Planting the Seeds of Prevention - Siteman Cancer Center

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Breast Cancer Research A set of just 50 genes can be used to reliably identify the four known types of breast cancer, according to research conducted at the Siteman Cancer Center and collaborating institutions. Using this 50-gene set, oncologists can potentially predict the most effective therapy for each breast tumor type and thereby personalize breast cancer treatment for patients. “Unlike a widely used genomic test that applies only to lymph-node-negative, estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer, this new test is applicable for all women diagnosed with breast cancer,” says Matthew Ellis, MB, BChir, PhD, Anheuser-Busch Chair in Medical Oncology. The study was reported in February 2009 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Ellis’ collaborators include researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Siteman investigators also presented the following breast cancer research in the past year: In a study presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December 2008, Ellis and colleagues at five other centers showed that estrogen therapy can help control metastatic breast cancer. In about one-third of the study’s 66 participants — women with metastatic disease who were resistant to standard estrogen-lowering therapy — a daily dose of estrogen stopped tumor growth or shrank tumors. Research led by associate professor of surgery Rebecca Aft, MD, showed that maintaining bone density could be a key to decreasing the spread of breast cancer to the bones, a common site for metastasis. Aft and colleagues found that women treated for stage II/III breast cancer who also received the bone-strengthening drug zoledronic acid — commonly used to treat osteoporosis — were less likely to have breast tumor cells growing in their bones after three months. The findings were reported at the June 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 22 The Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center Matthew Ellis, MB, BChir, PhD Community Involvement As a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Siteman Cancer Center is committed to community involvement. In 2008, Siteman participated in many important community events and outreach initiatives. In June, Siteman once again served as a platinum sponsor of the Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure. One of the largest of a series of similar events held around the country, the St. Louis race attracted nearly 64,000 participants and raised $3.3 million. About 3,600 Siteman team members raised more than $100,000. Through a variety of events, Siteman provided 1,690 free prostate cancer screenings to men in the St. Louis region. These screenings were offered at the Missouri Black The 2008 Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure raised millions for cancer research. Expo, Dave Sinclair Auto Group locations, corporations and events held by Siteman’s Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities. Siteman also was a sponsor of the sixth annual Prostate Cancer Survivors and Awareness Walk. In 2008, Siteman’s mobile mammography van screened 6,149 women at churches, community clinics, corporations and Schnucks store locations. This includes 2,644 mammograms that were provided free or at a reduced cost through funding from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization and Missouri’s Show-Me Healthy Women initiative. In recognition of the Great American Smokeout in November, Siteman organized its fourth annual Keep Kids Tobacco-Free program in partnership with Bayless Junior High School in Affton, Mo. Students developed anti-smoking messages for essay and poster contests. The program was sponsored by the St. Louis Rams and Young Choices.
Holway Gift Supports Cancer Research What if scientists could identify genetic mutations associated with multiple myeloma and use that information to develop better treatments? Or administer a vaccine that stimulates the immune system to fight certain types of breast cancer? A $1.1 million gift from George and Diana Holway is allowing physician-scientists at the Siteman Cancer Center to pursue promising research in these areas and more. Funding from the gift is split between multiple myeloma, a disease that has affected George Holway, and breast cancer, which affected his wife. “We highly value the work of the Siteman Cancer Center and the impact it has made in our community and in our lives,” George Holway says. “We hope our contribution will help further the cancer center’s efforts toward a future without cancer.” The multiple myeloma portion of the gift is designated for several initiatives, according to associate professor of medicine Ravi Vij, MD, who leads Siteman’s multiple myeloma program. One project will investigate the genetics of the disease. Another involves the development of cell lines and mouse models that could be used to screen new drugs for their effectiveness. Among the projects supported by the breast cancer portion of the gift is work under way to begin testing a vaccine in humans. “If the vaccine works,” says lead investigator William Gillanders, MD, associate professor of surgery, “it could ultimately be used with existing patients to prevent a recurrence or even with high-risk patients to prevent the development of cancer.” The potential benefits of this vaccine approach — and the multiple myeloma projects — are huge. But obtaining funding for new and developing research programs has become difficult in recent years, which makes the Holway gift so significant, Vij says. “In an era where there is a squeeze on the amount of federal dollars available to support research, philanthropy is critical.” Other major gifts received in the past year include: • A $7.5 million contribution from Emerson and AT&T. Emerson, a global manufacturing and technology company, and AT&T, the world’s largest communications holding company, provided the funding in support of research and other key initiatives. A Night to Remember Surgery fellow Lora Melman, MD, left, and Mary Lee Hermann demonstrate suturing techniques to Don and DeDe Lambert at the Night of Discovery event held Sept. 25 at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis. Guests at the event, all friends of the Siteman Cancer Center, explored several discovery stations to learn firsthand about new frontiers in cancer research and care. The gift will be used as a challenge to generate $15 million in additional support. • Two endowed chairs established through gifts to the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation. Amy and Bill Koman provided funding for the Koman Chair in Medical Oncology, which was awarded to associate professor Nancy Bartlett, MD, in December 2008. In February 2009, associate professor Jeffrey Bradley, MD, was installed as S. Lee Kling Endowed Chair in Radiation Oncology. That chair was established by multiple donors to honor St. Louis businessman and philanthropist S. Lee Kling, who died in July 2008. • A $445,487 gift from the 2007 QVC Presents “FFANY Shoes on Sale” event, a fund-raiser for breast cancer research and education programs across the country. Siteman is one of the event’s eight beneficiaries. Ron Fromm, past chair of the Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY) board of directors and CEO of Brown Shoe, was instrumental in introducing Siteman to the association in 2005. www.siteman.wustl.edu 23
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