The document provides updates from various departments at the Kimmel Cancer Center. It announces new treatments for prostate cancer including high intensity focused ultrasound. It highlights advances in areas like radiation oncology, integrative medicine, and stem cell research. It recognizes support from donors and announces new rankings for cancer care.

1. Dear Friends,
From the Director
Richard G. Pestell MB, BS, MD, PhD, FRACP
Our Summer issue highlights
important new treatments
for prostate cancer from the
Department of Urology, including
high intensity focused ultrasound.
The Department of Radiation
Oncology Chairman, Dr. Adam
Dicker, highlights Dr. Yan Yu’s
pioneering discoveries in Radiation Oncology and
Medical Physics. Additionally, a clinical trial at the
Myrna Brind Center using intravenous Vitamin C, led
by Dr. Daniel Monti and an innovative bone marrow
transplant approach led by Dr. Neal Flomenberg,
Chair of the Department of Medical Oncology, are
two key examples of the ways in which the KCC is
better serving our patients. Dr. Rao outlines several
firsts in breast cancer imaging.
We are delighted to announce the formation of the new
Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Center
at Jefferson, led by renowned physician/scientist Dr.
Michael Lisanti.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of our donors
and volunteers. A new relationship with
www.Igive.com allows 680 stores to contribute to the
KCC when you shop online. We would like to extend
a special ‘thank you’ to Esther Damaser for sharing her
story with us and with all Friends of the Kimmel Cancer
Being diagnosed with cancer is one of the most confronting events that
can happen to an individual. At the moment of diagnosis you are both
confused and shocked. It doesn’t quite make sense the first time, you are
bewildered, until it finally starts to sink in, until you take ownership of
those 6 letters and decide that your only choice is to fight.
It is at this point that cancer becomes a focus to the average person.
Understanding it? We don’t think we need to, until it affects us. What
does the average person know about cancer? Usually it’s just the statistics,
drummed into our busy lives, that somehow stick. 1 in 11 women will
develop breast cancer, 1 in 6 men will develop prostate cancer and more
than 50,000 people will die this year from colon cancer.
Esther Damaser’s story is a triumph – because she and her family, single
handedly, decided to fight, decided to learn everything possible and as
a result she beat the statistics.
It was just another day for 45 year old Esther Damaser when she took
her three children to have their eyes examined. As an afterthought
she had made an appointment to have her eyes checked as well. Her
ophthalmologist saw a potentially cancerous mass in her eye. A
melanoma had developed. She was subsequently diagnosed with “Uveal
Melanoma”.
Thankfully her
family was with her
and at that point,
Esther and her
husband Harvey
made a decision
that was the best
thing they could
have done. There
would be no secrets
from their children
who were 12, 15
and 16. She told the
whole family she
had cancer, and it
became their fight
together.
BEATING THE
ODDS WITH
KCC’S MELANOMA
CENTER OF
EXCELLENCE
Help the KCC ‘GO GREEN’
Save paper by receiving the next
KCC magazine via email
~ save the trees ~
Register online at our website
www.kimmelcancercenter.org/about/magazine/
Center.
Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital was ranked 28th
in the
U.S.News & World Report for Best
Hospitals : Cancer. Thank you for
your continued support, helping
us to attain this score.
Kind regards,
Richard Pestell
Summer 2008
Esther and Harvey with their daughter and grandchild
(Story continued onpage 11)
THE KIMMEL CANCER CENTER MAGAZINE
Join the Friends
of the Kimmel
Cancer Center
online at www.
KimmelCancer
Center.org/about/
friends
You can also find
us on Facebook!

2. Yan Yu, Ph.D., M.B.A. Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, has been promoted to the
position of Director, Division of Medical Physics. Dr. Yu completed his Clinical Medical Physics
Residency in our department and was truly an outstanding resident. He returned to Jefferson in
2006 after twelve years at the University of Rochester. He is a leader in Radiation Oncology, and
has built a truly international reputation as a medical physicist working in this field. He is an expert
in the field of robotics and has successfully coupled this methodology with our research interest in
the use of Brachytherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer.
With the approval of the Jefferson Medical College Executive Council, Scot Fisher, D.O., was
appointed to the newly created position of Director of Radiation Oncology Affiliate Centers. In
this new role, he will oversee the day-to-day operations at our Radiation Oncology Centers at the
Methodist Hospital Division, Lower Bucks, Frankford-Torresdale, and Riddle Memorial Hospitals.
Dr. Fisher brings an in-depth knowledge, experience and outstanding leadership skills to this
position. He will continue to serve as an Associate Professor in the Department and as the Medical
Director of our radiation oncology facility at Frankford-Torresdale Hospital.
The promotion of Ya Wang, M.D., Ph.D. to the position of Director, Division of Experimental
Radiation Oncology was also approved earlier this year by the Medical College Executive Council.
Dr. Wang will continue to serve as an Associate Professor in the Radiobiology Division of our
Department. She has an international reputation as an outstanding researcher and educator in her
field.
This outstanding leadership will continue to guide the Department of Radiation Oncology, leading
the country in fundamental new treatments for our patients.
KCC Member
Department Chairs
Director Kimmel Cancer Center
Chairman Cancer Biology
Richard G. Pestell, M.D., Ph.D.
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jeffrey Benovic, Ph.D.
Dermatology & Cutaneous Biology
Jouni J. Uitto, M.D., Ph.D.
Family & Community Medicine
Richard C. Wender, M.D.
Health Policy
David B. Nash, M.D., M.B.A.
Medical Oncology
Neal Flomenberg, M.D.
Microbiology & Immunology
Timothy Manser, Ph.D.
Myrna Brind Center of Integrative
Medicine
Daniel Monti, M.D.
Neurosurgery
Robert H. Rosenwasser, M.D.
Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery
William M. Keane, M.D.
Pathology
Fred Gorstein, M.D.
Pharmacology & Experimental
Therapeutics
Scott Waldman, M.D., Ph.D.
Radiation Oncology
Adam Dicker, M.D., Ph.D
Radiology
Vijay Rao, M.D.
Surgery
Charles Yeo, M.D.
Urology
Leonard G. Gomella, M.D.
2
The Department of Urology, part of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson
has been chosen as one of a limited number of study sites where prostate
cancer patients can be treated with a new technique known as High Intensity
Focused Ultrasound (HIFU). This Phase Three clinical trial will study HIFU
as an effective treatment for low-risk prostate cancer and an alternative to
surgery, radiotherapy or cryosurgery. Jefferson urologists are currently enrolling
participants who have localized prostate cancer into this study.
“It’s widely used in Europe and has proved to be effective and less invasive,” said urologist Edouard J. Trabulsi, M.D., (pictured
below right) Assistant Professor of Urology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, and a Principal Investigator
at Jefferson. The sponsor of the trial, EDAP Technomed, is seeking FDA approval to offer this treatment to men in the United
States.
Therapeutic ultrasound has often been used as a minimally invasive or non-invasive method to deposit acoustic energy into various
tissues to treat tissue ablation, uterine fibroids and hyperthermia. In HIFU treatment, ultrasound beams are administered through
a trans-rectal probe and focused into the prostate to kill any present tumors. Due to the significant amount of energy focused,
the temperature within the tissue rises to near boiling in a few seconds, destroying the diseased tissue by coagulative necrosis.
Additionally, each application of the beams treats a precisely defined portion of the targeted tissue.
In most cases, HIFU is a one-time procedure performed on an outpatient basis under spinal or general anesthesia. Unlike radiotherapy,
From the Department of Urology
- Leonard Gomella M.D.
HIFU is non-ionizing, meaning HIFU may also be used as a salvage technique if other prostate cancer treatments
fail.
An important difference between HIFU and other forms of focused energy, such as radiation therapy, is that the
passage of ultrasound energy through intervening tissue has no apparent cumulative effects on that tissue. In
contrast, radiation therapy has a cumulative, damaging effect on healthy tissues, even when they are distant from
the focal target. This often limits the ability to use radiation therapy more than once for a specific treatment.
For more information, please call 215-955-9954.
The year has brought several staffing changes to our department.
Adam P. Dicker, M.D., Ph.D., Interim Chair in the Department of Radiation
Oncology serves as Professor in the Department and as the Program Leader
for Radiation Research & Translational Biology. Dr. Dicker specializes in the
treatment of brain tumors and is recognized as a leader in the field of prostate
brachytherapy.
From the Department of Radiation Oncology
- Adam Dicker, M.D., Ph.D.

