Friends of Cancer Research Newsletter

Zerhouni Testifies and House Fails to Act on FY 2007 Budget Resolution

NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, MD, testified before the House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee on Thursday, April 6. Dr. Zerhouni stressed NIH’s contribution to the nation’s health and economy by highlighting the return on investment of NIH research and describing the health benefits that have come from NIH as a result of the investment in the agency. He pointed out that life expectancy has increased by six years over the past 30 years. Moreover, he discussed how NIH estimated the total cumulative investment at the National Cancer Institute per American over the past 30 years at about $258, or about $9 per American per year for the entire period.

Before adjourning for a two-week recess, House Republican leaders decided not to move forward with a plan to bring the House’s version of a fiscal year (FY) 2007 Budget Resolution to the floor for a vote...[ click for full article.]

Stopping Cancer Before It Starts, A Hill Briefing for Congressional Staffers

Above: Staffers listen as moderator Susan Dentzer asks panelist Dr. Sellers how biomarkers will play a role in prevention of cancer.

On April 5 Friends of Cancer Research hosted a town hall style meeting on cancer prevention and early detection for congressional staffers entitled “Stopping Cancer Before It Starts: Issues on Cancer Prevention for Policy Makers.” Conducted in partnership with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the event was held in the Rayburn House Office Building and drew over 70 people. The discussion panel featured Anna Barker, Ph.D. (NCI), Gary Gordon, M.D. Ph.D. (Abbott Labs), Amy Muhlberg, Ph.D. (Senate HELP committee), Bill Nelson, M.D., Ph.D. (Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins), Tom Sellers, Ph.D. (H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute), and was moderated by Susan Dentzer of the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. [Click for full article.]

Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach Nominated to Permanently Head FDA

On Wednesday, March 15, President Bush nominated Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach to become permanent Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Dr. von Eschenbach is currently Acting Commissioner of the FDA after serving as Director of the National Cancer Institute for over four years. Dr. von Eschenbach spent much of his academic career at the highly prestigious M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston as a nationally recognized urologic surgeon and has contributed more than 200 articles, books, and chapters to the scientific literature. “As an accomplished physician-investigator and three-time cancer survivor, Dr. von Eschenbach will bring a proven background of knowledge and experience on clinical research, clinical practice, and patient care to the FDA,” Friends Chair Dr. Ellen Sigal said of the announcement. She continued, “Having worked with Dr. von Eschenbach in his capacity as Director of the National Cancer Institute, I am confident that he will continue to make sound scientifically-based decisions that will benefit the entire research continuum — from the discovery of new knowledge about the process of disease to the delivery of new, more effective, and safer treatments.” (Picture from www.cancer.gov)

The Changing Face of Scientific Research

A recent article by Steve Lohr (NY Times 4/10/06 U.S. Research Funds Often Lead to Start-Ups. Study Says) describes a changing face of scientific research. A new study, performed by economists from Indiana University and the Max Plank Institute of Economics, shows increasing involvement of academic researchers in the commercial marketplace. The majority of university scientists still pursue patent rights on their ideas and inventions through the traditional method of using the institution’s technology transfer office. However, the study shows that 30 percent of National Cancer Institute grant supported scientists who received patents from 1998-2002 did so independent of their university. Furthermore, one quarter of these scientists turned entrepreneurs had started their own business to commercialize their products. This study provides an interesting aspect of how federal grants lead to product research and development that ultimately has a larger than expected impact on the economy.

For more information:

Link to NY Times article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/10/business/10cancer.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Link to study:

http://www.kauffman.org/pdf/scientist_entrepreneurs_audretsch.pdf

FRIENDS' NEWS

FOCR Board Members Featured in "Extraordinary Women" Book

Friends of Cancer Research Chair, Ellen Sigal, and Board Member, Debbie Dingell, were featured in a recently published book titled, “Extraordinary Women: Fantasies Revealed.” The book profiles 58 nationally renowned female figures such as former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, journalist Ann Curry, feminist Betty Friedan, and writer Cokie Roberts. The women’s profiles, however, are not of the roles they are publicly known for today, but rather the role they envisioned themselves as children. After being asked their childhood fantasy, each woman was photographed in the role – making for an entertaining collection of imaginative pictures where we see Madeline Albright as a chess champion, Joan Rivers as an archeologist, and Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes as a Supreme Court Justice. The juxtaposition of each woman’s childhood aspirations versus their adult accomplishments sets the stage for an insightful and inspirational patchwork of personal narratives demonstrating that “Sometimes a detour leads to an open road.” The book was the vision of two fellow ‘extraordinary’ Washingtonians; Ilene Leventhal and Francine Levinson, who each founded their own non-profit to help D.C.’s less fortunate. Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit their respective organizations; Hand to Hand Eviction Prevention Program and the Metropolitan Police Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, D.C. (Picture from Barnes and Noble's website.)

The book is available to purchase online at: Barnes and Nobles.com

Back to the Future

Friends of Cancer Research is excited to announce it’s selection as a charity recipient of Earthcapsule.com, a website launched in March that provides visitors around the world with an innovative and inexpensive way to preserve their personal messages for future generations to come. The website takes a digital approach to the age-old idea of time capsules using HD-Rom technology and a network of trustees around the world charged with protecting the capsules, which will be deposited around the globe, for fifty years. Earth Capsule’s Charity Network was created to further their mission of preserving culture for tomorrow while helping the citizens of today. For more information on EarthCapsule, please visit: www.earthcapsule.com

Friends Responds to Letters from 7th Grade Class

Anne Frank Diary The staff at Friends of Cancer Research was both surprised and touched this past month to receive letters from a seventh grade class in Madison, Tennessee voicing their support for our mission of advancing cancer research. Written in response to a class assignment titled “Project Empathy” in connection to reading The Diary of Anne Frank, the letters discussed the importance of not standing idle while others are suffering. While many of the students shared their personal connections to cancer, all professed their desire to get involved so that they and others would not have to face cancer in the future. Friends of Cancer Research wrote the class a detailed response explaining how cancer is formed, found, and treated, as well as ways the students themselves could help make their future cancer free. (Picture from The Ann Frank Center's website.)

Science Corner – April 2006

The C-Path Institute: Trailblazing the Critical Path

On March 16, 2006, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) revealed many of the details surrounding its Critical Path Initiative. The Initiative was created to ensure that discoveries made at the basic science level successfully translate into new treatments and tools readily available to the public. Six topic areas were identified as the focal opportunities to improve new medical product development including: biomarker development, streamlining of clinical trials, utilizing bioinformatics, updating manufacturing practices, addressing urgent health concerns, and attention to pediatrics. By further developing each of the six target areas, the FDA hopes to revolutionize the medical product development process. [click for full article]

Dr. William Nelson of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins

Dr. William G. Nelson is Associate Director of Translational Research at The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins. He is also a Professor of Oncology, Urology, Pharmacology, Medicine, Pathology and holds a joint appointment in Environmental Health Sciences at The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Nelson is board certified in medical oncology and internal medicine. He received both his M.D. and Ph.D. in pharmacology from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His research is focused on the early stages of prostate cancer development, specifically methylation changes present in prostate cancer and precursor cells. Detecting such changes may serve as a biomarker useful in the advancement of prostate cancer treatment and prevention.

[Read this month's In The Spotlight]

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

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