Welcome to The James Cancer Network Update!

This e-newsletter provides our affiliates with the most up-to-date, relevant information about the OSUCCC – James, including upcoming events and educational offerings, the latest news and clinical trials, and more.

ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDERS AVAILABLE Via ONLINE 'FIND A DOCTOR’ TOOL

As of Dec. 4, advanced practice provider profiles are live in the Find a Doctor tool on the OSUCCC – James (cancer.osu.edu) and OSUWMC external websites. Although the search for a provider takes place through the Find a Doctor feature, the website clearly identifes the provider’s role/title/credentials and any other necessary information so patients can be confident that they have chosen the right provider for their care.

Learn more »

LONG RECEIVES 2019 ASH SCHOLAR AWARD

Meixiao Long, MD, PhD, a clinical instructor in the Division of Hematology at Ohio State, is the recipient of a 2019 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Scholar Award, one of the most prestigious awards given by ASH. His $150,000 award is in the Basic/Translational Junior Faculty category. The ASH Scholar Award Program funds hematologists in the United States and Canada who conduct basic, translational and clinical research that furthers the understanding and treatment of blood disorders.

Long’s research focuses on developing therapeutics that will help a patient’s immune system naturally fight cancer. Under the direction of John C. Byrd, MD, co-leader of the OSUCCC Leukemia Research Program, Long and colleagues are studying the immune modulatory effects of small molecule kinase inhibitors and their potential for immunotherapy. His ASH Award will help him further his research.

5 MORE POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS AWARDED PELOTONIA FELLOWSHIPS

The Pelotonia Fellowship Program, which provides funding support for Ohio State students in any discipline or scholastic level who want to conduct cancer research with faculty mentors, has awarded two-year fellowships to five more postdoctoral students.

These fellowships are in addition to three others that were awarded in September and boost the total number of postdoctoral fellowships awarded to 112 since the program began in 2010. Altogether, the program over the years has awarded 484 fellowships totaling more than $15 million to 223 undergraduates, 143 graduate students, 112 post-docs and six professional students. Reminder: Registration for this year’s Pelotonia opens Feb. 21.

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PATIENT AND FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER OFFERS VALUABLE SERVICES FOR CAREGIVERS

On average, caregivers of cancer patients provide almost nine hours of care per day, and many caregivers do this while also holding down jobs in the workforce. As you know, caregivers are a vital part of the healthcare team, but many may put their own needs on hold, resulting in emotional and physical fatigue. OSUCCC – James staff can help alleviate some of the caregiver burden by encouraging patients and caregivers to take advantage of services offered by the James Patient and Family Resource Center (PFRC), which is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and located at the east end of The James lobby near the grand staircase. For more information, call 366-0602 or email cancerinfo@osumc.edu.

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FEBRUARY

February 23
INNOVATIONS AND ADVANCEMENTS IN ROBOTIC SURGERY
Offered by Ohio State’s Center for Advanced Robotic Surgery and the Department of Surgery

This course will educate physicians on the technical aspects, potential complications and patient outcomes for advanced robotic procedures through lectures, procedural videos, and question-and-answer sessions. This will allow physicians to gain the information necessary to consider incorporating these advanced procedures into their own practice. A self-assessment evaluation will be used to measure the effectiveness of creating a change in competence.

February 28
RELATIONSHIP-BASED RESILIENCE RETREAT
Offered by The James Department of Professional Practice

This one-day retreat is based on Relationship-Based Care (RBC) principles and focuses on developing resilient and compassionate caregivers/staff. It is intended primarily for staff members who have not attended a two- or three-day RBC retreat in the past.

8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Longaberger Alumni House
2200 Olentangy River Road
Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Register: Sue Hines View the Flier »

MARCH

March 20
NCCN 2019 NURSING PROGRAM: ADVANCING ONCOLOGY NURSING™

This program, which precedes the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Annual Conference (March 21-23) at the same location, will provide oncology nurses with comprehensive and clinically relevant information to optimize patient education and care. Information is focused on current and critical issues to provide practical information that can be implemented in the practice setting.

8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Rosen Shingle Creek
9939 Universal Blvd.
Orlando, Fla.

Register & Info »

March 21–23
NCCN ANNUAL CONFERENCE: IMPROVING THE QUALITY, EFFECTIVENSS, AND EFFICIENCY OF CANCER CARE™

The NCCN Annual Conference: Improving the Quality, Effectiveness and Efficiency of Cancer Care™, attracts more than 1,650 registrants from across the United States and the globe, including oncologists (in both community and academic settings), oncology fellows, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with cancer. Respected opinion leaders present the latest cancer therapies and provide updates on selected NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®), the data upon which the NCCN Guidelines® are based, and quality initiatives in oncology. Topics change annually but focus on the major cancers and supportive care areas.