3. Currently, within our gastrointestinal
program, Dr. Edith Mitchell and her
colleagues have been making tremendous
3
The Department of Surgery is pleased to announce recent
presentations and grant awards for pilot projects and basic
science research in cancer.
In terms of external funding, Hwyda Arafat, MD, PhD,
Assistant Professor of Surgery, was recently awarded an
NIH/NCI R21 grant. This two-year grant will fund
From the Department of Surgery
- Charles Yeo, M.D. The Samuel D. Gross Professor
research exploring the role of nicotine and associated molecular mechanisms
that make smoking one of the major risk factors for developing pancreatic
cancer.
Internally, the Kimmel Cancer Center is funding two pilot studies led by
Jonathan Brody, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Division of Surgical Research.
Dr. Brody is collaborating with Ya-Ming Hou, PhD, Professor of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology, and Assistant Professor Agnieszka Witkiewicz, M.D.,
on a project entitled, “Targeting DNA replication (primase) in Cancer
Cells”. For the second project, Dr. Brody is working with Eugene Kennedy,
MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, on research entitled, “Detection and
development of native human antibodies targeting pancreatic cancer”.
The Department of Surgery faculty continue to present their findings to a
national audience. In early February, several faculty members presented
at the 3rd Academic Surgical Congress of the Association for Academic
Surgery in Huntingdon Beach, CA. Eugene Kennedy, MD, reported on the
implementation of a critical pathway for distal pancreatectomy at Jefferson and
he spoke about the early experiences of incorporating laparoscopic techniques
for distal pancreatectomies into an established academic pancreatic surgery
practice.
Surgical resident Timothy Williams, MD, also presented on the impact of
obesity on perioperative morbidity and mortality following the Whipple
operation, a project that was mentored by Adam Berger, MD.
In other arenas, Adam Berger, MD, gave an oral presentation on intraoperative
radiationtherapy(IORT),improvinglocaltumorcontrol
in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for
pancreatic adenocarcinoma at the American Society of
Clinical Oncology, 2008 Gastrointestinal Symposium.
He also published a paper, “Prognostic Significance
of Lymph Node Metastases and Ratio in Esophageal
Cancer,” in the Journal of Surgical Research.
Other publications include several in the Journal of
Gastrointestinal Surgery including: Karen Chojnacki,
MD - “Pancreatic VIPomas,” Hwyda Arafat, MD, PhD
- “Angiotensin II Induces VEGF in Pancreatic Cancer
Cells Through an Angiotensin II type 1 Receptor and
ERK 1/2 Signaling,” and Charles Yeo, MD –
“Duodenojejunostomy leaks after Pancreaticoduo-
denectomy”.
Drs. Witkiewicz, Brody, Hou and Yeo whose pilot study
‘Targeting DNA replication in Cancer Cells’ was funded by
the Kimmel Cancer Center
From the Department of
Medical Oncology - Neal
Flomenberg, M.D.
progress in the fight against metastatic colorectal cancer.
The cause of this disease is often linked to mutations within
the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Because of
this, most available therapeutics such as panitumumab and
cetuximab specifically target and inhibit the function of
this protein. Most often, these treatments are somewhat
successful, however they often present with negative side
effects and are only truly effective for a subset of patients.
Researchers within our GI program have been looking for
the cause of the selective nature of these treatments and
have recently discovered that patients harboring mutations
within another protein, KRAS, display resistance to both
chemotherapy as well as EGFR inhibitor therapy. Further
studies involving this gene and its mutations will hopefully
shape the future of metastatic colorectal cancer therapeutic
regimens, so that one day they will be designed to be
patient-specific and therefore more efficacious.
The American Cancer Society awarded the Kimmel Cancer Center’s Richard
Pestell, M.D., Ph.D., and Marja Nevalainen, M.D., Ph.D., an Institutional
Research Grant (IRG). This award was given to the KCC based upon the
expertise of the faculty, the facilities available and the pool of junior faculty
participating in cancer research. Drs. Pestell and Nevalainen then invited the
junior faculty to create a proposal for a pilot project. The applications were
reviewed by a committee and the four recipients were:
Nancy A. Hodgson RN, Ph.D., of the Center for Applied Research
on Aging and Health (CARAH) for her pilot project titled
“Comparison of Palliative Touch Therapies in Biosocial Measures
of Stress in Nursing Home Residents with Solid Tumors”.
John Pascal, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor in the Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology was awarded an IRG for
his pilot project “Structural Mechanisms of Poly(ADP-ribose)
Polymerase-1 Regulation”.
Clay Comstock, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor in the Department
of Cancer Biology was awarded an IRG for his pilot project
“Aberrant Cyclin D1 Regulation Impacts AR Activity and Prostate
Cancer Progression”.
Xiaoyong Zhang, Ph.D., a Research Instructor in the Department of
Cancer Biology, was awarded an IRG for his pilot project titled “Functional
Characterization of the Novel Cancer Stem Cell Signature Member USP22”.
KCC Junior Faculty awarded ACS grants
based on innovative pilot studies

4. We are pleased to announce a
collaborative KCC/Myrna Brind Center
project to study the effects of high-dose
Intravenous Vitamin C (IVC) in patients
with refractory Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
(NHL). Drs. Daniel Monti and Anthony
Bazzan from the Brind Center, and
4
From the Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine
- Daniel Monti, M.D.
From the Clinical Research
Managment Office (CRMO)
- Matthew Carabasi, M.D.
In this month’s column, we would like to
Drs. Joanne Filicko-O’Hara and Matthew Carabasi from the
Department of Medical Oncology are enrolling NHL patients
who have failed standard treatment. Dr. Mark Levine from
the National Institutes of Health, a consultant on the study,
has recently published a landmark paper on the mechanisms of
action of IVC (1). Dr. Levine’s laboratory has done much of
the animal investigation on Vitamin C’s anti-tumor activity.
The recent announcement of this study received considerable
media attention, as it follows two previous human studies from
more than two decades ago that did not show a therapeutic
effect from oral vitamin C. At the time there was tremendous
controversy over those studies, mostly due to Nobel Laureate
Linus Pauling’s conviction that Vitamin C was therapeutic in
cancer patients and that the studies must have been flawed.
Our Jefferson team decided to revisit this issue when recent
pharmacokinetic modeling data indicated that intravenous
administration of Vitamin C produces a 25-fold or greater
plasma concentration than the same dose given orally, and that
vitamin C levels achievable only by intravenous infusion can be
selectively toxic to various cancer cell lines in the laboratory,
introduce Maureen O’Connell, RN, BSN, who joined the KCC
CRMO in September 2007 as Associate Director. Maureen
received her BSN from Seton Hall University and is working
towards a Masters Degree in Health Care Administration.
Maureen brings over 25 years of health care management to
this position, including 18 years of clinical trial experience.
Prior to joining the KCC, Ms. O’Connell spent several years as
the administrator of the NCI supported Community Clinical
Oncology Program (CCOP) at the Main Line Health system.
Before that, she worked with phase I investigator-initiated
leukemia trials and as manager of an NIH supported AIDS
Clinical Trials Group at a designated NCI center. These past
responsibilities enable her to provide insight and valuable
experience here at the KCC.
For information regarding current clinical trials being
conducted at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, please
call the CRMO 215-955-1661.
The 50 in 50 hitting golf courses across
America to raise money and awareness
for Cancer Prevention
They call it ‘extreme fundraising’; the tour of 50 golf courses in
50 states in 50 days. Creators, Bill Evans and his close friend,
PGA Golf Professional Craig Forney, will golf on public golf
courses; meet with cancer survivors and visit cancer treatment
and research centers during their seven week journey. Their
message is for early detection and prevention of breast and
prostate cancer and melanoma. Joined by a camera crew and
production team, The 50 in 50 will create a documentary of
this first annual tour.
The Kimmel Cancer Center was delighted to welcome the
group to tour the facilities and give Bill and Craig an overview
of the cutting edge research, scientific leaders and state-of-
the-art technology at the Kimmel Cancer Center.
“Sometimes it takes motivated individuals raising awareness
and promoting the topic of cancer, for a member of the public
to build up enough courage to be screened for cancer. We
cannot stress enough, the importance of early detection - we
congratulate Bill and Craig for taking that message across
America, in a deliberative and novel manner,” says Richard
Pestell, M.D., Ph.D., KCC Director.
To become a sponsor, make a donation or monitor their progress visit
www.the50in50.com
leaving healthy cells unaffected. It appears that the mechanism
of action involves the formation of hydrogen peroxide in the
extracellular space. Preliminary animal data and case reports
have been particularly promising for high grade lymphomas.
Overall, there is now biological plausibility that IVC could
have a therapeutic effect in NHL patients, and Jefferson is
poised to be the first institution to complete the next level of
investigative inquiry.
For more information on the study, providers and patients can contact Dr. Joel
Edman, study coordinator, at 215-955-2221. Referring physicians may also
contact either of the primary investigators directly (Dr. Monti or Dr. Filicko-
O’Hara).
Reference: (1) Chen, Qi, et al. Ascorbate in pharmacologic concentrations
selectively generates ascorbate radical and hydrogen peroxide in extracellular
fluid in vivo. PNAS 2007; 104; 8749-8754

