Before we begin planning Yale Cancer Center Grand Rounds for the 2011-2012 academic year, we would like to ask you to take a few minutes to complete a brief survey.

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Smilow Town Hall

I look forward to seeing all of you at our Smilow Cancer Hospital Town Hall meeting, which has been rescheduled to Wednesday, March 2 at 11:30 AM in the auditorium at 55 Park Street.

YCC Annual Retreat

Please save the date for our annual scientific retreat on Tuesday, May 31, at Yale's West Campus.

Research in the News

Scientists Synthesize Anticancer Agent

A team of Yale University scientists has synthesized for the first time a chemical compound called lomaiviticin aglycon, leading to the development of a new class of molecules that appear to target and destroy cancer stem cells.

Led by chemist Seth Herzon, the group managed to create lomaiviticin aglycon for the first time, opening up new avenues of exploration into novel chemotherapies that could target cancer stem cells, thought to be the precursors to tumors in a number of different cancers including ovarian, brain, lung, prostate, and leukemia.

In addition to lomaiviticin aglycon, Herzon's team also created smaller, similar molecules that have proven extremely effective in killing ovarian stem cells, explained Gil Mor, MD, PhD, a member of Yale Cancer Center who is collaborating with Herzon to test the new class of molecules' potential as a cancer therapeutic.

Lynn Tanoue, MD, Professor of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care, and Co-Director of the Thoracic Oncology Program, will be awarded The Connecticut Thoracic Society Award for dedication and service to the Connecticut Thoracic Society and the field of pulmonary medicine. Dr. Tanoue will receive the honor at the annual Breath of Spring Gala on April 8 in Simsbury.

Michele Dingus has been promoted to an Accountant (II) position in the Cancer Center.

Liz Vastakis will be leaving Yale Cancer Center after 11 years in the medical oncology business office to take an accounting position in Microbial Pathogenesis.

All inquiries should be directed to Jennifer Mulligan until Liz's position has been filled.

Principal Investigator:

A Multi-Center, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Pilot Study of the Effect of Sorafenib on Portal Pressure in Patients with Cirrhosis, Significant Portal Hypertension and HCC Treated with Ablative Therapy and/or Transarterial Chemoembolization

HIC 1004006704

Principal Investigator:

A Phase II Evaluation of Trastuzumab in Patients with HER2 Positive Persistent or Recurrent Vulvar Paget's Disease

HIC 1010007480

Principal Investigator:

A Prospective Study of Risk-Reducing Salpingo-Oophorectomy (RRSO) and Longitudinal CA-125 Screening Among Women at Increased Genetic Risk of Ovarian Cancer: Extended Follow-up of Select GOG-0199 Study Participants

HIC 1007007038

Principal Investigator:

A Phase III Randomized Trial of Lobectomy Versus Sublobar Resection for Small (< 2 CM) Peripheral Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (CALGB 140503)

HIC 1007007139

Principal Investigator:

A Dose Finding and Phase II Study of AZD6244 (Hyd-Sulfate) in Combination with Irinotecan in 2nd Line Patients with K-ras or B-raf Mutation Positive Advanced or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer