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The aim of personalizing cancer treatments by targeting genomic mutations in the cancer has seen rapid advances in recent years. However, many of these targeted cancer therapies have been more frequently identified for adult patients. Recognizing a need to further explore genomic profiling in pediatric malignancies, the Hugs for Brady Foundation has committed $300,000 to the precision medicine initiative at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

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Sharon Manne, PhD, a nationally-recognized researcher with a behavioral science focus, has been elevated to the position of Associate Director for Cancer Prevention, Control and Population Science at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. A professor of medicine, Dr. Manne also serves as chief of the Section of Population Studies at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

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A $3.2 million grant from the National Cancer Institute awarded to Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey research member Shawna V. Hudson, PhD, will support the development of new technology and a comprehensive education program to address the healthcare management needs of cancer survivors. The initiative involves the development of a web and ‘smart phone’ application and a health coaching component with survivors via phone conversation.

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Research from Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey demonstrates that using zebrafish to identify self-renewing tumor stem cells in prostate cancers may be more beneficial than using traditional experimental models when aiming to predict response to therapy.

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A pair of researchers at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey has been awarded nearly $2.5 million dollars from the National Institutes of Health to further study in their respective laboratories. X.F. Steven Zheng, PhD, was awarded $1.65 million to examine an activating mechanism of the mTOR protein, which is a central controller of cell growth and metabolism. Darren R. Carpizo, MD, PhD, was awarded nearly $800,000 to further explore the effects of a compound identified in Dr. Carpizo’s laboratory found to restore tumor suppressor function of a mutated p53 gene in cancer cells.

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“Doing good never tasted so great!” That’s the message from Panera Bread® bakery-cafés in an effort to highlight breast cancer awareness in area communities during the month of October. The annual campaign features the local sale of the Pink Ribbon Bagel -- proceeds from which will benefit breast cancer research and patient education programs at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

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Antoinette M. Stroup, PhD, has joined Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the state Department of Health to lead the New Jersey State Cancer Registry, whose cancer surveillance team collects and analyzes cancer incidence and survival data across the state. In her new role, Dr. Stroup will oversee the Registry, which serves as a local and national resource for population-based epidemiological studies into the causes, treatments and outcomes in patients with cancer.

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Several physicians at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey have been named as a ‘Top Doctor’ by 'Inside Jersey' magazine. The doctors were selected, based on peer nominations that highlighted board certification, clinical skills, training, years in practice, achievements and other criteria.

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The New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR) has awarded Janice Thomas, PhD, a post-doctoral fellow in the X.F. Steven Zheng laboratory at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey a two-year $100,000 grant (#DFHS13PPCO32) to further examine the impact of a protein ‘trigger’ involved in the regulation of cell function in breast cancer.

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David J. Foran, PhD, chief informatics officer at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, has been awarded a $2 million competitive renewal grant from the National Institutes of Health to expand work on developing computational tools for classifying different types of cancers. The primary focus is to design, develop and implement state-of-the-art imaging and computational tools for characterizing cancers of the breast, head and neck, ovaries, prostate and skin.

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New research from Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Princeton University and other collaborators suggests that inactivation of an essential gene responsible for the cell survival process known as autophagy can suppress the growth of non-small-cell lung cancer tumors and render them more benign. The findings suggest a possible role for autophagy blockers in the treatment of this type of lung cancer, which has a five-year survival rate of only 30 to 50 percent for early-stage disease.

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Building off of its Continuing Umbrella for Research Education Program that encourages underrepresented minority undergraduate and high school students to pursue careers in healthcare, the Cancer Institute of New Jersey is offering a related program focusing on clinical research. The Clinical Research Experience for High School Students program aims to expose students to careers available in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields.

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Darren Carpizo, MD, PhD, a surgical oncologist in the Liver Cancer and Bile Duct Cancer Care Program at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Sidney Kimmel Foundation for Cancer Research to further explore the effects of a compound identified in his laboratory found to restore tumor suppressor function of a mutated gene in cancer cells.

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The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is one of 50 sites across the nation to offer a clinical trial known as COMET-2 that examines whether the drug cabozantinib is effective in reducing bone pain in patients with prostate cancer that is no longer responsive to hormone therapy and has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body. Researchers will compare results in patients receiving cabozantinib to those in patients who are receiving a standard treatment of mitoxantrone and prednisone for pain.

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David J. Foran, PhD, has been appointed Chief Informatics Officer and Executive Director of Biomedical Informatics and Computational Imaging for The Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Dr. Foran’s laboratory engages in the development of high-throughput, imaging, data-mining and computational tools for classifying malignancies and stratifying biomarker expression signatures from disease onset throughout progression. In his new role, Foran will oversee the Institute’s Information, Science and Technology Department as well as its Bioinformatics Program.

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A $100,000 gift from the Val Skinner Foundation is helping to drive discoveries in precision medicine at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Drilling down to the tiniest of details in examining molecular and genomic information within individual cancers, investigators aim to identify genomic changes and patterns that may influence treatment decisions and potential outcomes.

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The annual Century for the Cure bike ride that has raised more than $1 million since 2005 for research at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is now making it possible for new scientific exploration in the area of hematologic malignancies. The ‘Century for the Cure Research Award’ is aimed at enhancing basic and translational research not previously focused on in the area of blood cancers. This year’s award recipients are from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

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From treatment, to research, to education, the expertise of oncology nurses in managing cancer runs the gamut. To celebrate the dedication of these professionals, The Cancer Institute of New Jersey this week honored members of its nursing team with its annual Oncology Nursing Excellence Awards, which are scholarships awarded to outstanding nurses for various levels of nursing expertise.

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Research by investigators at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey shows that a favorable response to chemotherapy given prior to definitive surgery (neoadjuvant) in patients whose breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes may warrant a new surgical approach. The researchers say such a shift could spare these patients the complications often associated with the standard procedure, which is a full axillary dissection (removal of all of the lymph nodes in the arm-pit). The results are part of a poster presentation being given at the 14th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons being held in Chicago through Sunday.

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A nationally-recognized expert in tobacco control has been named as co-leader of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Cristine Delnevo, PhD, MPH, professor and chair of health education/behavioral science and director of the Center for Tobacco Surveillance & Evaluation Research at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Public Health, was recently appointed by Cancer Institute of New Jersey Director Robert S. DiPaola, MD.

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The Cancer Institute of New Jersey welcomes Shore Medical Center as its latest Network affiliate – broadening its reach throughout the Garden State and providing Shore Medical Center’s patients with access to the latest state-of-the art clinical and research capabilities.

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They are key members of the healthcare team who face ongoing challenges on how best to provide optimum care to patients affected by cancer. Oncology nurses at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey continually strive to improve patient care and have recently explored how to better combat patient fatigue, the importance of documenting sleep-wake disturbances and the development of a toolkit to help patients better follow their oral treatment schedule during clinical trials. Their research on these topics is being presented at the Oncology Nursing Society’s Annual Congress.

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Research from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey shows that U.S. Hispanics who speak English are less likely to engage in skin cancer prevention practices and more likely to put themselves at risk for skin cancer as compared to Spanish-speaking Hispanics who live in this country. Investigators say their findings show a need to consider linguistic acculturation – the way one adapts to the multiple languages to which he or she is exposed – in developing interventions for this population.

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The Cancer Institute of New Jersey joins communities, schools and other institutions across the nation in recognizing National Library Week (April 14 - 20). The Cancer Institute of New Jersey houses its own library known as the Resource and Learning Center, which provides a source of comfort and information for many patients and family members unfamiliar with the many aspects of cancer.

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The Cancer Institute of New Jersey has been named as the recipient of the 2013 Oncology Nursing Society’s (ONS) Employer Recognition Award in the medium size employer category. The honor -- to be formally presented at the ONS Annual Congress being held later this month in Washington, D.C. -- acknowledges institutions that support the vision, mission and values of the nursing organization.

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Cancer education advocates across the nation will be focusing on cancer of the testes during Testicular Cancer Awareness Week (April 1 – 7). The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is making experts available to discuss various aspects of this disease, which, according to the National Cancer Institute, is the most common cancer among men between ages 20 and 34.

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April marks National Cancer Control Month, which focuses on the importance of prevention, treatment and research in the fight against cancer. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is making experts available to discuss varied topics relating to these areas, including genomics research which aims to identify mutations that drive cancer; a comprehensive overview of genetic testing and counseling; the benefits of early detection through cancer screening; and how to make nutritional lifestyle changes aimed at cancer prevention.

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One may not think of probiotics -- like those found in yogurt that promote good digestive health -- as a weapon used in the fight against cancer. But that is the focus of investigators at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, who are examining the effectiveness of probiotics as they relate to the outcomes of bone marrow transplant for patients with blood cancers.

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In what is believed to be a first of its kind study, a research member at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and colleagues have found that a trend of smokers relighting cigarettes is related to economic factors, and the practice has implications for tobacco dependence treatment and policy.

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One of the hallmarks of a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center like The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, is the unique oncology expertise exhibited by its clinical team – including pharmacists. As the only such center in the state, The Cancer Institute demonstrates this excellence by having four pharmacists certified as Board Certified Oncology Pharmacists. The BCOP certification is held by only 1,095 pharmacists in the nation – the highest concentration of which (29) are from New Jersey.

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Experts at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey are available for comment on tobacco cessation efforts, the development of lung cancer and other health effects of smoking leading up to the Annual ‘Kick Butts Day’ which will be observed nationwide on March 20.

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New research from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey suggests that more stringent criteria may be needed for African American men with prostate cancer when considering active surveillance of the disease.

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Investigators working on the precision medicine initiative at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey are embarking on a genomic analysis study which could illuminate more options in developing personalized and precise treatments for cancer patients. It is believed that some rare and poor prognosis cancers that currently have limited treatment options may harbor genomic changes that can potentially be treated with specific targeted therapies. Through Next Generation Sequencing and data analysis of DNA in tissue samples, researchers aim to identify these changes in order to guide treatment.

