1. The promise of new possibilities
PROGRESS AT NEMOURS CENTER FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER RESEARCH
VOLUME 1
2. Nemours
Your child. Our promise. Whether at the bedside or in the laboratory;
online or out in the community, the dedicated health professionals of Nemours work to
ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential in life.
We honor the legacy of our founder, Alfred I. duPont, and his wish to alleviate
human suffering wherever possible, and most importantly, we honor the patients and
families we so proudly serve by delivering our promise every day.
Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research
VISION: To become a national leader in
cancer research for screening, diagnosis, treatment
and prevention of childhood cancers.
MISSION: To develop novel strategies to advance
awareness, diagnosis, and treatment for children with cancer
by establishing a National Cancer Institute-designated center at
Nemours where scientists, physicians, patients, families
and the community can come together to improve child health.
3. 1
Dear Friends and Families:
On behalf of the members of the Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer
Research (NCCCR), I am pleased to present you with our first update on
NCCCR since its inception in 2008.
NCCCR is a new research facility of Nemours Biomedical Research located
in fully renovated laboratories on the campus of the Alfred I. duPont
Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. Our ongoing efforts will
integrate basic and clinical cancer research facilities at our locations in
Delaware and Florida in order to build a more comprehensive cancer
research organization focused on childhood cancer.
To that end, we have developed internal and external collaborations, sought and received funding from various
sources and begun to build the necessary infrastructure that will help us establish a strong translational
childhood cancer research program and ultimately become a National Cancer Institute-designated childhood
cancer center.
We continue to focus our research efforts in three key areas that are critical to attaining a 100 percent cure rate
of childhood cancers with minimal side effects. Our investigators are working to identify cancer biomarkers,
develop drug delivery approaches and discover new drugs.
Identification of biomarkers should enable early cancer diagnosis and guide therapies targeted to the specific
cancer type, thereby minimizing treatment-related side effects. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery approaches
should enable delivery of drugs directly to cancer cells, sparing normal cells and thus reducing side effects.
Finally, novel targeted drugs discovered by high-throughput screening developed specifically for childhood
cancers should provide potent and selective therapies to combat cancer. In addition to these research efforts,
we also support investigator-initiated clinical trials. We’re also committed to mentoring graduate students and
helping our research and clinical faculty become leading childhood cancer researchers.
I thank each of you for your support and interest in our work. I invite you to read more in the following pages
about our important accomplishments thus far in the fight against childhood cancer. We are committed to saving
children from this debilitating disease. This is just the beginning.
Sincerely,
Ayyappan K. Rajasekaran, PhD
Director, Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research
4. 2
Integration of Childhood
Cancer Research at Nemours
Internal collaborations along with external affiliations,
alliances and partnerships help Nemours Center for Childhood
Cancer Research (NCCCR) integrate our efforts and leverage
resources in our quest to become a national leader
in cancer research for screening, diagnosis,
treatment and prevention of childhood cancers.
NCCCR researchers collaborate with their
clinical colleagues at Nemours Blood and Bone
Marrow Transplant Program and oncology clinics in Wilmington, Delaware, and Jacksonville, Orlando and Pensacola,
Florida. Together they form a team dedicated to bringing new discoveries from the laboratory bench to the patient’s bedside.
To aid in this effort, team members literally have at their fingertips a powerful tool called NemoursOne. This is an
electronic platform across all Nemours sites that connects all of our services and programs and contains a database of all
patient medical records. The system also houses all our research protocols, applications, letters and communication with
investigators. NemoursOne allows clinicians to communicate in real time and view clinical notes, test results and lab reports
simultaneously. NCCCR investigators mine the wealth of valuable clinical data contained in NemoursOne to support their
research projects.
NCCCR external affiliations,
alliances and partnerships:
• Thomas Jefferson University NCCCR
faculty members in Wilmington
have academic appointments at TJU.
Researchers have access to the
research core facilities.
• University of Delaware The NCCCR
faculty members have academic
appointments at UD and can
recruit MS and PhD students for
advanced training in Cancer Biology.
Faculty also have access to University
core facilities.
• Christiana Care Helen F. Graham
Cancer Center NCCCR faculty
members have the opportunity to
conduct clinical trials for adult cancers
that affect families.
• Delaware Health Sciences Alliance
This alliance between Nemours,
Thomas Jefferson University, the
University of Delaware and Christiana
Care Health System provides leadership
in the improvement of health and health
services to all citizens of Delaware and
nurtures research and the development
of advanced technology.
