The conference is hosted by the CCR Center of Excellence in Immunology and organized by Steven Rosenberg, MD, PhD; Claudia Palena, PhD; James Gulley, MD, PhD, of the NCI Center for Cancer Research
Important Dates:
Abstract Submission Deadline: August 19, 2022
Registration Deadline: September 1, 2022
Registration is free, but seating is limited.
Please send conference-related questions to [email protected].
AACI Update | September 2022
Headlines
AACI Welcomes New Member Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center
Last month AACI welcomed the Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center as its 105th member. The center serves eight counties in Southeast Texas and is led by Jenny Chang, MD. The center recently announced a $25 million philanthropic gift from Dr. Mary and Ron Neal; the funding will further bolster current efforts to create impactful research, training, and outreach efforts for the communities that the center serves.
Annual Meeting Spotlight: From Chemical Weapons to Chemotherapy
By the end of World War I, the use of chemical weapons had resulted in over 1,000,000 casualties on both sides. Through a series of events these weapons set in motion discoveries that led to the development of chemotherapy. Matthew Naylor, PhD, will describe these discoveries and their impact on modern cancer treatment during the opening keynote at the 2022 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting.
AACI Shares Policy Recommendations for Diversity in Clinical Trials
AACI recently engaged in several conversations with representatives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services about the Biden administration’s efforts to increase clinical trial diversity. AACI's CRI Steering Committee and Board of Directors developed recommendations related to clinical research infrastructure at community research sites; financial toxicity for patients; education among patients and physicians; enrollment criteria for clinical trials; and funding for clinical research.
AACI Congratulates New NCI Director
AACI commends the Biden administration on its appointment of surgical oncologist Monica Bertagnolli, MD, as the director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). In addition to being the first woman to serve in the role, Dr. Bertagnolli is the first woman to hold the title of chief of surgical oncology at AACI member center Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Dr. Bertagnolli is also a longtime advocate of increasing diversity in cancer research as it applies to physicians, researchers, and patients enrolled in clinical trials.
Visit Patient Resource in Kansas City
Patient Resource is proud to support the upcoming 2022 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting, October 2-4 in Kansas City. Please stop by our booth to learn more about how you can empower your patients while increasing your market share.
News from the Centers
NCI Names Fong Outstanding Investigator
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) recently awarded Larry Fong, MD, leader of the Cancer Immunotherapy Program, an Outstanding Investigator Award (R35). These awards support investigators with outstanding records of productivity in cancer research. Dr. Fong’s project will use single-cell approaches to explore response and resistance to immunotherapy.
Calvi is ASBMR President-Elect
Wilmot Cancer Institute, UR Medicine
Laura Calvi, MD, a leader at the Wilmot Cancer Institute and the University of Rochester Medical Center Department of Medicine, has been voted president-elect of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
NCI Comprehensive Designation Renewed
The University of Arizona Cancer Center
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) recently renewed the University of Arizona Cancer Center’s status as an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and the corresponding support grant for a new five-year period. Joann Sweasy, PhD, is the center's director.
$9.5 Million Grant Received to Study Esophageal Cancer
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami
Researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center have received a $9.5 million National Cancer Institute Program Project grant to investigate esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). While only around 2-3 percent of patients progress from Barrett’s esophagus to EAC during their lifetimes, these cancers have a dismal, 15 percent five-year survival rate. In the past 30 years, EAC prevalence has increased 600 percent.
UVA Receives $5.75 Million Gift to Battle Rare Blood Cancers
University of Virginia Cancer Center
A gift of more than $5.75 million from anonymous donors will allow UVA Cancer Center to speed the development of new treatments for rare blood cancers and provide more patients with these cancers access to cutting-edge clinical trials. UVA will use the donation to establish a new Translational Orphan Blood Cancer Research Initiative Fund.
Liver Cancer Risk and Prevention Study Funded
Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine received a five-year, $5.5 million-plus grant from the National Cancer Institute for research on liver cancer risk factors and prevention, with the goal of reducing the burden of liver cancer in patients with metabolic dysfunction.