The Annual Conference General Session will begin on Thursday, March 21, at 8 a.m. and conclude on Saturday, March 23, at 5 p.m. This year's agenda will include 20 educational sessions featuring the latest advances in oncology care, including interactive patient case studies. Stay tuned for a conference agenda and accreditation information.

Rosen Shingle Creek
9939 Universal Blvd.
Orlando, Fla. 32819

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March 26
RELATIONSHIP-BASED RESILIENCE RETREAT
Offered by The James Department of Professional Practice

This one-day retreat is based on Relationship-Based Care (RBC) principles and focuses on developing resilient and compassionate caregivers/staff. It is intended primarily for staff members who have not attended a two- or three-day RBC retreat in the past.

8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Longaberger Alumni House
2200 Olentangy River Road
Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Register: Sue Hines View the Flier

APRIL

April 12 & 13
INNOVATIONS IN MANAGEMENT OF HEAD AND NECK RADIOTHERAPY

This symposium will be taught by national experts and will provide a balanced, multidisciplinary review, discussion and hands-on lab exercises on the state of head and neck radiotherapy. The symposium will include didactic sessions delivered by radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, medical dosimetrists, medical physicists and radiation therapists. During the hands-on live lecture series, participants can gain active participation experience in an environment equipped with state-of-the-art technology through treatment planning systems, patient immobilization systems, motion management strategies and quality assurance. They also will have opportunities to participate in a multi-modality clinical case discussion/review.

Friday, April 12, 7 a.m. to Saturday, April 13, 5 p.m.
800 Goodale Blvd.
Grandview Heights, Ohio 43212

Register »

For a complete list of educational events and lectures, click here.

MERCY HEALTH ST. RITA’S MEDICAL CENTER JOINS THE JAMES CANCER NETWORK

Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center has joined The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute’s (OSUCCC – James) James Cancer Network as an affiliated hospital.

By joining The James Cancer Network, Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Cancer Center will continue to provide advanced comprehensive, state-of-the-art and compassionate cancer care to the community. This affiliation provides Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Cancer Center physicians and patients access to the expertise and sub-specialization at the OSUCCC – James as network members while allowing patients to stay close to home where they will be near their loved ones and support system.

In addition, this affiliation provides Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Cancer Center physicians and patients access to tele-genetics, tele-survivorship care plans and clinical trials.

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MADISON HEALTH’S GRAND OPENING

On Jan. 18, Madison Health held its Grand Opening to reveal its largest expansion since the hospital opened in 1962. The 26,000-square-foot, $25 million project includes a new cancer center, emergency department and medical specialist offices. Along with renovations to the birthing wing and upgrades to the heating, cooling and mechanical systems, the two-story addition, provides a spacious oncology department with recliners where cancer treatments are administrated in 10 bays arranged along a bank of panoramic windows.

“We’ve experienced a lot of growth in the past several years. This project allows us to have the capacity to grow into the future and also expand and meet the community’s needs,” says Dana Engle, CEO of Madison Health.

The 2018-19 OSUCCC – James Grand Rounds series will continue on selected Fridays throughout the academic year. All lectures will be from 8-9 a.m. in L035 James (Wasserstrom Family Conference Room) on the Conference Level unless otherwise noted. Shown below is the next lectur in the series. Watch Cancer Connection and the Weekly Cancer Event Update for updates and additional details.

FEBRUARY 22, 2019
Douglas Yee, MD, director of the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota, and professor of medicine and pharmacology at the University of Minnesota Department of Medicine, will present “What We Learned by Treating Breast Cancer With Insulin-Like Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors.” Dr. Yee also holds the John H. Kersey Chair in Cancer Research. He earned his MD in 1981 from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and received his internal medicine training at the University of North Carolina. He completed his medical oncology training at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md. Prior to coming to Minnesota, he held faculty positions at Georgetown University Medical Center and the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.

OSUCCC JAMES GRAND ROUNDS 8:00 9:00 a.m. L035 James

If you miss a Grand Rounds lecture, you can view the live stream or the on demand recording after each lecture. You will need to sign in and register the first time you view it.

If you have any general questions about Grand Rounds, contact Tamra Brooks.

 PELOTONIA 2019 RIDER REGISTRATION OPENS FEBRUARY 21

Rider registration will open Feb. 21 for Pelotonia 2019, the 11th installment of the annual grassroots cycling event that raises money for cancer research at Ohio State. Visit pelotonia.org, and be sure to join Team Buckeye, the official superpeloton (riding group) of The Ohio State University.

