AACR congratulates recipients of minority-serving institution in cancer research awards

The American Association for Cancer Research will recognize leaders in the minority cancer community with the Minority-Serving Institution Faculty Scholars in Cancer Research Awards. The 36 recipients will be honored at the AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011, held April 2-6.

The Minority-Serving Institution Faculty Scholars in Cancer Research Awards are given to scientists who are working at the level of assistant professor or above at a minority-serving institution and who are engaged in meritorious basic, clinical, translational or epidemiological cancer research. Minority-serving institutions include historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities and other post-secondary institutions as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.

The award is intended to increase the scientific knowledge base of faculty members at minority-serving institutions, to encourage them in their research and to assist in inspiring their students to pursue careers in cancer research. It is supported by a grant from the National Cancer Institute's Cancer to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities.

The recipients of the 2011 Minority-Serving Institution Faculty Scholars in Cancer Research Awards include:

• Antonio T. Baines, Ph.D., North Carolina Central University, Durham, N.C.

Abstract #256. Downregulation of Pim-3 kinase inhibits cell growth and chemosensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine

• Hirendra N. Banerjee, M.D., Ph.D., Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, N.C.

Abstract #4939. Analysis of micro RNA status in brain cancer glioblastoma multiforme

• Brandi Brandon Knight, Ph.D., Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga.

• Iona C. Cheng, Ph.D., University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii

Abstract #3760. Associations of risk variants for 20 different malignancies with colorectal cancer in a multiethnic population

Abstract #2755. Association of established risk variants for obesity and type-2 diabetes with dietary intake in the Multiethnic Cohort Study

Abstract #884. Pleiotropic effects on lung cancer of genetic susceptibility variants identified for other malignancies: The multiethnic cohort

Abstract #4732. Cis-expression QTL analysis of established risk variants for colorectal cancer

• Vivian Colon-Lopez, Ph.D., M.P.H., University of Puerto Rico Medical Science Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Abstract #1929. Incidence and mortality rates of penile cancer among men in Puerto Rico and the United States

• Charles desBordes, Ph.D., City University of New York, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Abstract #4069. 2-deoxyglucose and compound C reversed acidification but enhanced growth inhibition in colon cancer cells treated with metformin and phenformin

• Ibtissam Echchgadda, Ph.D., UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas

Abstract #361. Calcitriol-dependent induction of the human sulfotransferase SULT2B1 in the prostate: Implication in the growth inhibition of prostate cancer

• Kristina G. Flores, Ph.D., University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M.

Abstract #891. The association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in folate metabolism genes with hypermethylation patterns in smokers at high risk for lung cancer

• Hernan Flores-Rozas, Ph.D., Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Fla.

Abstract #4475. Inhibition of aminoacid biosynthetic pathways lead to increase sensitivity to anthracyclines in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

• Shanchun Guo, Ph.D., Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga.

Abstract #825. Leptin signaling disruption prevents DMBA-induced mammary tumors in lean and diet-induced-obesity (DIO) mice

Abstract #1009. Leptin induces Src/Gbr2/Gab2/STAT3 activation and Rac-1 crosstalk to regulate VEGF/VEGFR2 in breast cancer

Abstract #4086. Notch, IL-1 and leptin crosstalk outcome (NILCO) is critical for leptin regulation of VEGF/VEGFR-2 in breast cancer

• Ali B. Ishaque, Ph.D., University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Md.

• Stan Ivey, Ph.D., Delaware State University, Dover, Del.

Abstract #5268. CXCR4 and P-glycoprotein N-glycan patterning in developing cancer cells

• Khosrow Kashfi, Ph.D., City University of New York Medical School, New York, N.Y.

Abstract #3128. Hydrogen sulfide-releasing NSAIDs inhibit the growth of cultured human cancer cells: A general property and evidence of a tissue type-independent effect

Abstract #1349. Hydrogen sulfide-releasing aspirin suppresses NF-κB signaling in estrogen receptor negative breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

Abstract #807. Hydrogen sulfide-releasing aspirin modulates xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in vitro and in vivo

Abstract #4608. Hydrogen sulfide-releasing aspirin inhibits the growth of leukemic Jurkat cells and modulates β-catenin expression

Abstract #1353. Hydrogen sulfide-releasing naproxen inhibits HT-29 human colon cancer cell growth: Modulation of NF-κB

Abstract #5560. All three positional isomers of acetyl salicylic acids are equally potent in inhibiting colon cancer cell growth: Differences in mode of COX inhibition

• Ward G. Kirlin, Ph.D., Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga.

Abstract #1850. Benzyl isothiocyanate causes proteasome-mediated degradation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in Hepa1c1c7 cells

• Addanki Pratap Kumar, Ph.D., UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas

Abstract #3544. Jak/Stat signaling: A potential target for pancreatic cancer management

Abstract #4951. 2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME2) induces microRNA alterations in prostate cancer cells: Role for miRs in 2-ME2-induced biological effects

Abstract #851. Interactions among transcription factors as a potential mechanism for inhibiting castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPCa) in transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) through regulation of FLIP

• Dong Liang, Ph.D., Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas

Abstract #4669. Genetic variations in telomere pathway genes and ovarian cancer risk, survival and treatment response

• Amosy E. M'Koma, Ph.D., Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tenn.