$5.3 Million Grant Supports Research Into Lung Cancer Recurrence
Siteman Cancer Center
A grant to Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis will support research into understanding lung cancer recurrence. Ramaswamy Govindan, MD, and his colleagues at Siteman Cancer Center will analyze tumor samples from patients participating in a group of national clinical trials aimed at improving lung cancer therapies.
$5 Million Gift Dedicated to Oral Cancer Research
Moffitt Cancer Center
Sarasota resident Phebe Morgan has made a $5 million gift to Moffitt Cancer Center to honor her lifelong love who had oral cancer. A longtime smoker, Glenn Hoffman was first diagnosed with throat cancer in 1991, developed early stage oral cancer in 2020, and died of the disease in November 2021 at the age of 75.
Intricate Interplay
University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center
Kimberly Leslie, MD, was awarded a four-year, $1.8 million grant from the Department of Defense to further study high-risk uterine cancer. Her research has led her to study the differences between natural progesterone and synthetic progestins and the influence of progesterone on the tumor suppressor protein p53.
Tailgate Gala Raises More Than $2 Million
Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
During an event marking a decade of the Chuckstrong initiative, more than $2 million was raised for the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. Hosted by the Indianapolis Colts, Jim Irsay, and former head coach Chuck Pagano, the 2022 Chuckstrong Tailgate Gala celebrated 10 years of Pagano's survivorship and more than $12 million raised for cancer research.
$1.9 Million Grant to Fund Study of Protein Associated With Cancer Development
The University of Kansas Cancer Center
Michael Washburn, PhD, is a recipient of the Maximizing Investigator’s Research Award from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, which is part of the National Institutes of Health. The five-year, $1.9 million grant will fund his work studying a protein associated with the development of cancer and other diseases.
Researcher to Lead Study on Antibiotic Resistance in Fresh Vegetables
UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
En Huang, PhD, has received a three-year, $1 million research grant from the United States Department of Agriculture. Dr. Huang and his team will investigate why some bacteria isolated from retail vegetables in the United States are resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics.
Fagan Joins Leadership Team
UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
Pebbles Fagan, PhD, MPH, a leading expert on tobacco-related health disparities and co-founder of the National Cancer Institute’s Tobacco Research Network on Disparities, has assumed the role of associate director for Cancer Prevention and Control for the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Darr Named Associate Director of Administration
Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center
Following a national search, David Darr has been named associate director of administration and senior director for research strategy and operations for Duke Cancer Institute (DCI). As part of this role, Darr will serve as the direct administrator for DCI's Cancer Center Support Grant.
Family Doctor Appointed Head of DEI
Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina
Family medicine doctor Nicholas Shungu, MD, focuses on reducing health disparities, patient by patient, day by day, in his practice. Now, he’ll get to expand his reach as the newly appointed associate director for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center.
George to Lead DEI Efforts
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center has named Sophia George, PhD, the inaugural associate director of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). In addition to this new role, she will continue her extramurally funded research on the study of breast and gynecologic cancers in women from the African diaspora and Africa.
Senior Director of Data Science Named
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Aik Choon Tan, PhD, has been appointed senior director of data science at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) and will also serve as a member of the research executive committee and research leadership council within the comprehensive cancer center at HCI. Dr. Tan will begin October 1. He joins Huntsman from Moffitt Cancer Center.
Epidemiology, Biomarker, and Clinical Outcome Researcher to Direct Liver Cancer Program
Cedars-Sinai Cancer
Ju Dong Yang, MD, a liver cancer clinician-researcher who studies epidemiology, health disparities and outcomes, and biomarkers both nationally and globally, has been appointed medical director of the Liver Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai Cancer.In With the New
University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center
New technologies and treatment approaches brought Lara McKean Basté, MD, to colorectal surgery and to the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center. Originally wanting to be a cardiac surgeon, McKean Basté says that the diversity of diseases in the lower intestine drew her to the practice. And UNM's mission to serve everyone in the state drew her to New Mexico.
Link Found Between Genetic Mutations and Cancer Treatment Resistance
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
Arul Chinnaiyan, MD, PhD, and his team from the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, studying the molecular landscape of over 500 patients with an aggressive form of multiple myeloma, discovered a prevalence of activated key oncogenic pathways in these patients.
Neuroscientists Create Computer Models of Individual Brain Cells
Cedars-Sinai Cancer
Cedars-Sinai investigators have created bio-realistic and complex computer models of individual brain cells, in unparalleled quantity. Their research details how these models could one day answer questions about neurological disorders—and even human intellect—that aren’t possible to explore through biological experiments.
Study Reveals Need for Matching Targeted Therapies With EGFR Subtypes
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
New research from Vanderbilt investigators suggests that clinicians should take a deeper dive into distinguishing EGFR mutations when prescribing targeted therapies for non-small-cell lung cancers.
Study Shows Hope, Options for Older Patients With Liver Cancer
UK Markey Cancer Center
Physicians and researchers from UK HealthCare's Transplant Center and the UK Markey Cancer Center conducted a study of patients over the age of 70 with hepatocellular carcinoma and how the outcomes of ablative treatments compare to liver transplants.
In a World Full of 3D Models, Researchers Build a New One for Leukemia
Wilmot Cancer Institute, UR Medicine
A Wilmot Cancer Institute scientist published data that show a new microchip-like device that his lab developed can reliably model changes in the bone marrow as leukemia takes root and spreads.
Cancer-Busting Broccoli Sprout Pills? It's a Thing.
Fred Hutch Cancer Center
Worried about health effects from the U.S.’s increasingly smoky summers? One day, you may be able to pop a few pills that will help your cells pinpoint and extract the worst of the airborne carcinogens before they can do harm. Sound completely science-fictional? It gets better. Future space travelers may take these chemopreventive agents as well, to combat the adverse effects of galactic cosmic rays and other harmful space radiation.
Clinical Trial Sets Stage for New Paradigm in Kidney Cancer Treatment
Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Investigators at UT Southwestern Medical Center report the results of a clinical trial exploring the role of stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SAbR) for patients with a handful of metastases, or so-called oligometastatic disease. The study represents the first clinical trial for patients with untreated oligometastatic kidney cancer.
AI Can Recognize Thyroid Nodules That Are Very Unlikely to Be Cancerous
University of Colorado Cancer Center
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to reduce the number of biopsies of benign thyroid nodules, according to new research from University of Colorado Cancer Center member Nikita Pozdeyev, MD. Dr. Pozdeyev used 30,000 images from 621 thyroid nodules to train the machine-learning model that classifies thyroid nodules as "cancer" or "no cancer." The model achieved a sensitivity of 97 percent, and a specificity of 61 percent.
Giving Immunotherapy Cells Resilience
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Using a CRISPR-based edit on T-cells’ genomes, researchers at UC San Francisco and Gladstone Institutes have rendered the therapeutic cells more resilient. The discovery may help overcome a major factor limiting the success of these promising therapies in curbing both solid and liquid tumors.
Novel Drug Shows Promising Efficacy for Patients With Multiple Myeloma
Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
Results of an international clinical trial co-led by researchers at Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University show potential for a novel drug to benefit patients with multiple myeloma whose disease either recurred or was resistant to three or more earlier lines of treatment.
Synthetic 'Forever Chemical' Linked to Liver Cancer
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
Exposure to a synthetic chemical found widely in the environment is linked to non-viral hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer, according to a new study conducted by researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
Brain Tumor Study Highlights Differences Among Hispanics
Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center
Although typically classified as a single ethnic group, people of Hispanic heritage have markedly different risks for brain tumors based on their geographic origins. Researchers found that populations from the Caribbean had higher rates of glioma incidence compared to those from Mexico or Central America.
Prompt Recognition, Treatment Found Effective for Lung Disease in Patients Who Received New Drug for Advanced Cancer
The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai
Lung disease caused by a new drug for cancers—including metastatic or advanced breast cancer—can be effectively treated using approaches that focus on early detection and prompt management, according to a new study that provides one of the most comprehensive analyses of interstitial lung disease diagnosis and treatment in patients who received an antibody drug conjugate known as T-DXd.
Markers of Chemotherapy Resistance in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Identified
Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and clinicians at Washington University in St. Louis have identified biological markers in triple-negative breast cancer that are associated with resistance to chemotherapy treatment.
Mental Illness Elevated Among Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Patients with Hodgkin lymphoma are more likely to suffer from mental-health and substance-abuse disorders than the general population. Calling for more attention to mental health, a study by researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah found people with the disease had higher risks of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, suicide, and self-inflicted injuries.