5. 5
Recently published Articles by Scientists at the Kimmel Cancer Center
The putative cancer stem cell marker USP22 is a subunit of the human SAGA complex required for activated transcription and
cell-cycle progression. Mol Cell.2008 Jan 18 29(1):102-11. Zhang XY, Varthi M, Sykes SM, Phillips C, Warzecha C, Zhu W, Wyce A,
Thorne AW, Berger SL, McMahon SB.
Disruption of c-Jun Reduces Cellular Migration and Invasion through Inhibition of c-Src and Hyperactivation of ROCK II Kinase.
Mol Biol Cell.2008 Jan 23. Jiao X, Katiyar S, Liu M, Mueller SC, Lisanti MP, Li A, Pestell TG, Wu K, Ju X, Li Z, Wagner EF, Takeya T,
Wang C, Pestell RG.
Fibulin-2 is dispensable for mouse development and elastic fiber formation. Mol Cell Biol.2008 Feb 28(3):1061-7. Sicot FX, Tsuda
t, Markova D, Klement JF, Arita M, Zhang RZ, Pan TC, Mecham RP, Birk DE, Chu ML.
Cardiotoxicity associated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib. Lancet.2007 Dec 15 370(9604):2011-9. Chu TF, Rupnick MA,
Kerkela R, Dallabrida SM, Zurakowski D, Nguyen L, Woulfe K, Pravda E, Cassiola F, Desai J, George S, Morgan JA, Harris DM, Ismail
NS, Chen JH, Schoen FJ, Van den Abbeele AD, Demetri GD, Force T, Chen MH.
High resolution donor-recipient HLA matching contributes to the success of unrelated donor marrow transplantation. Blood.2007
Dec 15 110(13):4576-83. Lee SJ, Klein J, Haagenson M, Baxter-Lowe LA, Confer DL, Eapen M, Fernandez-Vina M, Flomenberg N,
Horowitz M, Hurley CK, Noreen H, Oudshoorn M, Petersdorf E, Setterholm M, Spellman S, Weisdorf D, Williams TM, Anasetti C.
Requirement of c-Myb for p210BCR/ABL-dependent transformation of myeloid progenitors and leukemogenesis. Blood.2008 Jan
28. Lidonnici MR, Corradini F, Waldron T, Bender TP, Calabretta B.
The Department of Radiology is pleased
to share the details of some of our current
and upcoming clinical trials. A few of
these studies are described below.
Dr. Mathew Thakur began recruiting
patients in the late spring for his
federally funded study on early breast cancer detection with
a novel imaging technique. He will determine the feasibility
of detecting breast cancer with PET (Positron Emission
Tomography) and PEM (Positron Emission Mammography)
using the Cu-64 imaging agent, that he developed. This
study represents several firsts at Jefferson – the first time
the agent is being used in patients and the first time PEM
imaging is being performed at TJU.
Dr. Donald Mitchell is serving as co-chair of a multi-center
study funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to
evaluate a new method for dynamic contrast enhanced MRI,
with higher temporal resolution. Recruitment for this trial
is expected to begin shortly.
Dr. Ethan Halpern has been working with the Department
of Urology on his federally funded study to improve the
detection of clinically significant prostate cancer. The
ability to detect prostate cancer with a targeted biopsy based
upon contrast-enhanced ultrasound will be compared to that
of the standard systematic biopsy approach.
Recruitment continues for Dr. Charles Intenzo’s phase I study
of a new PET tracer (FLT) for head and neck malignancies
and results have been promising, as well as for Dr. Song Lai’s
novel functional MR imaging techniques of brain tumors.
The faculty in the Department of Radiology look forward
to continuing to bring novel cancer imaging research to the
Jefferson community and expanding our collaborations with
faculty throughout the Jefferson system.
From the Department
of Radiology
- Vijay Rao, M.D.
“Life after a Cancer Diagnosis”
Patient and Family Conference
Over a hundred people attended the survivorship conference,
“Life After a Cancer Diagnosis,” on April 2nd
, 2008. The
event, designed for survivors at all stages of treatment,
included workshops on fertility and sexuality, addressing the
needs of caregivers (sponsored by The Wellness Community
of Philadelphia) and a dinner keynote address—“A Funny
Thing Happened on the Way to Chemotherapy” by Daniel
Shapiro, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and
Director, Medical Humanities Program, College of Medicine
at the University of Arizona.
All sessions shared a common theme; how to better cope
with cancer and live the healthiest life possible. “This superb
program only underscores the Kimmel Cancer Center’s
extraordinary commitment to the well being of patients
and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis,” says Director
Richard Pestell, M.D., Ph.D.
Daniel Monti, M.D., director of the Jefferson-Myrna Brind
Center of Integrative Medicine helped participants learn how
mind-body therapies, alternative pain management techniques
and nutrition are used to support health and quality of life in
cancer survivors.
Neal Flomenberg, M.D., discussed new ideas about the nature
of cancer and some new therapies that may change the course
of cancer treatment and recovery.
Dr. Neal Flomenberg with keynote speaker Dr. Daniel Shapiro and Clinical
Administrator Joy Soleiman. Cancer Survivor Stan Wortman with Susan Munro
RN, OCN.

6. 6
KCC Scientists find Protein that helps Pancreatic Cancer Cells
hide from the Immune System
A Protein that helps prevent a woman’s body from rejecting a fetus may also play an important role in enabling
pancreatic cancer cells to evade detection by the immune system, allowing them to spread in the body.
Researchers at the Kimmel Cancer Center found that the metastatic cancer cells in the lymph nodes of patients
with pancreatic cancer, produce enough of the protein IDO to essentially wall-off the immune systems T-Cells
Previously shown to be part of an 11-gene “signature” that can predict which tumors will be aggressive and likely
to spread, Steve McMahon Ph.D., Associate Professor of Cancer Biology at the KCC, has shown that the gene,
USP22, encodes an enzyme that controls large scale changes in gene expression, with the hallmarks of cancer
stem cells. As an enzyme, USP22 becomes a potential target for new anti-cancer drugs.
USP22 is known to be part of a group of genes called the “cancer stem cell signature”. These genes are often
over-expressed in cancers, more specifically USP22 over-expression represents a marker of metastasis.
“Discovering the identity of the 11-gene signature that predicts aggressive, therapy-resistant tumors a few years
ago was certainly a critical advance in terms of the ability to diagnose and stratify patients,” Dr. McMahon says.
“Since USP22 is an enzyme, the type of protein that is easiest to target with drugs, our new findings may help
extend these earlier discoveries to the point where therapeutics can be developed. There are already drugs being used in cancer patients
that attack other enzymes in this pathway, and there are companies interested in extending this to find USP22 inhibitors.”
Reporting in Molecular Cell, KCC scientist discovered a key regulator of cancer
stem cell markers
KCC Scientists Find Blocking Growth Protein Kills Prostate
Cancer Cells
Researchers at Jefferson’s Kimmel Cancer Center, have shown that they can effectively kill prostate cancer
cells in both the laboratory and in experimental animal models by blocking a signaling protein that is
key to the cancer’s growth. The work proves that the protein, Stat5, is both vital to prostate cancer cell
maintenance and is a viable target for drug therapy.
Marja Nevalainen, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Cancer Biology, showed that Stat5 is turned on
in nearly all recurrent prostate cancers that are resistant to hormone therapy. Dr. Nevalainen blocked the
protein’s expression and function by siRNA inhibition, antisense inhibition and adenoviral gene delivery.
This inhibition of Stat5 in turn, blocked prostate tumor growth in mice.
“This provides the proof of principle, that Stat5 is a therapeutic target protein for prostate cancer, and may be specifically
useful for advanced prostate cancer, where there are no effective therapies,” Dr. Nevalainen says. (Clinical Cancer Research,
January 2008).
Important New Discoveries by Scientists at the Kimmel Cancer Center
and recruit cells that suppress the immune systems response to the tumor. The findings might mean not only a better way to detect
pancreatic cancer spreading to lymph nodes, but also could enhance tumor immune therapy strategies against the fast-moving, deadly
disease.
Jonathon Brody, PhD., Assistant Professor of Surgery and Charles Yeo, M.D., the Samuel D. Gross Professor and Chair of the
Department of Surgery, analyzed IDO expression in 14 lymph nodes to which pancreatic cancer cells had spread and compared them
to the primary tumors that had not spread in the same patients. In every case they found greater expression of the IDO protein in the
cancer lymph nodes.
“This data points to the fact that the IDO may play a role in helping cancer cells avoid the immune system” Dr. Brody said. His team
reported its findings at the recent meeting of the Southern Surgical Association in Hot Springs VA. The results have been accepted for
publication in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

