AACR Presents Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Awards

Newswise — The American Association for Cancer Research will award 25 Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Awards at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010, held April 17-21 in Washington, D.C.

The award, now in its 25th year, is intended to enhance the education and training of minority researchers, and increase the visibility and recognition of minorities involved in cancer research. It provides funds for the participation of early-career, meritorious minority scientists at the AACR Annual Meeting. Scholars are chosen from minority institutions, universities, colleges and research institutions based on their qualifications, references from mentors and an estimation of the professional benefit to the awardees.

The award is sponsored by a grant from the National Cancer Institute’s Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities.

The recipients of the 2010 Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Awards include:

• Christopher A. Alvarez-Breckenridge, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio Abstract #1514. Oncolytic viral therapy for glioblastoma induces robust natural killer cell activation.

• Charvann K. Bailey, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tenn.Abstract #435. Reduction of the invasive phenotype of SNAIoverexpression human breast cancer cells by peptide aptamer-mediated inhibition of SNAI protein functions.

• Shannon T. Bailey, Ph.D., Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Mass. Abstract #2071. Loss of ER-regulated microRNAs is fundamental to hormone-independent breast cancer cells.

• Amy M. Belton, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md.Abstract #4243. HMGA1: A driver of the stem cell phenotype in intestinal crypt cells and colon cancer?

• Raul D. Bernabe-Dones, Ph.D., University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto RicoAbstract #5359. HPV 16 infection and physical status in Hispanic patients with colorectal cancer; A case-control study.

• Adu M. Boachie, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tenn.Abstract #1231. Nuclear factor I family members interact with FoxA1 to regulate androgen responsive promoters.

• Eileen J. Brantley, Ph.D., Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, Calif.Abstract #3658. 5F 203 modulates oxidative stress, induces single-strand break formation and promotes mitochondrial membrane potential loss in sensitive breast cancer cells.

• Jamaica D. Cass, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada Abstract #993. A novel cadherin-dependent Rac/Stat3 pathway in invasive breast cancer.

• David A. Cavazos, Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas Abstract #59. Impact of omega-3 fatty acids on obesity-induced DNA oxidation and prostate cancer progression. Abstract #1873. Delayed progression to hormone-independent prostate cancer through modulation of mTor by omega-3 fatty acids.Abstract #2472. The role of aging T-cells in prostate cancer development.

• Valerie A. Cortez, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TexasAbstract #4613. Targeting ER-KDM1 axis to sensitize therapy resistant breast cancer cells to hormonal therapy.

• Roslyn N. Crowder, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.Abstract #1042. Diminished caspase 8 and c-Myc protein expression in human fibroblasts provides insight into normal cell resistance to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis.

• Tsogzolmaa Dorjgochoo, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.Abstract #1020. Combined effects of BCL-2 pathway gene variants on the risk of endometrial cancer: Results from Shanghai Endometrial Cancer Study.

• Carla V. Finkielstein, Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.Abstract #1070. Circadian transcriptional factor Period 2 modulates cyclin B1 expression.

• Gennifer D. Goode, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tenn.Abstract #4077. Knockdown of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor altered tumorgenic properties of human breast carcinoma cell lines.

• Wenndy Hernandez, M.S., The University of Chicago, Chicago, Ill. Abstract #4725. Interrogating region 4 of 8q24.13 for prostate cancer risk in African Americans.

• Yolanda M. N. Hillocks, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md.Abstract #4916. MAL, a frequently methylated gene marker for early detection of breast cancer.

• Sylvestor A. Moses, M.S., The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, Ariz.Abstract #1559. Targeting the PH domain of Tiam-1 to inhibit cancer metastasis.

• Leticia M. Nogueira, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TexasAbstract #2930. Calorie restriction and rapamycin, but not exercise, inhibit MMTV-Wnt-1 mammary tumor growth in a mouse model of postmenopausal obesity.

• Russell K. Pachynski, M.D., Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.Abstract #2939. Leukocyte chemoattractant chemerin as a novel immunotherapeutic agent.

• Beatriz Pagan-Ortiz, Ponce School of Medicine, Ponce, Puerto RicoAbstract #1563. Role of EGFR during the transition of inflammation to dysplasia in a colitis-associated colon cancer model.

• Timothy A. Raines, North Carolina Agriculture & Technical State University, Greensboro, N.C.Abstract #5138. The regulation of CD44 expression in malignant brain tumor cells.

• Stefanie L. Raymond-Whish, Ph.D., The University of Arizona, Phoenix, Ariz.Abstract #1131. ING4 attenuates breast cancer cell growth in Matrigel by altering Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway.

• Jean-Claude M. Rwigema, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.Abstract #1404. Mitochondrial- targeted nitroxide JP4-039 ameliorates irradiation-induced delay in bone wound healing and inhibits orthotopic tumor growth.

• Yeidyly Vergne, M.P.H., Ponce School of Medicine, Ponce, Puerto RicoAbstract #976. Consumption of vitamins and calcium reduces breast cancer risk by their regulation of the DNA repair capacity.

• Rachel L. Zenuk, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz.Abstract #2806. Factors that influence screening mammography among African American and Mexican American women with breast cancer: Findings from the ELLA Binational Breast Cancer Survey.

Download interviews with cancer researchers and recordings of the teleconferences by subscribing to the AACR Scientific Podcasts via iTunes (http://www.aacr.org/itunes) or an RSS Reader (http://www.aacr.org/rss).

The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, the AACR is the world’s oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The membership includes 31,000 basic, translational and clinical researchers; health care professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and more than 90 other countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise from the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer through high-quality scientific and educational programs. It funds innovative, meritorious research grants, research fellowship and career development awards. The AACR Annual Meeting attracts more than 17,000 participants who share the latest discoveries and developments in the field. Special conferences throughout the year present novel data across a wide variety of topics in cancer research, treatment and patient care. The AACR publishes six major peer-reviewed journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention; and Cancer Prevention Research. The AACR also publishes CR, a magazine for cancer survivors and their families, patient advocates, physicians and scientists. CR provides a forum for sharing essential, evidence-based information and perspectives on progress in cancer research, survivorship and advocacy.