Researchers Discover Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Induce Drug Sensitivity
Moffitt Cancer Center
In a new article, Moffitt Cancer Center researchers demonstrate that cancer associated fibroblasts can promote or inhibit drug sensitivity based on the type of tumor cell and the drug used for treatment.
Study Offers Insights Into How Pancreatic Cancer Develops
Siteman Cancer Center
A new study co-authored by Li Ding, PhD, has revealed details of two key transition points in the development of pancreatic tumors – the shift from normal to precancerous cells, and the change from precancerous to cancerous cells. The study also provides insights into treatment resistance and how immunotherapy could be harnessed to treat this aggressive tumor type.
Patient Activation Creates More Equitable Interactions With Physicians
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
Coaching patients to voice their concerns about their medical care and advocate for themselves can offset physicians’ racial bias so it doesn’t lead to inferior experiences for Black patients, a University of Michigan-led study found.
Tarlatamab Shows Efficacy Against Metastatic Small Cell Lung Cancer in Phase I Study
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health
Patients with metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC) have limited options for treatment, with few drugs available for patients who have already completed frontline chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Now a global multi-institutional study that included researchers from Fox Chase Cancer Center has shown that the investigational drug tarlatamab is a promising new potential treatment for SCLC.
Using Big Data to Better Understand Cancerous Mutations
University of Colorado Cancer Center
University of Colorado Cancer Center member Ryan Layer, PhD, has developed a method for scanning thousands of DNA samples to identify common variants. Scientists can evaluate cell DNA to identify mutations, Dr. Layer says, but the challenge is that the human genome is massive, and mutations are a normal part of evolution.
Betamethasone Could Improve Outcomes for Prostate Cancer Radiation Therapy
UK Markey Cancer Center
A new study published by UK Markey Cancer Center researchers suggests that the common steroid betamethasone could be used to reduce unwanted side effects of radiation treatments for prostate cancer.
Study Finds Many Cancer Patients Have No Antibodies to Measles or Mumps
Fred Hutch Cancer Center
To find out how much protection cancer patients have against measles and mumps, Steven Pergam, MD, MPH (pictured), along with his biostatistician colleague Elizabeth Krantz, led a project in 2019 to assess the levels of antibody protection against those viruses in that population. They found that one in four cancer patients tested lacked protective antibodies for measles, and more than one in three for mumps.
Targeted Cancer Drug During Pregnancy
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
Pregnancy in patients with lung cancer is uncommon. There are limited safety data during pregnancy for ALK inhibitors – targeted therapies for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with ALK gene rearrangements. Researchers report the case of a patient with metastatic ALK-rearranged NSCLC who was treated with the ALK inhibitor alectinib throughout two pregnancies.
New Combination Therapy Reverses Resistance in Treating Certain Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers
Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
A pre-clinical study led by Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta researchers finds that combination therapy of the front-line drug osimertinib (OSI) and a second drug the group developed (MRX-2843) is effective in reversing OSI resistance and superior to using either drug alone when treating non-small cell lung cancer.
New Technology Aims Toward Earlier Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
New research led by UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and involving more than 50 researchers suggests that new technology in development may lead to a better way to detect early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma.
Pralsetinib Achieves Tissue-Agnostic Benefits for Patients With RET Gene Fusions
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
The highly selective RET inhibitor pralsetinib was well-tolerated and demonstrated robust, durable responses in patients with RET fusion-positive cancers regardless of tumor type, according to results from the international Phase I/II ARROW trial led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Scientists Identify Novel Molecular Biomarkers in Cells That Spread a Deadly Form of Breast Cancer
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University
Studying triple-negative breast cancer, Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists say they have identified key molecular differences between cancer cells that cling to an initial tumor and those that venture off to form distant tumors.
AI Tools Predict DNA Regulatory Role and 3D Structure
Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Newly developed artificial intelligence (AI) programs accurately predicted the role of DNA’s regulatory elements and three-dimensional (3D) structure based solely on its raw sequence.