• Delaware Biotechnology Institute
NCCCR members have access to the
Institute’s state-of-the-art technology
and instrumentation.
• Mayo Clinic NCCCR faculty members
in Jacksonville have academic
appointments at Mayo Clinic and work
closely with Mayo Clinic faculty on
several childhood cancer-related studies.
• University of Florida Staff in Jacksonville
have established a collaboration
between Nemours and the University
of Florida to develop applications of
proton beam therapy for treating
childhood brain tumors.
• University of Central Florida NCCCR
faculty members in Orlando have
faculty appointments at the University
of Central Florida.
• Florida State University NCCCR faculty
members in Pensacola have academic
appointments at Florida State
University and are involved in training
residents in pediatric oncology.
Nemours
Children’s Clinic
WILMINGTON // DE
Nemours
Children’s Clinic
JACKSONVILLE // FL
Nemours
Children’s Clinic
ORLANDO // FL
Nemours
Children’s Clinic
PENSACOLA // FL
Nemours Center for
Childhood Cancer Research
WILMINGTON / / DELAWARE
Thomas Jefferson
University
Mayo Clinic
University of
Central Florida
Florida State
University
5. 3
Nemours Childhood Cancer Awareness & Education
Symposium // September 2008 Our first Cancer Awareness
& Education Symposium, held in Wilmington, Delaware, was
sponsored by local institutions and industries and was free to
the public. A diverse audience from every walk of life heard
presentations from cancer program directors, physicians,
researchers, practitioners and social workers. The first day’s
session focused on research and advocacy including talks about
cancers affecting mom (breast) and dad (prostate). The second
day focused on cancers of children, epidemiology and talks
from survivors and supporters. The symposium not only
addressed current childhood cancer research, clinical trials and
treatments, but also the emotional support for the child and
parent. Encompassing all aspects of cancer indicates Nemours’
collective resolve to do “whatever it takes” for better treatment
and to support research toward a 100 percent cure rate.
A special thank you to our sponsors: University of Delaware, Delaware
Cancer Consortium, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, Delaware IDeA Network
of Biomedical Research Excellence, Delaware Biotechnology Institute, Incyte,
Thermo Scientific, Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition and EDIS Company.
Major Accomplishments
Hematology/Oncology Research Translational Meetings
Monthly gatherings of pediatric cancer clinicians, researchers and
students from all four Nemours sites began in February 2008.
The Hematology/Oncology Research Translational Meetings
have been established for participants to share information on
new developments in the field of childhood cancers and to foster
ideas to help diagnose and treat childhood cancers. Attendees
hear presentations from hematologists, oncologists, pathologists
and researchers. In March 2009, Richard Jones, MD, Director,
Bone Marrow Transplant & Co-Director, Hematologic
Malignancies Programs at The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive
Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, spoke on Leukemia Stem Cells.
Future meetings will include invited speakers from other
institutions who are experts on childhood cancers.
Richard Jones, MD, Director, Bone Marrow Transplant
& Co-Director, Hematologic Malignancies
Programs at The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer
Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland
Dr. A. Rajasekaran gives the
welcome address at the 2008
symposium.
John Condeelis, PhD, keynote
speaker, presents his work on
Mechanisms of Metastasis.
6. 4
NCCCR Tumor Bank Tumor banks have played a pivotal role in the
development of diagnostic tools and therapeutic reagents. Major university
hospitals and medical research institutions that provide medical care to the
adult population have tumor banks that facilitate biomarker and drug
discovery research. However, there are very few facilities that store pediatric
tumors. Consequently, biomarker research is underdeveloped for pediatric
cancers. NCCCR has established the Nemours Tissue Procurement Laboratory
(NTPL) to facilitate tissue acquisition from all Nemours Children’s Clinics.
This Nemours pediatric tumor bank is one of only a few in the United States.
It will facilitate our translational research program by providing a direct link
from our physicians to our researchers. The NTPL will enhance our
researchers’ efforts to identify biomarkers for early diagnosis of disease,
predict disease progression and track treatment outcomes.