Pelotonia 19 will take place Aug. 2-4 on routes between the Columbus area and Gambier, Ohio, the home to Kenyon College. In its first 10 years, Pelotonia has raised $184 million, including a record $27,400,779 million generated by Pelotonia 18. Every dollar raised by riders, virtual riders and donors goes directly to cancer research at the OSUCCC – James, thanks to Pelotonia’s major sponsors.

Questions? Contact Karl Koon

PELOTONIA RINGS NASDAQ STOCK MARKET OPENING BELL WITH FUNDING PARTNER HUNTINGTON BANK

Pelotonia, a grassroots organization that raises money to accelerate funding for cancer research at Ohio State, opened the NASDAQ Stock Market on Dec. 18 as the guest of its major partner Huntington Bank (Nasdaq: HBAN), one of the nation’s largest banks and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, in a ceremony at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York’s Times Square.

Huntington Bank is one of Pelotonia’s founding funding partners, a philanthropic-minded financial institution that has offered continual and increasing support since the first Pelotonia cycling event in 2009. More than 10,000 Huntington Bank employees have participated as riders. Some 5,000 others have participated as virtual riders, and more than 3,200 have served as volunteers. Collectively, Huntington Bank employees have raised nearly $25.7 million for Pelotonia to support cancer research at Ohio State.

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FEATURED & RECENTLY OPENED CLINICAL TRIALS

FEATURED TRIALS

Open-Label, Dose-Escalation Study of INCB054828 in Subjects With Advanced Malignancies
This study will evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacological activity of INCB054828 in subjects with advanced malignancies. The study will have three parts: dose escalation (Part 1), dose expansion (Part 2) and combination therapy (Part 3).
Read more »

Ponatinib Hydrochloride in Treating Patients With Refractory Metastatic Cancers and Genetic Alterations
This phase II trial will study how well ponatinib hydrochloride works in treating patients with cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic), did not respond to previous treatment (refractory), and has one of several alterations, or mutations, in its deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence. Ponatinib hydrochloride may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking enzymes needed for cell growth. It is not yet known whether a patient's genetic alterations may affect how well ponatinib hydrochloride works.
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Ph II Oral BGJ398 in Patients WithAdvanced/Metastatic Cholangiocarcinoma With FGFR2 Gene Fusions/Alterations
This is a phase II, multicenter, single-arm study of oral BGJ398 in adult patients with advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with FGFR2 gene fusionsor other FGFR genetic alterations who failed or are intolerant to platinum-based chemotherapy.
Read more »

HSP90 Inhibitor AT13387 and Paclitaxel in Treating Patients With Advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
This phase Ib trial studies the side effects and best dose of heat shock protein HSP90 inhibitor AT13387 when given together with paclitaxel in treating patients with triple-negative breast cancer that has spread to other places in the body and usually cannot be cured or controlled with treatment (advanced). HSP90 inhibitor AT13387 works by blocking proper processing of proteins that are important for cancer growth, preventing these proteins from working properly. Paclitaxel kills breast cancer cells by interfering with their abilityto divide. Giving HSP90 inhibitor AT13387 together with paclitaxel may be better in treating patients with breast cancer.
Read more »

RECENTLY OPENED

An Open-Label, First-in-Human Study of the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of VX-970 in Combination With Cytotoxic Chemotherapy in Subjects With Advanced Solid Tumors
Read more »

Multicenter Study of Natalizumab Plus Standard Steroid Treatment for High-Risk Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease
This research trial is designed to study the safety and effectiveness of combining the study drug natalizumab (Tysabri®) with the standard treatment, the use of steroids, as a new treatment for acute graft-versus-host disease (acute GVHD). The most common serious complication after a bone marrow transplant, GVHD occurs when the donor cells (the graft) treat the recipient’s body as "foreign" and attack the cells in the recipient's body. During this immune system response, donor cells damage body tissues, such as the skin, liver, stomach and/or intestines. Acute GVHD can be severe and potentially fatal to the transplant recipient. It usually occurs within the first several months after transplant. The goal of this research is to develop a safer and more effective treatment for acute GVHD, and particularly for acute GVHD that affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, with the ultimate goal being safer and more effective transplant therapies for blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
Read more »

If you would like more information or are interested in referring a patient to one of these trials, click on the PI's name to generate a contact email, reply to this message or call The James Line at 1-800-293-5066. To search all cancer clinical trials available at Ohio State, visit cancer.osu.edu.

2019 Continuing Education Programs for Registered Nurses – James Cancer Network Affiliates
Click here »

JamesCare for Life Presents Online Support Groups
Connect online using chat on your phone or tablet from home or other private location  

Caregiver
Second Tuesday of the Month
6 – 7 p.m

Living With Advanced (chronic, metastatic or incurable cancer)
Third Tuesday of the Month
5 – 6 p.m.

