June 8, 2012

Announcements

YCC, SCH, and SCRI Sign Agreement

I am pleased to announce that after a year of planning, Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital have signed an agreement with Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) to collaborate.  Our relationship with SCRI will bring their broad clinical trial management experience and knowledge together with Yale's drug discovery expertise to benefit our patients.  

As part of the collaboration, SCRI physician scientists will partner with physician scientists from Yale Cancer Center to discuss strategic scientific priorities and develop clinical research protocols. SCRI's role in the management of the clinical trials office will be to provide assistance in opening research studies at Yale and within their community network, as well as to augment clinical trial availability and participation of patients in Yale's service area.

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Dell Yarbrough to Lead Head and Neck Cancer Program

I am happy to announce that Wendell G. Yarbrough, MD, MMHC, has been proposed for appointment as section chief of otolaryngology at Yale-New Haven Hospital and Yale School of Medicine.  He will also be director of the head and neck cancer program in Smilow Cancer Hospital and co-director of the molecular virology research program for Yale Cancer Center.

Dr. Yarbrough joins us from Vanderbilt University, where he is professor of otolaryngology and of cancer biology. Dr. Yarbrough is also the Ingram Professor of Cancer Research and co-leader of the thoracic and head and neck program at the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center.

I am confident that Dell's experience and leadership and his goals for head and neck cancer research and care will strengthen our head and neck cancer program at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven and look forward to welcoming him on August 1.

ASCO Review on June 22

Members of the Yale Cancer Center faculty will host an ASCO Review CME Symposium on Friday, June 22 at the New Haven Lawn Club. The presentations will include the latest information presented at ASCO earlier this month on the treatment of lung, breast, colorectal, gynecological, prostate cancers and hematological malignancies. Cancer genetics and case studies will also be presented, as well as a lecture on novel agents.

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YCC Retreat Survey

Please take a moment to complete the survey on the Yale Cancer Center Annual Retreat, held on May 15, 2012. The results of the survey will help to plan for next year's retreat and will ensure that we meet the needs of our membership.

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In the News

New antibody drug engages the immune system in fight against cancer

About a quarter of patients with deadly cancers had significant reductions of tumor size after taking a new antibody drug, according to results of a large early-stage clinical trial conducted by scientists from Yale School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and other major institutions. The study appears in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Nearly 300 patients with advanced melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, or renal cell cancer whose cancer progressed after receiving standard treatments were given the drug, which boosts the immune system's capacity to fight cancer.    

The study drug - BMS-936558 - is an antibody designed to block a protein known as "programmed death-1" (PD-1), which is present on the surface of immune lymphocyte cells and inhibits their function. Administration of BMS-936558 is thought to restore the function of cancer-fighting lymphocytes.   

Closer to Free Bike Ride

Employee Profile: Lisa Schlenk

The Employee Profile recognizes the diverse contributions made by Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital staff have to meet our patient care, research, education, and outreach goals. The staff profiled are examples of the great work being done here, and the dedication and values we possess. To suggest someone to be profiled, please contact Emily Fenton.

The Rapid Case Ascertainment (RCA) Shared Resource at Yale Cancer Center facilitates population-based studies of cancer for YCC investigators, as well as outside investigators. Lisa Schlenk is a Research Associate for the RCA and is responsible for obtaining re-approvals from the state of Connecticut, and Connecticut hospitals, for the studies.  She also keeps track of the information throughout the study, such as how many patients are enrolled, and any preliminary results, in order to create a progress report for the hospital's Institutional Review Boards.

"The challenges I face are keeping track of all the studies and meeting the various deadlines.  Each study needs to receive re-approval yearly, and it is my job to make sure this gets done.  It requires you to be very good at coordinating several things at once, and staying organized," said Lisa. Currently she is working on about 20 studies that require annual re-approval.

Lisa has been with the Medical School for 25 years and with the RCA since 2004.  2 years ago she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and commented that she is grateful for all the amazing and caring staff at Smilow, and realizes that the administrative support the RCA provides is an important factor that contributes to cancer research.

Lisa Calvocoressi, PhD, is the Project Director on one of the studies Lisa and the RCA support. She commented, "Lisa Schlenk has re-designed and streamlined much of the reporting that we need to do and we are so fortunate to have such a knowledgeable, organized, and efficient member of the RCA working with us.

In addition to the outstanding quality of her work, Lisa is such a pleasure to work with. She is always willing to extend herself to help others to get the job done while remaining cheerful, upbeat and flexible."

Development Update

First Annual Jim McNiff Golf Outing Yields $18,000 for Closer to Free Fund and Renal Cell Carcinoma Research

Mary McNiff of Orange, CT lost her husband Jim to renal cell carcinoma in 2008.  To honor him and raise funds to support research in this disease area, she recently organized a golf outing at Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course, in Fairfield, CT. The event was an overwhelming success, raising $18,000 in its first year. The proceeds donated to the Closer to Free Fund will cover the costs of important research being conducted by Dr. Harriet Kluger at Yale Cancer Center.  The funds from the Jim McNiff Golf Outing will allow Dr. Kluger to create a renal cancer tissue bank at Yale. The tissue bank will provide her team of investigators access to the important tissue samples used to conduct research in renal cell carcinoma.