powers Up",
Suzanne Johnson,
New Wave,
September 15, 2005
Electricity was restored to the Tulane National Primate Research Center in Covington, Louisiana. The primate center is also serving as a storage point for critical research projects from laboratories at both the Health Sciences Center and Tulane's Uptown campus.
Full text of article...
Articles in
The Tulanian,
Tulane's monthly news magazine
Breaking news
This page is http://www.som.tulane.edu/cancer/news.html
This page was last updated on April 12, 2006.
See also: News by topic
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Tulane Cancer Center, Box SL-68
1430 Tulane Avenue
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112-2699
(504) 988-6060, fax (504) 988-6077
http://www.som.tulane.edu/cancer