Annual Report 2007 3-24-08.pdf - Moffitt Cancer Center

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Research Does Not Sacrifice Patient Care Moffitt dermatopathologist Jane L. Messina, M.D., is in the forefront of the very front lines in the battle against melanoma. “In fact, she and her colleagues in Pathology at Moffitt have played a big role in a major effort to move melanoma research forward while doing all possible to help assure a successful outcome for current patients,” says Dr. Sondak. “Over the years melanoma research has been limited by the concern that if a patient’s tumor specimen is sent to the research laboratory without being examined by the pathologist, some aspect of their medical care could be negatively affected,” Dr. Sondak notes. “At Moffitt, Dr. Messina makes sure that doesn’t happen. She makes sure that the melanoma patients donating tissue to the tumor bank are safeguarded.” After patients consent to donate tissue to the Moffitt tissue bank for research purposes, the small sample must be frozen and quarantined until the specimen is reviewed and approved by Dr. Messina before it is released for research. “We have very close coordination between tissue procurement, pathology assistants and the pathologist,” explains Dr. Messina. “If the tissue is released for research, it is also examined by a pathologist to make sure it accurately represents the patient’s tumor.” Dermatopathologist Jane Messina, M.D., evaluates tissue samples. Investigator Awards Drive Melanoma Research Forward Several Moffitt researchers already are concentrating on discovering more about melanoma. The first grant awards through the CMRC have been presented to several investigators for their innovative work. Dmitry Gabrilovich, M.D., Ph.D. Harnessing The Power Of Immunotherapy Dmitry Gabrilovich, M.D., Ph.D., an immunologist and Moffitt’s Scientist of the Year for 2006, has been examining melanoma tumor mechanisms and the potential of immunotherapy for combating melanoma. “Because the treatment is genetically tailored to an individual’s tumor, immunotherapy of melanoma is very attractive,” says Dr. Gabrilovich. “The further development of immunotherapy is a focus of Moffitt’s 2010 Strategic Goals to discover, translate and deliver personalized cancer care.” Much of Dr. Gabrilovich’s work on this project is aimed at better understanding and demonstrating the factors that limit the effectiveness of immunotherapy, including what factors prevent cytotoxic T cells from recognizing and eliminating tumors. His work on the role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in sustaining tumors is highlighted in an article published in the Jan. 11, 2008, issue of Science. Defining Resistance To Therapy Prakash Chinnaiyan, M.D., radiation oncologist, is examining the therapeutic resistance of melanoma brain metastases. “Limited therapeutic options are available for these patients,” Prakash Chinnaiyan, M.D. explains Dr. Chinnaiyan. “Our studies are focused on developing novel model systems to recapitulate underlying resistance demonstrated in melanoma brain metastases. Our hypothesis is that tumor stem cells have the plasticity to metastasize to the brain and may contribute to both chemotherapy and radiation resistance.” Therefore, tumor stem cells are currently being isolated from brain metastases specimens, and response rates to traditional therapies are being defined to provide a framework to test novel approaches designed to overcome intrinsic resistance. 14 MOFFITT CANCER CENTER
“Personalized Medicine” Ultimately Will Become Reality For Cancer Patients Total Cancer Care (TCC) is a growing statewide enterprise and research project initiated by Moffitt. TCC promises to deliver “personalized medicine” –– a new approach to treatment of melanoma and all forms of cancer made possible by advances in molecular biology and genetics. The result is therapies that will be tailored to fit each person’s unique genetic profile. Diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and other cancers by a personalized medicine approach means that the right treatment can be matched to the right patient through “genetic signatures.” Because each tumor has a specific genetic makeup, clinicians can use tumor “gene expression profiles” to predict the drugs to which each patient’s tumors may best respond. Matching the patient’s genetic signature and specific “biomarkers” in the tumor to a specific drug has the advantage of allowing the patient to leap over treatments that will likely be less effective than the genetically and molecularly matched treatment. Harrison Borno prepares a tumor sample that will be used in research. More than 5,200 tumor tissue samples have been collected (and are eligible for gene profiling) from patients at Moffitt and its network of affiliates. Diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and other cancers by a personalized medicine approach means that the right treatment can be matched to the right patient through “genetic signatures.” Unraveling Risk Factors For Melanoma Dana E. Rollison, Ph.D., an epidemiologist in Moffitt’s Risk Assessment Detection and Intervention Program, conducts a variety of studies, several of which are aimed at Dana E. Rollison, Ph.D. unraveling independent risk factors for different types of skin cancer, including melanoma. “Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, fair skin and family history are clear risk factors for melanoma,” says Dr. Rollison. “We are studying additional genetic factors that may be related to abnormal moles, or nevi. Atypical moles can be a marker for identifying people at high risk for melanoma.” In a current study, Dr. Rollison and colleagues are trying to establish a clearer association between abnormal nevi and melanoma by examining the relationship between telomere length in blood cells and abnormal nevi count. Telomeres consist of repeated DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes, and telomere lengths have been associated with increased risks of a variety of cancers. “Telomere lengths have also been correlated with higher numbers of atypical moles, which is of particular relevance to melanoma,” explains Dr. Rollison. Her research raises the possibility of finding a genetic “common denominator” that might eventually explain why some moles turn into melanoma. Pushing To Boost Tumor Suppression Srikumar Chellappan, Ph.D., a member of the Drug Discovery Program and Moffitt’s Scientist of the Year for 2007, is working toward a better understanding of Srikumar Chellappan, Ph.D. metastatic melanoma by examining a biochemical “cascade” in melanoma tumor growth and the effect of a small molecule called RRD-251 that could inhibit the process and promote tumor suppression. “Our studies have the potential to identify novel agents to combat melanoma,” says Dr. Chellappan. “If we can use RRD-251 to prevent the growth, progression and metastasis of melanomas, new and effective treatments may emerge.” 2007 Annual Report 15
Page 1 and 2: Annual Report/2007 MOFFITT IN MOTIO
Page 3 and 4: Can You Feel The Momentum? 2007 YEA
Page 5 and 6: This is the ninth consecutive year
Page 7 and 8: Comprehensive Melanoma Research Cen
Page 9 and 10: In addition to Dr. Weber, the leade
Page 11 and 12: “...the human immune system ‘se
Page 13: National Cancer Institute’s 61 de
Page 17 and 18: ”It will be exciting to watch as
Page 19 and 20: Like members of all Moffitt Cancer
Page 21 and 22: Gerald and Kathleen Flynn converse
Page 23 and 24: INTERNAL LEADERSHIP President/Chief

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