‘I don’t want to be only person cured of HIV’
Yesterday’s The Seattle Times ran a nice article about Seattle native Timothy Ray Brown, who was the first person that’s ever been cured of the AIDS virus. Brown underwent two bone-marrow transplants in Germany using cells from a donor whose immune system contains a mutation that blocks the AIDS virus. Brown will be appearing this evening at Seattle University at the From One to Many event sponsored by Fred Hutch.

The Supreme Court’s Sketchy Science
Last week the Supreme Court made big news with their unanimous ruling that genes cannot be patented–see last Friday’s post for a quick news summary. Slate, however, takes issue parts of the ruling and wonders if the “court’s misunderstanding of it [cDNA] demonstrates that science policy should not be dictated by people who don’t have a firm grasp of the science.”

In Other Cancer News
The Atlantic reports on a study that shows that a daily dose of sunscreen not only protects you against cancer, but can also mean fewer wrinkles. The BBC posts a somber report that states that half of the population of the UK will get cancer in their lifetime. And a hospice nurse relates a moving story about one of her cancer patients.

Felicia Marie Knaul

Two events this week will cover global challenges to cancer care and the need for expanded access to care in low-and middle-income countries. Speakers at both events – a book launch tomorrow, June 18, and a community lecture on Wednesday, June 19 – include author and Director of the Harvard Global Equity Initiative Felicia Marie Knaul, HRH Princess Dina Mired of Jordan, Harvard School of Public Health Dean Dr. Julio Frenk, and SCCA Director of Breast Medical Oncology Dr. Julie Gralow.

Tomorrow, June 18, Felicia Marie Knaul will speak at the launch of her book “Beauty without the Breast.” The book is a personal testimony of life with cancer, an account of treatment received in Mexico and at SCCA, and a call to action for expanded access to care in low-and middle-income countries. The book includes forewords by Paul Farmer and Dr. Julie Gralow, and an epilogue by Dr. Julio Frenk. Tomorrow’s event will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) Arnold Building, Room M1 A303. The event will be hosted by SCCA, in partnership with the University of Washington, FHCRC, the Harvard Global Equity Initiative, and the Global Task Force on Expanded Access to Cancer Care and Control in Developing Countries.

A Jill Bennett Academic Community Lecture on Wednesday, June 19, titled “Closing the Cancer Divide: The Global Challenge” will take place at FHCRC’s Pelton Auditorium from noon to 1p.m. The lectureship pays tribute to Jill Bennett, who passed away at a young age from breast cancer, and was established to bring scholars from the fields of breast cancer care, research, and training to Seattle. This preview of the inaugural lectureship is open to the academic cancer community. Please RSVP to Katie Fitzmaurice at kfitzmau@seattlecca.org.

Here’s a sampling of how the decision is being received in the research community and beyond, starting with the woman who first discovered the BRCA1 gene in 1990, Mary-Claire King:

Dr. Mary-Claire King

• “The Supreme Court ruling is splendid for patients, their families, their physicians, scientists and common sense.” Mary-Claire King, from the Seattle Times.
• KUOW’s Marcie Sillman spoke with Dr. King at length on Friday morning. The interview covers lots of territory and well worth a listen.
• NPR’s Ira Flatow interviews Dr. King about the ruling on Talk of the Nation’s Science Friday.
• NBC News gauges the reaction about the decision in the medical and research communities.
• The New York Times considers how the ruling will make testing more available for women.
• Yesterday, Dr. Colin Pritchard, who oversees UW-OncoPlex, reflected on the decision and what it means for cancer research and patients in this SCCABlog post.

Genes are the blueprint of all living things, and are fundamentally anatomy or “products of nature” in the same way as our heart, liver, or brain.  Through its landmark decision the Supreme Court has recognized that genes are part of our bodies, and our bodies should not be owned by private companies.

Dr. Colin Pritchard is Assistant Professor, Laboratory Medicine and Associate Director of The Clinical Molecular Genetics Laboratory at University Washington Medicine. He also oversees UW-OncoPlex, a multi-marker cancer-sequencing test. 

Yesterday, Jesse Jones at KING 5 News told the story of Joy Griffith, including an interview with SCCA’s Dr. Lehman about screening for women at high risk for breast cancer. Joy’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 46, so her doctor recommended she start screening early. Joy later found out her insurance, which is through the state employee’s plan, would not cover the mammogram. Washington state law says that a screening mammogram must be covered if a doctor recommends it, but the state employee’s plan is self-insured, so is not mandated to follow the law. Joy’s two appeals to the insurance company were denied, so she called Jesse.

Yesterday’s news story prompted the health care plan’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Daniel Lesser, to overturn the denial and cover Joy’s mammogram. In addition, he has called for a full review of the plan’s mammogram policy. Please click here to view Jesse’s original story about Joy. The follow-up story about the plan’s review of its current policy is here.

Timothy Ray Brown

“The way to change the impact of HIV is to eradicate it,” according to Dr. Keith Jerome, an associate member of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC). On Wednesday, June 19, the first person in the world to be cured of HIV will be at the event From One to Many: The Cure Agenda for HIV/AIDS at Fred Hutch.

