Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation
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Committed to providing the highest quality care based on cutting edge research to patients with cancer or non-malignant hematologic diseases such as sickle cell disease
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Dedicated to advancing research on the biological underpinnings of cancer, stem cell biology, sickle cell anemia, endothelial cell biology, and tumor immunology
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Over 50 full-time academic investigators involved in interdisciplinary research and patient care are devoted to training the next generation of academic leaders
Announcements
David Potter, MD, PhD, received a grant from the Department of Defense to study a new treatment for breast cancer. Breast cancers are classified according to their expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), or a protein called HER2. There are currently no effective treatments for breast cancers that are ER-positive and HER2-negative. Dr. Potter and his research team will investigate whether a new drug known as HBB restores the function of the immune system in animal models of ER-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer. By restoring the function of cancer-killing immune cells, HBB may enhance the effectiveness of existing drugs that prevent tumor cells from hiding from the immune system. This two-pronged approach of restoring the function of cancer-killing immune cells and preventing tumors from hiding from the immune system is the hypothesis driving Dr. Potter's research program. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Potter as he continues to develop better treatments for breast cancer.
March 2019
Emil Lou, MD, PhD, received an AACR-Novocure Tumor Treating Fields Research Grant from the American Associate for Cancer Research (AACR). Novocure, an oncology company pioneering the use of tumor treating fields as a novel approach to solid tumor therapy, has partnered with the AACR to support innovative research focused on tumor treating fields (TTFields). TTFields are intermediate frequency, low intensity, alternating electric fields that disrupt cell division in cancer cells. With the support of this grant, Dr. Lou and his research team will determine the effects of TTFields on cell proliferation and cell-to-cell communication via tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) in a unique three-dimensional in vitro model of the extracellular matrix. TNTs facilitate intercellular transfer of vital cellular cargo responsible for cell proliferation, metastasis, and chemoresistance. By identifying the effects of TTFields on TNTs in a robust model of the tumor microenvironment, Dr. Lou will establish a rationale for testing novel therapeutic combinations of TTFields with TNT-targeting drugs. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Lou on the receipt of this important award.
March 2019
The American Society of Hematology (ASH) selected Zachary Kiser, PhD, to participate in the ASH Congressional Fellowship program. Dr. Kiser is currently a post-doctoral fellow in the NIH-funded Hematology Research Program, where he collaborates with Greg Vercellotti, MD, and John Belcher, PhD, to develop novel treatments to improve the lives of patients with sickle cell disease. As the ASH Congressional Fellow, Dr. Kiser will spend an entire academic year in Washington, DC, working in a congressional office to contribute to health care and hematology policy. Dr. Kiser intends to continue to refine his advocacy skills with the goal of bringing a much-needed research scientist perspective to the policy-making process and impressing upon members of Congress the amazing work that hematologists do every day. Please join us in wishing Dr. Kiser success as he begins this new journey in his career.
April 2019