7. 7
New KCC Trial to Test Radiation-Emitting Beads Against Advanced Liver Cancer
Liver cancer specialists, led by Brian Carr M.D., Ph.D., FRCP, are beginning an 18-month study of a new
treatment for liver cancer. The therapy entails injecting tiny beads that emit small amounts of radiation into the
liver’s main artery while also blocking the blood supply feeding the cancer’s growth.
The technique, called Radioembolization, has been approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for use
in inoperable liver cancers. This is the first time that the particular technology, called SIR-Spheres microspheres,
which is FDA-approved for treating colon cancer that has spread to the liver, is being studied in patients with
hepatocellular carcinoma, or primary liver cancer.
Dr. Carr and his colleagues are encouraged by the results from a recent clinical trial, showing the effectiveness
of a similar technique used for advanced liver cancer. Reporting recently in the journal Hepatology, Dr. Carr and
physicians at Northwestern University in Chicago found that injecting another type of Yttrium-90-containing beads (TheraSphere®)
was effective in treating inoperable liver cancer even in patients whose portal vein was blocked by tumor.
Says Dr. Carr, “Using TheraSphere is just as safe with or without portal vein thrombosis, because patients don’t acquire the chemotherapy
side effects, such as nausea and hair loss. Patients are only in the hospital on the day of treatment, which is usually once every three
months. It would be a significant contribution to the field if we could downstage the tumors enabling more transplants, which is the
only cure.”
Important New Discoveries by Scientists at the Kimmel Cancer Center
elected New Grant Fundingelected New Grant Funding
(Shown as annualized amount)
Hywda Arafat M.D., Ph.D., received $197,750 for Nicotine in
Pancreatic Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms
Emad Alnemri Ph.D., received $1,800,000 for Cysteine
Proteases in Apoptosis
Emad Alnemri Ph.D., received $1,800,000 for Mechanisms of
Activation of Ice-like cysteine Proteases
Steven McMahon Ph.D., received $1,743,750 for Functional
analysis of the transcriptional program regulated by the c-MYC
oncoprotein
Ronald Myers Ph.D., received $1,800,000 for Colon Cancer
Screening among African Americans
Laurence Eisenlohr Ph.D., VMD, received $262,600 for
Accessing the MHC Class I Processing Pathway
Mathew Thakur Ph.D., reveived $500,000 for PET for
Molecular Imaging of Small Animals
Jouni Uitto M.D., Ph.D., and Fertala Andrzej Ph.D., received
$382,000 for Molecular Genetics of the Cutaneous BMZ in EB
From the Department
of Dermatology and
Cutaneous Biology -
Jouni Uitto, MD, PhD
The Department of Dermatology and
Cutaneous Biology has a long tradition of
collaborations with the Kimmel Cancer
Center and is excited to share our current
research endeavors.
My laboratory has a primary interest in the molecular genetics
of inheritable diseases presenting with skin manifestations. We
were the first to clone and identify genes harboring mutations
in epidermolysis bullosa, a group of heritable blistering
disorders.
Dr. Olga Igoucheva, is conducting extensive studies on
hematopoietic stem cells and the development of new
treatments for leukemia.
Dr. Mỹ G. Mahoney is involved in understanding cancer
mediated by “desmogleins”.
Dr. Ulrich Rodeck has pioneered work in EGF receptor-
mediated signaling mechanisms in skin cancer and with Dr.
Adam Dicker is identifying new therapies using zebra fish.
Dr. Qiujie Jiang has identified mutations in the ABCC6 gene.
This gene encodes multi-drug resistance-associated protein 6.
Drs. Sergio Jimenez and Francesco Del Galdo are working on
caveolin-1 in TGF-β signaling. Dr. Vitali Alexeev studies the
molecular mechanism and new therapeutic approaches for
melanoma with Dr. Takami Sato.
Finally, Dr. Faramarz Samie, a surgeon and Clinical Faculty,
is involved in clinical research of multiple squamous cell
carcinomas in solid organ transplant patients.

8. 8
For college graduates with an interest in scientific research related
to cancer, there are 4 Ph.D. programs available at the Kimmel
Cancer Center. During the first year of study, students have the
opportunity to work in the laboratories of 3 different department
faculty members on 10-week rotations in order to establish an
understanding of different experimental systems and approaches.
Following these rotations, students select one of the three, as their
thesis laboratory. Generally, completion of the Ph.D. thesis is a five-
year process, during which time, the student designs and performs
experiments that will be published in peer-reviewed journals.
The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology offers a
Ph.D. program headed by Diane Merry, Ph.D., whose concentration
is partially based on the study of signaling pathways most commonly
altered in cancer. More specifically, students actively assess the
changes that take place within a cancer cell, compared to that of
a normal cell.
Christiane Danilo, B.A., a second
year biochemistry Ph.D. student
working in Dr. Michael Lisanti’s
laboratory, commented on her
program and research by stating:
“The biochemistry program here
at Jefferson is extremely strong and
has enabled me to be successful in
my research endeavors. My current
projects revolve around determining
the role of dietary cholesterol in the onset of breast cancer as well
as discovering whether or not atherosclerosis plays a direct role
in one’s susceptibility to cancer. Being surrounded by premier
scientists and utilizing state-of-the-art research facilities in a
thriving, prosperous city, are reasons why I chose Jefferson and why
our university and cancer center continues to thrive in the face of
national research budget cuts.”
The Genetics Ph.D. program at Jefferson is directed by Linda
Siracusa, Ph.D. The genetics program concentrates on the
underlying, genetic mechanisms that are responsible for the
onset of various cancers, while also focusing on the efficacy and
plausibility of utilizing gene therapy as a treatment option for
cancer patients. Students in this program concentrate on a variety
of different cancers, ranging from colorectal, breast, and prostate
cancer to leukemia.
Michael Powell, B.S., currently
in his third year of the genetics
Ph.D. program, working in Dr.
Richard Pestell’s laboratory is
one such student. He is studying
overall prostate development as
well as genetic and molecular
mechanisms, that alter prostate
cancer progression and severity.
Michael commented on his research by stating: “I am interested
in determining the exact molecular signatures associated with
prostate cancer initiation and maintenance. By understanding what
genes and proteins are dysfunctional in prostate cancer, we can
subsequently target these cancer-causing agents with therapeutics
such as those that utilize a patient’s internal metabolic machinery
in an effort to revert the cancerous phenotype. The unique ability
of TJU and the KCC to assist in the transition of basic research
into clinical therapeutics to help patients is what initially attracted
me to Jefferson and continues to draw in unparalleled staff as we
march toward a cure for this horrific disease.”
The Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Ph.D. program
directed by Laurence Eisenlohr, V.M.D., Ph.D., instills in students,
a strong basic understanding of immunology, microbiology,
biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology. The majority
of cancer-associated research within this program deals with the
communication that occurs between the immune system and cancer
cells. Determining the mechanism by which immune responses aid
in the spread and severity of cancer is an essential component of
applicable cancer therapeutics.
Josie Fox, B.S., a fifth year
immunology Ph.D. student
in Dr. Eisenlohr’s laboratory
commented on the program
and her research by stating:
“My research revolves around
the study of thyroid cancer.
More specifically, how cancer-
causing agents within thyroid cells are capable of stimulating
communication with their extra-cellular environments and
how these communications lead to increased cancer severity. By
understanding this mechanism, potential vaccines directed toward
the treatment of thyroid cancer can be developed. The Jefferson
environment fosters the development of confident, independent
scientists able to perform groundbreaking cancer research. This
unique attribute is what drew me to Jefferson in the first place and
what continues to shape my development as a successful scientific
researcher.”
Jeffrey Benovic, Ph.D., directs the Molecular Pharmacology &
Structural Biology program at the Kimmel Cancer Center. Students
within this program are instructed in the fields of biochemistry,
cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, and pharmacology.
Specific concentrations within the program include understanding
the protein interactions and signaling cascades responsible
For college graduates with a
KCC education Special
As the Associate Director for
Education and Training at the
KCC, Marja Nevalainen, M.D.,
Ph.D., Chair of the KCC Training
Committee and Associate Professor
of Cancer Biology pays particular
attention to the Education Programs
offered at the Kimmel Cancer
Center at Jefferson in order to attract
outstanding students to our world
class facility.

