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AI colonoscopy detects precancerous polyps
UCI gastroenterologist William Karnes (right) has developed an AI colonoscopy program that catches smaller precancerous growths sooner, as happened during patient John Gifford’s procedure.
‘TeamNeush’ mobilizes to fight young woman's cancer
In February 2022, Neusha Raffijandi was diagnosed with advanced bile duct cancer. Her family encouraged her to go to the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, which has experts in all types of disease. There, she met UCI Health medical oncologist Dr. Jennifer B. Valerin, who specializes in gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary cancers.
Beating lung cancer at the genetic root
Michelle Helm’s lung cancer journey began as a frustrating, frightening ride through multiple misdiagnoses. Then she found UCI Health specialists who wouldn’t accept the worst-case scenario other doctors had painted for her. Today, the Mission Viejo parenting coach says she is thriving because she was referred to the lung cancer specialists at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she benefited from their arsenal of advanced therapies and surgical expertise.
UC Irvine’s Dr. Shawn Griffin and CSU Fullerton Student Gloria Castañón Researching Health Disparities in Hispanic Populations; Connected Through Cancer Health Equity Research Partnership (CHERP)
Two Orange County universities have partnered to explore cancer disparities in the area, and for Castañón and University of California, Irvine’s Dr. Shawn Griffin, the program has provided a chance to conduct research they feel passionately about.
Cancer Health Disparity Research and Interventional Studies
The Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (CFCCC) is accepting applications for the Cancer Health Disparity Research and Interventional Studies funding opportunity. Up to 3 awards will be issued for budgets up to $200,000 per year for two years. The estimated funding period is February 1, 2024 - January 31, 2026. Applications are due December 22, 2023.
UCI awarded $2.4 million grant to study potential treatment for cancer-related cognitive impairment
UCI has been awarded a five-year, $2.4 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to evaluate the augmentation of brain-derived neurotropic factor to alleviate cancer-related cognitive impairment. This multi-PI project translates findings from past human studies conducted by Alexandre Chan, Pharm.D., M.P.H., principal investigator and chair and professor of clinical pharmacy practice, into the laboratory, with the goal of evaluating the feasibility of enhancing the BDNF protein as a potential strategy for mitigating chemobrain. The study is being conducted in partnership with Munjal Acharya, M.S., Ph.D., associate professor of anatomy and neurobiology.
September 20, 2023 Bulletin
Events, Announcements & Funding Opportunities
CFCCC & CRI Research in Progress Quarterly Seminar: Mei Kong, PhD
Don’t miss Dr. Mei Kong’s talk titled: Dealing with Hunger or Nutrient Overload: How Cancer Cells Respond to Metabolic Stress
October 4, 2023 Bulletin
The Cost of Survival
Gelareh Sadigh, MD, associate professor in residence in the Department of Radiological Sciences, talks to the Radiological Society of North America about how cancer treatment expenses impact the patient's financial hardship, care and imagine adherence.
University of California, Irvine researchers awarded $2.4 million 'Fast Track' grant to develop a novel cancer immunotherapy treatment
The University of California, Irvine, has been awarded a $2.4 million ‘Fast Track’ Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to further develop a highly novel cancer immunotherapy treatment. The project, a joint grant with GlyTR Therapeutics Inc, will build upon work at UCI originally funded by the President Biden Cancer Moonshot Program.
Starve a tumor, feed a cell: How cancers can resist drugs
UCI biologists discover new approach for overcoming drug resistance.
Sleep and Chronic Diseases
Sunmin Lee: "Multimorbidity is a word used to describe the onset of more than one chronic condition occurring at the same time. An example of this would be if a person had both diabetes and cancer. In general, someone with this condition would live an overall lower quality of life considering healthcare providers would have to treat different conditions."
Childhood Cancer Survivors at High Risk of Lifelong Health Challenges, Study Finds
"Another issue for childhood cancer survivors is mental health, with depression rates of 2.3 to 40.8 percent, much higher than the national average of 9.6 percent. They had a greater suicide risk, especially those 28 and older. Adults who survived childhood cancer had a 1.4-fold higher suicide risk than the overall population."
Unlocking the Potential of T Cells: A New Breakthrough in Chronic Infections and Cancer
Assistant Professor Roberto Tinoco and his UC Irvine research team have made a groundbreaking discovery regarding the vital role of a protein called High Mobility Group Box 2 (HMGB2), which was recently published in Nature Communications.
Oct. 18, 2023 Bulletin
Emad Elquza
Eric Vilain
A1 Bridge Funding
The Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (CFCCC) will provide up to $20,000 in bridge funding to investigators who have received scores on NIH grant applications (i.e., not triaged) that have missed the funding pay line and will be resubmitted. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Cancer Prevention Researcher Dr. Sora Tanjasiri
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month, cancer prevention researcher, Sora Park Tanjasiri, DrPH, professor of health, society, and behavior at the UCI Program in Public Health, answers common questions about breast cancer screening guidelines that are meant to reduce the risk of dying from this disease that 3.8 million women in the U.S. live with.