Drug Discovery Laboratory In mid-2009, the NCCCR recruited Andrew Napper, PhD, to establish a High-
Throughput Screening and Drug Discovery Laboratory. Dr. Napper comes to Nemours from the University of
Pennsylvania, where he was the Director of High-Throughput Screening for the Penn Center for Molecular Discovery, one
of the original ten centers established as part of the National Institutes of Health’s Roadmap initiative to discover drugs
for neglected diseases. The process of discovering a new drug is a proverbial “needle in a haystack.” Pharmaceutical
companies rarely invest significant research and development dollars
into drugs for diseases that don’t affect a large population. However,
several universities and institutions such as NCCCR are becoming
major players in research dedicated to improving the health of specific
populations. Using high-throughput screening (HTS) technology,
Dr. Napper’s lab will be able to rapidly test thousands of chemical
compounds to identify candidates for development into drugs, initially
ones to treat leukemia. While conventional manual methods allow
testing of just a few compounds at a time, HTS screens thousands of
potential drugs in a short time with the use of robotic equipment.
Diana Corao, MD, Director,
Nemours Tissue Procurement Laboratory
Wilmington, Delaware
“As a physician dedicated to research, I’m enthused about leading our health operations at Nemours where we
have so much potential to make a difference. Here, research, such as that occurring at NCCCR, increasingly has
implications at the bedside, in the exam room and in the community.” Roy Proujansky, MD, Executive Vice President,
Health Operations and Chief Operating Officer
Andrew Napper, PhD, Head of
Nemours High-Throughput Screening and Drug
Discovery Laboratory, Wilmington, Delaware
7. 5
Ongoing Research
• Chatchawin Assanasen, MD Research
focuses on improving the access and
participation of adolescents and
young adults into cancer-related
clinical trials, as well as pediatric
cancer epidemiologic studies.
• Sonali Barwe, PhD Research focuses on
identification and characterization of
phospholipid binding proteins involved
in leukemia development and relapse.
• Laurens Holmes, PhD, DrPH Research
focuses on molecular epidemiologic
identification/validation of biomarkers
of risk and on prognosis in major
childhood malignancies.
• E. Anders Kolb, MD Research focuses on
identification of new biomarkers for
insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor
(IGF-1R) therapy and developing
combinatorial therapeutic approaches
to treat drug-resistant osteosarcoma.
• Robert Mason, PhD Research focuses
on the development of inhibitors
of lysosomal proteases as a novel
therapeutic approach to treat
neuroblastoma.
Current Clinical Trials There are several Children’s Oncology Group (COG) and investigator-initiated clinical
trials at all four Nemours sites. In particular, the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Nemours Children’s Clinic in
Jacksonville plays a leading role in conducting clinical trials at Nemours. There are over 90 IRB-approved research
studies currently recruiting patients. These include 79 studies of the COG, as well as studies sponsored by industry and
other multi-center trial groups. Current clinical trials include:
NCCCR laboratory September 2007
NCCCR laboratory May 2009
• Andrew Napper, PhD Research, using
high-throughput screening, focuses on
discovering new inhibitors of histone
methyltransferases, a group of proteins
that play a key role in the development
of leukemia.
• Ayyappan Rajasekaran, PhD, and
Xinqiao Jia, PhD Research focuses
on the development of targeted
delivery of drugs for leukemia using
nanotechnology.
• Sigrid Rajasekaran, PhD Research
focuses on developing safe natural
products as drugs for treating
medulloblastoma.
• Valerie Sampson, PhD Research
focuses on the identification and
characterization of new microRNA
biomarkers for Wilms’ tumor.
• Katia Sol-Church, PhD Research, in
collaboration with Dr. Kolb, focuses
on discovery of new microRNA
biomarkers for IGF-1R treatment-
resistant osteosarcoma using the
SOLiD™ System Next Generation
Sequencing approach.
ABOVE: The NCCCR was established in
January 2008. Today, the main laboratory
in Wilmington, Delaware, has space for
50 researchers and houses the Pediatric
Tumor Bank and Drug Discovery Lab.
JACKSONVILLE // FL
HEAD START III: Dose-intensive chemotherapy for
children less than 10 years of age newly diagnosed
with malignant brain tumors: A pilot study of
induction chemotherapy followed by consolidation
with myeloablative chemotherapy (Thiotepa and
Carboplatin) and autologous stem cell rescue
HLMCC 0402: Glutamic acid to decrease
Vincristine toxicity in children with cancer
SUNSHINE: A multi-center phase I study of
AP23573 in pediatric patients with advanced
solid tumors
PFIZER: An open-label, intravenous to oral
switch, multiple dose study to evaluate the
pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of
Voriconazole in immunocompromised children
aged 2 to <12 years who are at high risk for
systemic fungal infection (A1501088)
WILMINGTON // DE
SCHERING-PLOUGH RESEARCH INSTITUTE: A
study to determine the activity of SCH 717454 in
subjects with osteosarcoma or Ewing’s sarcoma
that has relapsed after standard systemic therapy
IDM PHARMA: MTP-OS-403 liposomal
muramyl tripeptide phosphatidylethanolamine
(L-MTP-PE): compassionate access for high
risk osteosarcoma (treatment site)
8. 6
Grant Funding
ALEX’S LEMONADE STAND $200,000
A two-year, $200,000 award was given
to Robert W. Mason, PhD, to study a
new approach to treat neuroblastoma,
a common childhood cancer that is
very difficult to treat when discovered
in children older than two years of age.