9. KCC education Special
for cancer cell formation. Additional research involves the
creation of synthetic therapeutic drugs capable of targeting the
dysfunctional proteins responsible for initiating such cancer
promoting signaling within a patient’s body.
Ahmara Gibbons, a third year
MD., PhD. student, working in
Dr. Scott Waldman’s laboratory,
is one such pharmacology
student currently conducting
research associated with colon
cancer. Ahmara commented
on her Jefferson experience: “I
chose to pursue a double degree
at Jefferson because the training is exceptional for both degrees,
compared to most graduate and medical programs nationwide.
There is a close connection between the research laboratories
and the hospital creating a unique environment allowing for
translational benchwork; something that is not found at most
institutions. My research in Dr. Waldman’s lab looks at specific
biological markers that govern tumor initiation and progression.
Our research will hopefully lead to the onset of clinical trials
that will inevitably result in fewer cases of metastatic colorectal
cancer by enhancing current diagnostic technologies and
treatment plans in current medical practice.”
(For further information about our Graduate Programs please contact
215-503-4400 or visit wwwjefferson.edu/jcgs/phd/)
Project ‘BioEYES’
Not just for Philly
students and teachers
anymore
Located on the fourth floor of Jefferson Alumni Hall, the
Science Outreach Program coordinates and trains Philly City
teachers on how they can co-teach a live week-long zebrafish
experiment side-by-side with
university educators within their
own classroom settings. Whether
students are at an elementary,
middle school or high school
level, the week-long experiment
offers an abundance of scientific
concepts and understanding of
the experimental process at all
levels.
Founded in 2002, the Jefferson
Science Outreach Program
has instructed over 10,000
students and a considerable number of teachers now teaching
autonomously with merely provisions from the Science
Outreach Program. This allows the program to reach new
schools, new teachers, and new students every year.
The Science Outreach Program has
been supported this year by the Kimmel
Cancer Center, the Jefferson Medical
School, the Campbell Foundation,
the Brook J. Lenfest Foundation, the
Christopher Ludwick Foundation,
GlaxoSmithKline and the Philadelphia
City School District. Some of this
funding has supported the latest
expansion of the program’s mission to
foster an enthusiasm for science. One
expansion is the Project BioCURES unit
that allows students to use state of the art scientific equipment
to cure bacteria of lactose intolerance through gene therapy.
Another new expansion has been a weekly after-school program
in which high school students perform innovative hands-on
experiments to understand how various model organisms are
being used to study human disease. Students have been exposed
to experiments with zebrafish, bacteria, plants, fruit flies, yeast,
and even their own DNA! These rare opportunities have been
generously conducted by Jefferson University researchers, lab
technicians, and graduate students.
The Science Outreach Program, under the supervision of co-
founder Dr. Jamie Shuda, works collaboratively with a number
of departments to enable expansion. The Science Outreach
Program has raised five scholarships to fund the prestigious
Summer Science program at Jefferson University in which five
public school city kids, spend eight comprehensive weeks on
campus with Jeff scientists during the summer.
Project BioEYEs has
begun to branch out,
first in Baltimore,
Maryland this year with
the help of co-founder
Dr. Steve Farber, of the
Carnegie Institute of
Washington, and is due
for additional start-
ups this upcoming
academic year in
South Bends, Indiana,
throughacollaboration
with the University of
Notre Dame and in the Lehigh Valley area, in collaboration
with Lehigh University and the DaVinci Center for Science and
Technology. Project BioEYEs is not just for Philly anymore!
For more information how your department can get involved, please visit
us online at www.jefferson.edu/bioeyes. Or contact Danielle Sixsmith,
Supervisor and Curriculum Specialist, on 215-503-4505 or
Danielle.Sixsmith@mail.jci.tju.edu
9

10. 10
KCC education Special
The Medical Oncology/
Hematology
Fellowship Program
- Joanne Filicko-O’Hara
M.D.
The Department of
Radiation Oncology
Residency Program
- Maria Werner-Wasik
M.D.
The Residency Program in the Department of Radiation
Oncology is a four year training program (post-graduate
years 2 through 5). The Residents spend 38.5 months in
clinical rotations, up to 7.5 months in research activities
(laboratory, clinical, or physics related research) and 2
months in physics/dosimetry. Additional educational
activities include courses in Radiobiology and Physics,
a Statistics course, weekly clinical seminars, weekly case
discussion, Journal Club, weekly attendance at Oncology
Grand Rounds and annual ASTRO and ASCO reviews.
The Department has been a leader in the area of organ
preservation in breast, laryngeal and colorectal cancer
and has always been at the forefront of evaluating new
technology. Over the past decade, our group has also
gained increasing prominence by developing innovative
approaches to brain tumors, prostate cancer, lung cancer,
and clinical trial design. We have introduced new
treatment planning and delivery tools into our clinic in
recent years, including a dedicated stereotactic linear
accelerator, a Gamma Knife unit, intensity-modulated
radiotherapy, stereotactic therapy to extracranial
sites, a dedicated intra-operative radiotherapy site and
several innovative 3-D treatment planning systems. The
Department’s programmatic involvement in experimental
radiation oncology has led to a number of “first in human”
clinical developmental therapeutic trials involving novel
signal transduction agents and radiation therapy at
Thomas Jefferson University. Over 2,000 new patients
are seen each year at our main facility at Jefferson, and an
additional 1,500 new patients are seen at our five other
treatment sites.
The oncology program throughout Jefferson, as organized
within the NCI-designated Kimmel Cancer Center, has
gained nationwide recognition. The department has a
number of important leadership positions within the
Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and is among the
leading accruers to radiation oncology-oriented clinical
trials in the nation. All of our faculty are dedicated to
postgraduate education and teach within the context of a
multi-disciplinary approach to cancer patients and cancer
research. More information about our department is
available on our website at www.kcc.tju.edu/RadOnc.
W. Edward Mercer Ph.D., is an
internationally recognized expert in the
field of genetics, particularly involving
the p53 tumor suppressor gene, the
most frequently mutated/defective gene
identified to date in a wide variety of
human cancers. Dr. Mercer’s laboratory at the Kimmel Cancer
Center was recently listed as one of the top p53 research
laboratories in the world by the International Agency for
Research on Cancer (IARC) Lyon Cedex 08, France.
Not only is Dr. Mercer commended for his achievements
in research, Dr. Mercer was presented the KCC Award
for Education and Mentoring for his development of
and commitment to the Molecular Genetics Ph.D and
Post Doctoral Program at the Kimmel Cancer Center at
Jefferson.
Dr. Mercer served as the program’s inaugural director from
1990 until 2005, when he stepped down due to illness. Dr.
Mercer is recognized as an educational innovator at the
institution. “We are proud to have the pioneer of the p53
tumor suppressor gene as part of the team here at the KCC”,
says KCC Director, Dr. Pestell.
The Medical Oncology/Hematology Fellowship Program is
a joint effort of both the Department of Medical Oncology
and the Division of Hematology in the Department of
Medicine. Following training in internal medicine, the
fellows pursue three more years of training specializing in
cancer and blood diseases. The first half of the fellowship
training is focused on clinical hematology and oncology;
including inpatient and outpatient care of patients with
every type of cancer, bleeding and clotting disorders, anemia
and other blood problems, as well as those undergoing
stem cell transplants. The second half of the fellowship is
designed to be research oriented, focusing on either clinical
or laboratory-based research.
Former fellows continue to make us proud by serving as
faculty within major universities and cancer centers in the
area and around the country, as well as in private practice.
For more information, contact Joanne Filicko-O’Hara, (Fellowship Director) or
Kathy Sparano (Fellowship Coordinator) at 215-955-5822.
The KCC Award for
Education and Mentoring
is presented to
Dr. W. Edward Mercer

