For Immediate Release
May 31, 2007

 BUFFALO, NY – Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) has awarded $20,000 in Institutional Research Grants (IRGs) to Andrei Bakin, PhD, Department of Cancer Genetics; Wendy Huss, PhD, Department of Urologic Oncology; and Nithya Ramnath, MD, Department of Medicine. The IRGs are funded by a three-year $120,000 grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS) and devoted solely to supporting novel projects for junior RPCI faculty. Youcef M. Rustum, PhD, Senior Vice President for Science Administration, RPCI, coordinates the ACS grant.

Dr. Andrei Bakin will examine the “Control of Energy Metabolism in Cancer Progression” to identify new metastasis markers and develop approaches for preventing metastasis.

Dr. Wendy Huss will study “Targeting Malignant Prostate Stem Cells as a Therapy for Prostate Cancer” to facilitate development of new approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. 

Dr. Nithya Ramnath will conduct “A Phase I/II Study of IV Calcitriol with Fixed Dose of Docetaxel and Cisplatin in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer” to evaluate whether the addition of calcitriol (Vitamin D) will improve the efficacy of the two chemotherapy drugs.

“The ACS grants provide seed funding for young investigators to pursue novel investigations, thus giving this research an opportunity to mature to the next level,” said Dr. Rustum. “An investment of grant funding in the work of these skilled scientists allows Roswell Park to continue its commitment to prepare the next generation of scientists in the study of cancer.”

Since 1946, the American Cancer Society has invested $3 billion in cancer research and is the leading private, not-for-profit, non-government funder of cancer research in the United States.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. The American Cancer Society Eastern Division has 46 community-based offices, involving thousands of volunteers throughout New York and New Jersey. For 24-hour cancer information, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers. Roswell Park has affiliate sites and collaborative programs in New York, Pennsylvania, and in China. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org.

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