• Patrick M. Martin, Ph.D., North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, N.C.

Abstract # 2933. Inhibition of MAPK signaling prevents Fra-1-mediated CD44 expression in human brain tumor cells

• Magaly Martinez-Ferrer, Ph.D., University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Abstract #391. Inflammatory mediators of prostate cancer metastasis

Abstract #1929. Incidence and mortality rates of penile cancer among men in Puerto Rico and the United States

• Ana P. Ortiz Martinez, M.P.H., Ph.D., University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Abstract #1929. Incidence and mortality rates of penile cancer among men in Puerto Rico and the United States

• Sederick C. Rice, Ph.D., University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, Ark.

• Checo J. Rorie, Ph.D., North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, N.C.

Abstract #2141. The differential apoptotic responses of normal breast cells versus luminal and triple negative breast cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents

• Pothana Saikumar, Ph.D., UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas

Abstract #5179. TMEPAI, a negative regulator of Smad signaling switches tumor suppressive TGF- β to a tumor promoter in breast tumorigenesis

• Amos M. Sakwe, Ph.D., Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tenn.

Abstract #2119. Role of annexin A6 in anchorage-independent growth of invasive breast cancer cells

• Temesgen Samuel, D.V.M., Ph.D., Tuskegee Univ. College of Vet. Medicine, Tuskegee, Ala.

Abstract #2005. Modulation of tumor suppressor gene DNA-methylation by quercetin and dietary indoles

• Shengmin Sang, Ph.D., North Carolina A&T State University Center for Excellence in Post-Harvest Technologies, Kannapolis, N.C.

Abstract #4617. Bioactive phytochemicals in wheat bran for colon cancer prevention

• Pedro G. Santiago-Cardona, Ph.D., Ponce School of Medicine, Ponce, Puerto Rico

Abstract #4025. The retinoblastoma protein regulates cell adhesion: Implications for lung cancer progression

• Anjana D. Saxena, Ph.D., City University of New York Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Abstract #2967. Nucleolin phosphorylation by CK2 modulates its role in cell cycle checkpoint activation

• Shailesh Singh, Ph.D., Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga.

Abstract #5257. Expression and functional role of CXCR5 and CXCL13 in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC)

Abstract #940. Expression and functional role of CCR9 in lung cancer

• Chung Seog Song, Ph.D., UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas

Abstract #361. Calcitriol-dependent induction of the human sulfotransferase SULT2B1 in the prostate: Implication in the growth inhibition of prostate cancer

• Maribel Tirado-Gómez, M.D., University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Abstract #2766. DNA methylation status of MLH1, p16 and SOCS1 in Puerto Rican patients with acute myeloid leukemia

• Ratna K. Vadlamudi, Ph.D., University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas

Abstract #1464. Significance and therapeutic potential of PELP1 axis in ER-negative breast cancer

Abstract #73. PELP1 is a novel reader of chromatin modifications: Implications in cancer progression

Abstract #1733. Therapeutic significance of ERα—PELP1 axis in blocking endocrine therapy resistance

Abstract #2297. ERβ agonists reduce letrozole resistant breast cancer cell growth and diminish aromatase expression and activity

• Cynthia M. van Golen, Ph.D., Delaware State University, Dover, Del.

Abstract #2085. Reactive oxygen species promote signaling in neuroblastoma cells

Abstract #2924. IGF-IR inhibition induces MAPK signaling in prostate carcinoma cells

Abstract #2425. Mechanisms of neuroblastoma metastasis to bone

Abstract #1435. Analyzing the role of CXCR and IGF-IR in modulating actin dynamics in neuroblastoma cells

• Pablo E. Vivas-Mejía, Ph.D., University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Abstract #1706. Microarray analysis of gene expression reveals that several mTOR related genes are upregulated in cisplatin resistant ovarian cancer cells

Abstract #937. Molecular dynamics of SrcS17 activation in chronic stress-induced tumor growth

Abstract #1735. Silencing survivin splice variant 2B leads to antitumor activity in taxane-resistant ovarian cancer

Abstract #1618. Erythropoietin meets a new receptor

Abstract #4457. In search of a novel EPO receptor: The clinical significance of the Eph connection

• Clement G. Yedjou, Ph.D., Jackson State University, Jackson, Miss.

Abstract #1322. Molecular mechanisms of high glucose-induced toxicity in human breast adenocarcinoma (Mcf-7) cells

Abstract #4209. Genotoxic effects of arsenic trioxide-induced oxidative stress in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells

• Beatriz Zayas, Ph.D., Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Abstract #4474. Cellular effects of fluorescent quinolinium drugs on normal lymphoblast and A431 carcinoma cells
Abstract #1342. Effects of the plasticizer metabolite 2 ethyl-1-hexanol on human lymphoblast cells

Provided by American Association for Cancer Research