11. When you are first diagnosed, it is an emotional rollercoaster.
“One day I would have strength and be positive and knew I
could beat it, and the next, I was convinced I wouldn’t live to
see my son’s Bar Mitzvah less than a year away. It is a ride that,
for the most part, you don’t feel you can control. Now, your
life is in the hands of your doctors. One day you’re given good
news, so you’re ok for a while and then something grows, or
develops and life again, is held in the balance.”
11
Takami Sato, M.D.
(continued from page 1)
©
Harvey & Esther with three of their
six grandchildren
The ophthalmologist who
diagnosed the uveal melanoma
back in 1980 told Esther the only
treatment was to remove her eye.
“He even wanted to book me in
the following week!” Esther and
her husband thought there had
to be another way – and so their
research began. Esther, with a
Ph.D., in psychology and Harvey, a
college professor, were well versed
in the art of library research. These
were the days before the internet,
when reading an article on uveal
melanoma research meant going
to the library, accessing Medline
(the database of published research
articles), locating the journal,
then the page number and photocopying it. When Esther and
Harvey started out, they didn’t know much about the eye,
when they had finished their research however, they had read
at least the abstract of every article published in English over
the previous five year period! Esther affirms that ‘knowledge
is power’. “During this time when your very survival depends
on others, you owe it to yourself to find the best people, ask all
the questions you need to, even call back and have them clarify
– stay in control.”
Esther’s melanoma is cancer of the uveal tract or middle layer
of the eye, which consists of the iris, the ciliary body and the
choroid. Uveal melanoma is a rare form of cancer affecting 6
in a million people. Uveal melanoma will spread (metastasize),
in 20-50% of patients. Of these patients, 60-70% will develop
liver metastasis within 5 years. Once cancer has metastasized
to the liver, life expectancy is 8-10 months.
Esther found research suggesting that the removal of the eye
(enuculation) did not prohibit metastasis. Stemming from her
research, she scheduled 4 consultations around the country.
She chose photocoagulation (laser) treatment in Columbus,
6 treatments in total, once every month. The tumor seemed
to disappear for a number of years, until 1988, when it started
to grow back. She then had brachytherapy at the Wills Eye
Institute in Philadelphia. After 5 days of treatment, it took the
tumor about two years to shrink entirely.
Esther monitored her own health and treasured every moment
of her life. “A cancer diagnosis makes you very thankful for life,
you see the present as just that, a gift.” She saw her children
marry and took numerous vacations in the 23 years after her
initial diagnosis of uveal melanoma. As far as the statistics
were concerned, she was well and truly in the clear.
But in 2003 at her annual CT scan, two lesions were found
in her liver. It was extraordinary to develop a metastasis after
23 years, it defied statistics. Her lesions were monitored for a
couple of months and appeared to be slowly growing. Again
Esther urges, ‘you really need to keep track of the measurements
yourself, to really know the extent of growth’ emphasizing her
point that Uveal Melanoma is a ‘Do-It-Yourself ’ disease.
Esther and husband again began to research, now with the aid
of the internet. She discovered Listserve, the OCU-MEL list,
a discussion forum for patients and care givers who share new
treatment options, patient experiences, clinical trial activities
for ocular melanoma, and emotional issues. Esther found
exemplary reports about Dr. Takami Sato, who specializes
in melanoma and has developed vaccines and clinical trials
at Jefferson’s Kimmel Cancer Center, Melanoma Center of
Excellence*.
Dr. Sato’s treatments are proving to be very effective for many
patients. Esther says Dr. Sato listens, he treats you like an equal
and appreciates that his patients have also done a lot of research.
‘He fights right there next to you in the trenches; everyone on
the list adores him’. One of Dr. Sato’s treatments
for uveal melanoma is immunoembolization of
liver metastasis. Esther had 7 treatments and
her liver lesions shrank by 80%. New growth
however, in the peritoneum was discovered.
After various complications, Esther applied for
and was accepted for an NIH clinical trial. the
treatments offered through this trial shrank her
liver lesions by 20%. She extols the work of the
NIH, ‘money being well spent by the government’.
Esther is now a part of another of Dr. Sato’s clinical trials and
is doing well. Esther’s triumph is that she has survived 5-1/2
years since the uveal melanoma metastasized to her liver;
almost 6 years, when the statistics gave her only 8-10 months.
As Esther and many great thinkers have said, ‘Knowledge is
Power’, The Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson is proud of
the success of renowned physician and scientist Dr. Takami
Sato and his collaborators including Drs. Eschelman and
Gonsalves, who are giving their patients and their families the
chance to enjoy more birthdays, more milestones and more
of the successes that life has to offer. It is through funding
research and clinical trials, that time and quality of life – the
greatest gifts – can be given.
People with cancer live two lives,
the one before diagnosis and the
one after. Esther has made a special
effort to minimize the impact of
cancer on her life and continues to
live life to the fullest. Esther and
Harvey enjoy visiting their three
children and six grandchildren,
exercising, gardening, watching
movies and keeping an active social
life. ‘Your emotions can only take
so much of a battering; you need
to concentrate on the best things in
life to pull you through’.
* The Kimmel Cancer Center was recognized with a Melanoma Center of Excellence
designation in 2006 by the Melanoma Hope Network
Esther making a birthday wish!