Timothy Ray Brown, the “Berlin Patient,” had HIV for years and later developed leukemia. A bone marrow transplant cured both his leukemia and his HIV, demonstrating that it is possible to cure HIV. defeatHIV, a consortium of investigators centered at FHCRC whose goal is to eradicate HIV, is hosting Wednesday’s event. The event starts at 6 p.m. at Seattle University’s Pigott Building, and will include a moderated panel discussion at 7 p.m. with Timothy Ray Brown and defeatHIV researchers. For more information about Wednesday’s event and defeatHIV, please visit the event website. Learn more about Timothy Ray Brown at ABC and NPR; both outlets ran stories about Brown and his treatment last summer.

PEGPH20 for Stage IV Untreated Pancreatic Cancer (2687)
A Phase 2, Randomized, Multicenter Study of PEGPH20 (PEGylated Recombinant Human Hyaluronidase)Combined With Nab-Paclitaxel Plus Gemcitabine Compared With Nab-Paclitaxel Plus Gemcitabine in Subjects With Stage IV Previously Untreated Pancreatic Cancer

Immunotherapy for Advanced CD19+ Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (2639)
Phase I/II Study of Immunotherapy for Advanced CD19+ Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma with Defined Subsets of Autologous T Cells Engineered to Express a CD19-Specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor

Outpatient Induction Chemotherapy for Newly Diagnosed AML or MDS (7910)
Feasibility of Outpatient Induction Chemotherapy for Adult Patients With Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia or Advanced Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Novel Markers to Predict Malignancy in Elevated-Risk Women (Novel Markers Trial–6973)
A Randomized Controlled Trial Using Novel Markers to Predict Malignancy in Elevated-Risk Women (Novel Markers Trial)

Shortly after Bob Middleburg was diagnosed with sarcoma, he and his wife Carol decided to use their talent for making soap to help raise funds for sarcoma research. The Middleburgs own Townsend Bay Soap Company, and created Bob’s Kickin’ Cancer Soap with the goal of raising $5,000 for SCCA’s sarcoma research program. Bob recently finished his fourth week of a five-week radiation schedule, and has already raised $2,000 by selling hundreds of bars of soap since early May. After he completes radiation, Bob and Carol will travel to SCCA for surgery.

Bob’s Kickin’ Cancer Soap is made in small batches in the basement of the Middleburg’s home, and comes in four scents: Olympic Woods, Lavender Mist, Sunny Day, and Hawaiian Hut. Sarcoma receives less than 1 percent of cancer-research funding, and by donating $5 of the $5.45 cost of each bar to sarcoma research, Bob and Carol hope that Bob’s Kickin’ Cancer Soap will not only raise funds for research, but also increase awareness of the disease. Bob’s Kickin’ Cancer Soap is sold at multiple retail locations, and can also be purchased via the Townsend Bay Soap Company’s website. For more information about the Middleburgs and Townsend Bay Soap Company, watch a video of how they manufacture their soap, and read this article in the Peninsula Daily News.

Also, Dr. Hingorani will be speaking at an education seminar sponsored by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network tomorrow afternoon at the Sheraton Hotel starting at 3:25pm. Pancreas cancer survivors, caregivers, and advocates can register to attend the seminar for free (online registration is now closed, but here’s information on how you can attend). Other speakers include Drs. Vincent Picozzi and Kevin Vorenkamp from Virginia Mason.

All strawberries contain an impressive combination of different phytonutrients including anthocyanins, flavonols, terpenoids, and phenolic acids. More than other fruit, ripeness has a large impact on the phytonutrient content of strawberries, especially the polyphenols.

Kaempferol is one of these. Kaempferol is a flavonol (a flavonoid polyphenol) that has been shown to help make cancer cells more sensitive to anti-cancer agents such as chemotherapy. It is also a strong antioxidant that helps prevent DNA damage that can lead to cancer-promoting mutations. Kaempferol is somewhat unique in that it has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth, inhibit blood supply formation for cancer cells, and promote cancer cell death while preserving normal cell survival. These cancer fighting properties can be enhanced when kaempferol is consumed with quercetin, another phytonutrient. Fortunately, both of these phytonutrients come conveniently and deliciously packaged together in strawberries.

Strawberry-Spinach Salad with Balsamic Reduction Dressing

The recipe below provides extra kaempferol, quercetin and other phytonutrients from spinach, pecans, and cucumbers. It also serves as proof that strawberries aren’t just for dessert!

Ingredients

• 8 oz washed spinach, torn into small pieces
• ½ c. diced celery
• 1 c. sliced English cucumber
• 2 c. fresh strawberries, sliced
• 2 oz honey pecans
• 1 recipe balsamic dressing (below)
• 2 oz crumbled goat cheese (optional)

Preparation

1. Toss together spinach, celery, cucumber, strawberries, and pecans.
2. Add dressing and toss well to coat.
3. Divide between 4 plates. If desired, add crumbled goat cheese. Enjoy!

Balsamic Reduction Dressing

Ingredients

• ½  c balsamic vinegar
• 2 T. honey
• ¼ c. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 t. finely chopped fresh rosemary or tarragon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the vinegar and honey to a boil.
2. Immediately reduce heat to medium or medium-low until mixture just simmering.
3. Simmer until the mixture is reduced to half. This will take about 5-7 minutes.
4. When mixture has cooled, whisk in olive oil, herbs and salt, and pepper to taste.

Kim Jordan is the Manager of Medical Nutrition Therapy Services at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.