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While the exact cause of most colorectal cancers is not known, risk factors include poor diet, lack of exercise, and having polyps in the colon or rectum areas. Those over age 50 also are at increased risk. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is making experts available to discuss risk factors, treatment and prevention options surrounding colorectal cancer.

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March is National Nutrition Month®. “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day” is the national theme for this year’s month-long reminder that good nutrition is essential for your health. Throughout the month, experts from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey will be available to discuss the importance of a healthy diet and its role in cancer prevention.

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The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and its System Partner Meridian Health are working together on two research studies to examine factors related to the early development of breast cancer. The studies aim to understand how lifestyle and genetic factors impact the chances of developing cancer so that better prevention strategies can be developed.

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Sharon Pine, PhD, a researcher at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey has been awarded a two-year, $80,000 dollar research grant from the Prevent Cancer Foundation to study the early detection and prevention of lung cancer. Dr. Pine’s team will examine changes in mitochondrial DNA for potential biomarkers that could yield clues about lung cancer detection in current smokers, former smokers and in those who never smoked.

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Expanding a vital component of its research enterprise, The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is welcoming systems biologist Elke K. Markert, PhD, to its Center for Systems Biology. Dr. Markert, who has an extensive mathematics background, was most recently at the Simons Center for Systems Biology at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.

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The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Cooper University Hospital -- a Major Clinical Research Affiliate of The Cancer Institute of New Jersey -- are working together on a non-therapy research study that examines factors related to the early development of breast cancer in African American women. Investigators will explore how these factors compare to those in Caucasian women.

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Helping to make a positive local impact in the fight against cancer, Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company has once again raised $50,000 through its annual ‘Quotes for a Cure’ campaign to benefit The Cancer Institute of New Jersey. This year’s effort brings the total amount raised over the past four years to $150,000.

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For the second consecutive year, The Cancer Institute of New Jersey has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the non-profit entity the Breast Cancer Alliance. The grant, which supports the institute’s Breast Surgery Fellowship Program, is for academic year 2013-2014. The one-year program provides surgeons who have completed their general surgery residency with advanced training and experience that prepares them to provide comprehensive care specifically for patients with breast disease.

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Cancer takes the lives of some 7.6 million people worldwide each year. And while the upcoming World Cancer Day will focus on a global message of cancer awareness and prevention, the importance of cancer research also will resonate. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is pursuing new discoveries through genomic analysis and zebrafish study.

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In what is believed to be the first study to describe the impact on men with a ‘high’ risk of bone fracture who are receiving long-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer, new research from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey shows this population to have a higher fracture incidence following treatment completion. The findings appear in the latest online version of BJU International.

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Research from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey shows that an ultra-shortened, accelerated breast irradiation treatment using a balloon device is both logistically achievable and tolerable. The work will be offered during a poster presentation at the 35th Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium this week.

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Eileen White, PhD, associate director for basic science at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and professor of molecular biology and biochemistry at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and colleagues from Princeton University have been awarded a new five-year, $2.4 million dollar research grant from the National Cancer Institute. The funding will support research to identify metabolic vulnerabilities of particularly aggressive cancers – those with mutations in the Ras cancer gene.

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Marking a major milestone in what has become a fast-growing standard of care in prostate cancer surgery, the chief of urologic oncology at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey has completed his 1,000th robotic prostatectomy at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, the Flagship Hospital of The Cancer Institute of New Jersey.Robotic prostatectomy allows a surgeon to control a set of robotic arms that hold tiny surgical instruments used to remove the patient's cancer. Unlike the traditional open method of prostate surgery that results in a six-inch scar in the abdominal area, patients who undergo this minimally-invasive surgical technique are left with incisions smaller than a dime.

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Every two seconds, someone in the United States is in need of blood. With just one donation of a pint of blood, up to three lives can be saved. Donating blood throughout the year is extremely important. But remembering to give really matters during the holiday season when donor turnout usually takes a plunge because of inclement weather, busy shopping schedules, and the arrival of flu season. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is making experts available to comment on the importance and uses of blood donations.

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Research from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey shows that women with triple-negative breast cancer and no more than three positive lymph nodes following a mastectomy have a higher risk of local recurrence than similar women whose disease is not classified as triple-negative. The work will be presented as an abstract during the 54th Annual Scientific Meeting of ASTRO.

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Songbing Qin, MD, a visiting scientist to The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, has received the International – U.S. Annual Meeting Scientific Abstract Award at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). Dr. Qin was selected for his submission “Motion Pattern for Liver Tumor and its Correlation to External Surrogates.”

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Nationally, more than 160,000 lung cancer deaths are expected by years end, accounting for 28 percent of all cancer deaths. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is making experts available to discuss the risk factors surrounding the disease, as well as treatment and prevention options, during this National Lung Cancer Awareness Month.