12. On Wednesday February 27th
, the Kimmel Cancer Center hosted
the 27th Annual Mercy-Douglass Lectureship presented by the
Medical Society of Eastern Pennsylvania affiliate of the National
Medical Association.
Two outstanding individuals were honored, Wayne P. Weddington,
Jr., M.D., and Gladys Stith Chester, R.N.. Edith Mitchell, M.D., of
the KCC, gave the keynote speech “Colorectal Cancer Awareness
in African Americans”. Dr. Mitchell wrote in the Journal of
Clinical Oncology “multiple studies have demonstrated that black
patients have a less favorable prognosis and suffer higher death
rates than do whites with colorectal cancer”. Dr. Mitchell has
developed programs and a DVD to bridge the gap, familiarizing
patients with the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer and to
urge individuals over the age of fifty, or earlier if there was a family
history of the disease, to undergo regular checkups.
The Mercy-Douglass Hospital was formed in 1948 as a merger
between Frederick Douglass Hospital and Mercy Hospital. The
Kimmel Cancer Center was fortunate to have at the 27th Annual
Mercy Douglass Lectureship, a group of the original nurses.
On January 15th the world’s leading pioneers in Nuclear Receptors, gathered together to present the latest research at the
“Nuclear Receptors : Co-Activators and Co-Repressors” symposium chaired by Jefferson’s Kimmel Cancer Center Drs.
Chenguang Wang and Richard Pestell. Presentations focused on new discoveries affecting breast and prostate cancer and tumor
angiogenesis.
The insightful day was held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The speakers joined the cast iron forefathers
for a pre-event photo shoot. The event was such a success, the sponsors, Abcam, plan to make Nuclear Receptors: Co-Activators
and Co-Repressors symposium, an annual event.
(Left to right) Dr. Manti Guha
(University of Pennsylvania)
Sridar Mani (Albert Einstein
College of Medicine)
Vladimir Popov (Kimmel
Cancer Center at Jefferson),
Dr. Ken Soprano (Temple
University), Dr. Chenguang
Wang (Kimmel Cancer
Center at Jefferson) Dr.
Bruce Spiegelman (Dana-
Faber Cancer Institute) Dr.
Richard Pestell (Kimmel
Cancer Center at Jefferson),
Dr. Karen Knudsen (Kimmel
Cancer Center at Jefferson)
and Dr. Mitchell Lazar
(University of Pennsylvania)
Cancer Pioneers meet the Forefathers
27th Annual Mercy-Douglass Lectureship Ryan Heffelfinger, M.D., and Howard Krein, M.D., both Assistant
Professors, fellowship trained in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery, joined the Department in July 2006 and 2007 and have
participated in the management of head and neck cancer patients by
performing immediate microvascular reconstruction when needed.
In 2007, the team successfully performed 18 free flaps and many more
local flaps with excellent results and in 2008 they are projected to
double the number of cases.
In conjunction with surgeons in the Department of Neurological
Surgery, surgeons in the Department of Otolaryngology, led by Marc
R. Rosen, M.D., Associate Professor, are using minimally invasive
techniques to manage tumors of the skull base that were previously
inoperable. These groundbreaking procedures limit the need for
extensive recovery time, allowing patients to begin adjuvant therapy
in an expedient manner.
Over 120 physicians attended the KCC Symposium on Thyroid
Cancer at Jefferson last year. This symposium focused on advances in
the treatment of thyroid nodular disease and cancer featured a unique
panel of experts including internationally prominent endocrinologists
Drs. Ernest Mazzaferri, Paul Ladenson and Leonard Wartofsky, as
well as renowned thyroid surgeons, Gregory Randolph and Robert
Sofferman. Hands-onlaboratoryworkshopstaughtnasolaryngoscopy,
intra-operativelaryngealnervemonitoring,minimallyinvasivethyroid
surgery and office thyroid ultrasound. Course directors were Dr.
Jeffrey Miller, Professor, Division of Endocrinology and Dr. Edmund
Pribitkin, Professor, Department of Otolaryngology. The symposium’s
success reflects Jefferson’s prominence as a regional leader in the care of
patients with thyroid nodular disease and cancer.
12
From the Department of
Otolaryngology
- William Keane, M.D.

13. Congratulations to...
Joy Soleiman, MPA, Clinical
Administrator of the Kimmel Cancer
Center, who was elected Secretary of the
Association of Cancer Executives (ACE).
With over 350 members in 44 states,
ACE is a leading cancer administrator
networking organization whose focus is to
promote the advancement of its members’
professional standing and personal
achievement through continuing education in oncology
management, research, strategic planning, and program
development.
Ms. Soleiman has been an integral leader at the Kimmel
Cancer Center for 16 years. She is extremely effective in
bringing people together to design new patient programs,
develop educational conferences and encourage research
collaborations with her top priority being cancer patient
care. Ms. Soleiman was instrumental in the development of
the ‘Buddy Program, and the ‘Buddy-on-the-Spot’ program
for newly diagnosed cancer patients. She has also received
support from the Lance Armstrong Association for the
“Navigating the New Normal” program for young adult
cancer survivors.
Introducing the Jefferson
Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Center
Michael Lisanti, M.D., Ph.D., the
Margaret Q. Landenberger Professor in
Breast Cancer Research, named Editor-
in-Chief of The American Journal of
Pathology (AJP) the top-ranked journal
in the pathology field. Renowned cell
biologist, Dr. Lisanti, who serves as
Director of the newly established Jefferson
Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative
Medicine Center, is also a professor of
Cancer Biology at the Jefferson Medical College.
The American Journal of Pathology is published by and
serves as, the official journal of the American Society for
Investigative Pathology (ASIP). The statement from ASIP
President, Mark L. Tykocinski, M.D., summarized the
selection process by saying, “Dr. Lisanti’s scientific curiosity
and personal dynamism, energizes those around him, and we
are excited by what his vision and creativity can bring to the
AJP and to disease pathogenesis research as a whole.”
A recipient of many awards and honors, Dr. Lisanti is the 13th
most cited scientist in biochemistry and biology in scientific
literature over the last decade. Dr. Lisanti came to Jefferson
in 2006 from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New
York.
13
The Jefferson Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
Center will be directed by renowned cell biologist Michael P.
Lisanti, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Cancer Biology.
According to Dr. Lisanti, the center will focus on the uses of
adult stem cells for tissue regeneration (such as brain injury
after stroke, Parkinson’s disease and the damaged heart, after a
heart attack) and cancer research. “It is thought that cancer stem
cells that are resistant to therapy are also important in conveying
drug resistance,” notes Dr. Lisanti.
“The new Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
Center under Dr. Lisanti’s leadership, will be catalytic in
clinical translational science initiatives across cardiovascular,
neurological disease and cancer disciplines at Jefferson,” says
Kimmel Cancer Center Director, Richard Pestell, M.D., Ph.D.
“This center at Jefferson will serve as a national hub for our
ongoing collaboration with other national and international
stem cell center partners.”
The new center consists of seven programs: Blood and Immune
Cells, Bone, Cartilage and Muscle, Brain and Nervous System,
Cancer, Tissue and Organ Regeneration, Reproduction and
Fertility, and Skin. “The center will be the focus for new
multi-investigator grants and new educational opportunities.”
In addition, the center is establishing ties with other local
institutions, such as the Lankenau Institute for Medical
Research in Wynnewood and Christiana Care’s Helen F. Graham
Cancer Center in Wilmington. International collaborations are
currently underway.
June 11th 2008, marked the first Annual Stem Cell Symposium
at Jefferson. Hosted by the Kimmel Cancer Center and the
newly established Jefferson Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative
Medicine Center, the stem cell symposium drew outstanding
speakers from around the country.
Dr. Lisanti and Dr. Pestell gave the welcoming remarks – noting
the uses of adult stem cells for tissue regeneration in a variety of
injuries and disease conditions, such as brain injury after stroke,
Parkinson’s disease and the damaged heart and cardiovascular
system after a heart attack. Also discussed were cancer stem
cells, both in solid tumors such as breast, prostate and pancreas
and in blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.
(Left - Right) Drs. Richard Pestell M.D., Ph.D., Michael Lisanti, M.D., Ph.D., Thomas
Tulenko Ph.D., Lorraine Iacovitti, Ph.D., X. Sean Yu, Ph.D. and Shengwen Calvin Li,
Ph.D., join for a photo at the opening of the Stem Cell Biology Symposium on June
11th, 2008.