Click here »

The James Cancer Network Patient Education Materials
As a member of The James Cancer Network, affiliate institutions have access to patient education materials developed by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.

The James Patient Education Department provides easy-to-understand health information to help patients and caregivers learn more about cancer and its treatment. These resources were created with James clinical experts and health educators to help patients make informed decisions about their cancer care.

Learn more »

Healing through Art: Creating Tranquility
Thursday, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. EST
1145 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio 43212

Survivors and caregivers will utilize a variety of art modalities to promote self-care around themes such as resilience, peace, mindfulness, finding joy, etc.

• Previous art experience is not required. All art supplies will be provided.
• This event is offered free of charge to adult cancer survivors and caregivers.
• It is facilitated by a board-certified art therapist.

Click here to register »

Introduction to Urban Zen Integrative Therapy
Thursday, Feb. 28, 5:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. EST
Modo Yoga, 1042 Dublin Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43215

Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT) incorporates mindful movement, breath practices, aromatherapy, restorative postures and Reiki. Whether you are in treatment or in need of self-care, learn about UZIT and experience deep relaxation by taking this introductory class, which is offered for free to adult cancer survivors and caegivers.

VIDEO LIBRARY: Check out our growing library of videos from past programs by visiting https://go.osu.edu/JCFLvideos.

Current offerings include:

• Basics of Meal Planning
• Simple Strategies for Daily Cancer-Related Challenges
• Caregiver Programs
• Managing Stress
• One With Daily Challenges
• Healthy Eating for the Cancer Survivor
• Keeping the Weight Off
• Surfing the Web to Find Quality Health Information
• Talking With Children About a Parent’s Cancer Diagnosis

Click here to check out The James Event Calendar.

GENOMIC ANALYSIS IS IMPORTANT EVEN FOR ULTRA-HYPERMUTATED TUMORS PRIOR TO IMMUNE THERAPHY

OSUCCC – James investigators analyzed the cancer genomes of nine metastatic tumors and the pretreatment primary tumor from a deceased patient with a rare form of cancer called interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma. The disease has no standardized treatment.

The samples were obtained through a body donation and autopsy study. The autopsy was carried out within three hours of death, minimizing post-mortem molecular changes.

The analysis revealed that all the tumors were ultra-hypermutated. That is, the cancer cells had more than 100 gene mutations per million DNA bases. Ultra-hypermutated cancers often respond to immune therapy, but this patient’s cancer continued to progress in spite of two courses of immune therapy and targeted agents.In addition, the researchers identified six subpopulations of malignant cells in the tumor samples and the presence of three mutational signatures. They also classified the genetic alterations into those present in all, in some or in individual tumors. These included point mutations in tumor-suppressor genes and probable driver mutations in oncogenes.

The findings are published in the journal Oncotarget.

IBRUTINIB OUTPERFORMS CHEMOIMMUNOTHERAPHY IN OLDER PATIENT WITH CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA

Results from an multi-institutional, phase III clinical trial show that older patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) have a significantly lower rate of disease progression if treated with the newer targeted drug ibrutinib, rather than bendamustine plus rituximab—the regimen previously considered as one of the most effective therapies in this group of patients.

The study, which is the first head-to-head comparison between these treatments, also suggests adding the immune-based therapy rituximab to ibrutinib does not bring additional benefits beyond those seen with ibrutinib alone.

Study results were reported simultaneously at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2018 Annual meeting and in the New England Journal of Medicine on Dec. 1, 2018.

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EWS-FLI1 INCREASES TRANSCRIPTION TO CAUSE R-LOOPS AND BLOCK BRCA1 REPAIR IN EWING SARCOMA

wing sarcoma is an aggressive pediatric cancer of the bone and soft tissue. It results from a chromosomal translocation, predominantly t(11;22)(q24:q12), that fuses the N-terminal transactivation domain of the constitutively expressed EWSR1 protein with the C-terminal DNA binding domain of the rarely expressed FLI1 protein. Ewing sarcoma is highly sensitive to genotoxic agents such as etoposide, but the underlying molecular basis of this sensitivity is unclear. Here, scientists show that Ewing sarcoma cells display alterations in regulation of damage-induced transcription, accumulation of R-loops and increased replication stress. In addition,homologous recombination is impaired in Ewing sarcoma owing to an enriched interaction between BRCA1 and the elongating transcription machinery. Finally, the scientists uncover a role for EWSR1 in the transcriptional response to damage, suppressing R-loops and promoting homologous recombination. Their findings improve the current understanding of EWSR1 function, elucidate the mechanistic basis of the sensitivity of Ewing sarcoma to chemotherapy (including PARP1 inhibitors) and highlight a class of BRCA-deficient-like tumors.

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