Lack of Diversity Seen in Cancer Center Leadership
Association of American Cancer Institutes
In an interview with HemOnc Today, AACI President Caryn Lerman, PhD, said, "There’s an awareness of limited diversity at the highest levels of leadership, such as cancer center directors, but we didn’t know as much about the level of diversity among emerging leaders, such as associate directors of cancer centers, deputy directors and even program leaders." Dr. Lerman is director of USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Cancer Activist, AACI 2021 Keynote Speaker Scroggins Dies
Association of American Cancer Institutes
AACI was saddened to learn that Mary "Dicey" Jackson Scroggins passed away on August 1. In her keynote at the 2021 AACI CRI Annual Meeting, she advocated for eliminating health disparities in cancer clinical trials. The news of her death came just a few weeks before her 26th ovarian cancer survivorship anniversary. In January 2021, Dicey was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and later underwent a bone marrow transplant.
Allison Institute Announces Formation of Scientific Advisory Board
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
The James P. Allison Institute at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center today announced the establishment of its scientific advisory board to provide strategic guidance and evaluation of its research portfolio and programs. The 11-person advisory board, which brings together global leaders in immunotherapy and immunobiology, held its inaugural meeting in August.
New Pediatric Tumor Identifications Could Help Predict Chemo Response
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
After a decade of researching inequities in clinical trials with a team of researchers and physicians in cancer digital health, Hala Borno, MD, introduced Trial Library, a new, tech-enabled approach that prioritizes the need for diverse and underrepresented patient groups.
Cancer Center Jobs
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Meeting Announcements
2022 Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Conference: Discovery to Mainstream Oncology
September 15, 2022
2022 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting
October 2, 2022
AACI cancer centers form North America's cancer research infrastructure and are hubs of critical discoveries, treatment advances and improvements in patient care. AACI and the Cancer Center Administrators Forum (CCAF) jointly formulated the program for the 2022 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting.
This three-day event convenes AACI cancer center members with national cancer research and advocacy groups, industry, and government health agencies to develop solutions to common challenges. No other program presents information on cancer research and patient care issues as they pertain to the leaders of the nation's cancer centers and provides those leaders with a forum to discuss common issues with their peers.
Continuing Medical Education (CME) is jointly provided by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and AACI. Your participation in this national meeting helps us chart a course for AACI's work on behalf of its cancer center network. We look forward to hosting you and your colleagues for this always innovative and high-quality educational experience.
Cardio-Oncology in the Era of Precision Medicine
October 14, 2022
Duke Health will host an in-person cardio-oncology symposium—Cardio-Oncology in the Era of Precision Medicine—on Friday, October 14, covering cardiovascular toxicities of targeted therapies and of androgen deprivation therapies, risk stratification, and prototypical cases in cardio-oncology.
Speakers include Susan Dent, MD (Duke); Paul Burridge, PhD (Northwestern); Michel Khouri, MD (Duke); Christine Brezden-Masley, MD, PhD (Mount Sinai – Toronto); and Michael Harrison, MD (Duke).
Speakers include Susan Dent, MD (Duke); Paul Burridge, PhD (Northwestern); Michel Khouri, MD (Duke); Christine Brezden-Masley, MD, PhD (Mount Sinai – Toronto); and Michael Harrison, MD (Duke).
AACI Leadership Diversity and Development Initiative Workshop
November 8, 2022
AACI is inviting cancer center directors to select one emerging leader from their cancer center to attend the inaugural Leadership Diversity and Development Initiative (LDDI) Workshop. We are especially seeking participants from underrepresented groups based on ethnicity, race, and gender/gender identity.
Candidate Eligibility:
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Currently holds the role of cancer center deputy director, associate director, program leader, associate or full professor or cancer center director (within two years of appointment)
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Currently holds the position of associate or full professor
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Demonstrates a track record of leadership and evidence of a desire for career evolution within the cancer center leadership structure
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Expresses commitment to attending the entire workshop
2023 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting
October 1, 2023
Registration is now open for the 2023 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting, October 1-3, 2023, at the Salamander Washington DC.
For those who are unable to attend the annual meeting in person, a virtual option is available. To register as a virtual attendee, select the "Member - Virtual Only" registration type. This will give you access to all sessions held in the main ballroom and a virtual breakout session. Virtual registration rates will remain the same. Login information will be provided closer to the meeting.