14. Calling all Shop-a-holics!
Do you shop online? Of course you do!
Sign in to shop online at your favorite stores through
www.iGive.com/KimmelCancerCenter
Participating stores will donate up to 26% of your online
purchase amount, to the Kimmel Cancer Center.
It costs you nothing!
Your favorite stores are here, over 680 stores in fact, including
Macys, Guess, Gap, Sony, Home Depot, Barnes & Noble, GNC
Store, ToysRus, Florists, Expedia, Hotels, Airlines, and more
Support the Kimmel Cancer Center for free.
As a special introductory incentive - iGive will donate $5 to
the Kimmel Cancer Center, if you make a purchase within 45
days of signing in. What could be easier?
14
Lotsa Helping Hands can help you easily organize family
members and friends during times of medical crisis, family
caregiver exhaustion or when caring for an aging loved one.
Whether coordinating volunteers for meals, rides or visits or
sharing photos, medical status updates and well wishes with
your selected members, a Lotsa Helping Hands private web
community can help.
In a few minutes, you can create free of charge, a private and
secure Lotsa Helping Hands web community, define volunteer
activities and begin inviting members to the community.
Your members can easily view and sign up for any number of
available tasks, review their current commitments and receive
email reminders of upcoming obligations.
Any number of customized community sections can be
created keeping all members, near and far ‘in the loop.’
www.lotsahelpinghands.com
The Kimmel Cancer Center was fortunate to have Allan Goldberg and
Anna Hansen from First Descents speak to oncology nurses, social
workers and sports-minded enthusiasts about their unique programs. The
First Descents mission is ‘to utilize whitewater kayaking and other outdoor
adventure sports to promote emotional, psychological and physical healing
for young adults with cancer’.
During the weeklong First Descents experience, young adults living
with cancer are empowered through kayaking and other sports, to push
their limits and face the challenges associated with living with cancer.
Each program is limited to 15 participants, ensuring individualized care,
medical attention and an intimate experience with fellow First Descents
participants. All meals, accommodations and program activities are
provided to participants free of charge.
Kayaking Camp for Cancer Survivors - First Descents
The Kimmel Cancer Center is supportive of the incredible service that First Descents, founded by world class kayaker
Brad Ludden, provides our cancer patients aged between 18-39 years. If you are interested in participating or would like to
volunteer with First Descents as an instructor or ‘camp Mom’ visit www.firstdescents.com
Gerard Tomko is one of our latest Friends
of the Kimmel Cancer Center. Not only
hailed as the premier wedding photographer in
the region for over 25 years, Jerry is also a cancer
survivor. Treated at the Kimmel Cancer Center for stomach cancer,
Jerry, now in remission, is generously contributing to the Kimmel
Cancer Center Quality of Life Fund.
At the KCC, we firmly believe that every patient deserves not only
the most advanced treatment but also the most compassionate
care. Some patients may experience financial strain during cancer
treatment. Often, managing treatment side effects can result in
job loss, the need for child or elder care, the inability to drive,
etc. The Quality of Life fund was established to assist these
patients, enabling them to continue their treatment regime.
Jerry has chosen this unique fund to direct his generous support.
Gerard Tomko Photography will donate the proceeds from
selling film ‘negatives’ from wedding photography directly to
the KCC Quality of Life Fund – providing his customers with
a special donation envelope to spread the joy of their happy day
with cancer patients in financial need.
www.gerardtomkophotography.com
If your business would like to join the Friends of the Kimmel Cancer Center and
contribute, like Jerry, please contact friends@kimmelcancercenter.org for more
information. The KCC can also provide personalized giving envelopes, that can
be used as donations in lieu of flowers or gifts.

15. The Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson hosted the inaugural
“Spirit of Courage” Prostate Cancer Symposium on May 15th.
The day of lectures included regional leaders from Jefferson,
Lankenau Institute for Medical Research and the University
of Delaware.
The symposium launched a new book by Drs. Richard Pestell
and Marja Nevalainen titled ‘Prostate Cancer: Signaling
Networks, Genetics and New Treatment Strategies’. Michael
Milken, founder of the Prostate Cancer Foundation penned
the introduction to the new book, which has been hailed as
the premier text for prostate cancer. Mr. Milken addressed
the audience at the symposium and received the “Spirit of
Courage” award from the Director of the Kimmel Cancer
Center Richard Pestell M.D., Ph.D., and Leonard Gomella
M.D., Chairman of the Department of Urology.
15
Ladies of Port Richmond, raising money for breast cancer research
with Love On Saturday, April 5th
a Comedy
Night was held at Cannstatters
in Philadelphia. The audience
enjoyed a wonderful three course
meal and drinks all the while being
entertained by comedic genius!
The Ladies of Port Richmond had
an extensive array of raffle items
ensuring a winner at almost every
table!
The 4th
Annual Breast Cancer
Walk was held on Sunday, May
18th
at Monkiewicz Playground
Richmond Street & Allegheny
Avenue in Philadelphia. The
happy walkers rose early for the
10am start! Despite the ‘rain or
shine’ invitation, walkers were
thankful that the thunderstorms
waited until the event was over.
The group from the Kimmel
Cancer Center sported the new
T-shirt ‘Treating you with Dignity’
– pictured left.
We are blessed to have a grassroots
group, the Ladies of Port Richmond,
raising money for breast cancer
research at the Kimmel Cancer
Center. Their mission statement
defines a clear and emphatic goal
‘...to increase Breast Cancer
awareness through education;
and help fund research to find
a Breast Cancer cure in our
lifetime”
Mary Lou Leuters, the founder and
president of the group, is a two-
time breast cancer survivor and was
successfully treated at the Kimmel
Cancer Center.
The Ladies have started the
fundraising year in great form.
In February, they appeared in the
Atrium Cafeteria of the hospital
selling breast cancer awareness pins,
socks and just in time for Valentine’s
Day, a dancing bear.
The Spirit of Courage Prostate Cancer
Symposium & V.I.P Book Launch
ABOVE: DR. LEONARD GOMELLA, NEAL
RODIN, MICHAEL MILKEN, DR. ROBERT
BARCHI, DR. MICHAEL VERGARE, MR.
THOMAS LEWIS, DR. RICHARD PESTELL
RIGHT: DR. RICHARD PESTELL, MICHAEL
MILKEN AND DR. MARJA NEVALAINEN -
WITH THEIR LATEST TEXT ON PROSTATE
CANCER
The Kimmel
Cancer Center
at Jefferson
introduces the
Jefferson Pride
Collection
Made in the USA from 100%
silk, this exquisitely designed
necktie is a must for any
distinguished gentleman or
illustrious lady. The Jefferson
Pride Tie exudes those
characteristics synonymous
with our prestigious
institution; Pride, Strength and Unity. Whether you are a
member of our esteemed Alumni, Faculty or staff, a student
or patient, be proud to honor your allegiance to Jefferson,
through the Jefferson Pride Collection.
You can purchase the Jefferson Pride Tie $30 plus $5 packing and postage
online at www.kimmelcancercenter.org/jeffersonpride
JOIN THE KIMMEL CANCER CENTER
GROUP ON FACEBOOK!
The Kimmel Cancer Center invites you to
join it’s Facebook Groups
The Kimmel Cancer Center• &
The Kimmel Quilters•
Maggie Smith, Mary Lou Leuters, Jackie Olinger and Joy Soleiman in
the Jefferson Hospital Atrium in February ‘08
The Kimmel Cancer Center team participants at the Fourth Annual
Breast Cancer Walk in May ‘08

16. September
Bluemle Life Science Building
233 S. 10th Street, Suite 1050
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Non Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
Philadelphia, PA
Permit #276
2 0 0 8 S a v e t h e d a t e !
Mark your calendar well in advance for ~
November 6th
, 2008 Annual Patient & Family Conference “Life After a Cancer Diagnosis” 3:30pm-7pm
Bluemle Life Science Building Room 101
January 31st
, 2009 Nuclear Receptors 2009 Conference - Dorrance H. Hamilton Building, 9am - 5pm
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
31 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30
August AUGUST
25 - Jefferson Journaling : A Program for Women Facing Cancer. 12-1pm KCC Bodine
(11th/Sansom St) Room G312
SEPTEMBER
8 - Look Good...Feel Better : A Free program for women undergoing cancer treatment 1.30-3.30pm
Gibbon Building 2nd Flr Room 2135
11 - Man to Man “Proton Beam Therapy” 12-1.30pm Bluemle Life Science Building
(10th/Locust St) Room 105
18 - Facing Breast Cancer “Breast Cancer Before Age 50” 12-1.30pm Bluemle Life Science Building Room 105
22 - Jefferson Journaling : A Program for Women Facing Cancer. 12-1pm KCC Bodine
(11th/Sansom St) Room G312
24 - Navigating the New Normal “Coping with Survivorship through Mind and Spirit” 6-8.00pm
Bluemle Life Science Building Room 105
On behalf of all at the KCC~ Enjoy your Summer Vacation!!
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
October
OCTOBER
4 - A Place for Me. A program for children whose parent or grandparent has cancer, to help children
understand and cope with a diagnosis of cancer in the family. 10-1:30pm Bluemle Life Science Building
16 - Man to Man “PSA rising Post-Treatment”. 12-1:30pm Dorrance H. Hamilton Building Room 505
23 - Facing Breast Cancer “Screening and Detection” Barbara C. Cavanaugh, M.D. 12-1:30pm
Dorrance H. Hamilton Building Room 505
30 - Current Topics “End-of-Life Issues”, Anne Delengowski, RN, MSN, AOCN. 12-1:30 Dorrance H.
Hamilton Building Room 505