Dr. Mason’s laboratory discovered a
compound that could destroy
neuroblastoma cells without affecting
other rapidly growing cells, promising
a new kind of treatment for this cancer
that will be less harmful to normal
tissues.
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY $720,000
A $720,000 Research Scholar Grant
was awarded to Sigrid Rajasekaran,
PhD, to study the mechanism of
increased function of growth factors in
cancer cells.
B+ FOUNDATION $250,000
A $250,000 inaugural research grant
was given for the purchase of robotic
equipment to start a High-Throughput
Screening (HTS) laboratory to aid in
the discovery of new and potent drugs
to treat pediatric cancers. HTS allows
investigators to rapidly test thousands
of chemical compounds in order to
identify candidates for development
into drugs.
FOSTER FOUNDATION $50,000
A one-year, $50,000 grant was
awarded to E. Anders Kolb, MD, to
study insulin-like growth factor
receptor (IGF-1R) inhibitors in
osteosarcoma, a common bone cancer
in children. IGF-1R inhibitors have
shown promising early results in
clinical trials. Drs. Kolb and Sol-
Church are evaluating gene expression
changes in osteosarcoma tumors
sensitive and resistant to IGF-1R
inhibitors. An understanding of the
cellular events that occur after IGF-1R
inhibition will help identify rational
therapeutic combinations with other
targeted agents, identify markers of
response and provide valuable
information about osteosarcoma biology.
ST. BALDRICK’S FOUNDATION $50,000
A $50,000 infrastructure award was
given to Eric Sandler, MD, to support
the developmental therapeutics
program at Nemours Children’s Clinic
in Jacksonville. The goal of this grant
is to make experimental cancer drug
trials available to children in Florida.
Currently, there is no Phase I cancer
center for children in Florida. In
conjunction with the Moffitt Cancer
Center, All Children’s Hospital and the
Florida Sunshine Project, Nemours is
opening several studies of experimental
cancer treatments.
APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS $20,000
A $20,000 award was given to Katia
Sol-Church, PhD, to identify new
microRNA biomarkers associated with
drug resistance in osteosarcoma. In
this proposal she will use the state-of-
the-art SOLiD™ System Next Generation
Sequencing platform to identify
microRNAs differentially expressed in
drug-resistant osteosarcoma.
NIH COBRE GRANT SUBMISSION
The NCCCR recently applied to
the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) for a Centers of Biomedical
Research Excellence (COBRE) grant.
Ayyappan Rajasekaran, PhD, is the
principal investigator of this grant.
If funded, the $10 million grant
will support the development of
infrastructure and pediatric cancer
research projects at NCCCR.
(Top) Joe McDonough, President,
The Andrew McDonough B+
Foundation, speaks at the press
conference where he awarded NCCCR
the inaugural B+ Research Grant.
(Bottom) Patricia Hoge, RN, PhD,
Executive Vice President of
Mission Delivery Medical Affairs,
American Cancer Society; Alva
Hutchinson, Regional Executive
Director, American Cancer Society;
and Navami Naik, MSS, Lead
Manager, India Programs, American
Cancer Society visit the NCCCR
Wilmington campus.
9. 7
Future Goals
As we continue to move toward our goal of becoming a National Cancer
Institute-designated childhood cancer center, we will further exploit our
strengths as one of the largest research organizations exclusively dedicated to
childhood cancers. Specifically, we will focus on recruiting leading researchers
and building research infrastructure necessary to conduct research to minimize
side effects and improve treatment approaches for childhood cancer, bringing
discoveries from the laboratory to the patient’s bedside.
“All of Nemours enthusiastically
supports the emerging efforts of the
Center for Childhood Cancer
Research. This report details the
Center’s rapid progress under the
leadership of Ayyappan Rajasekaran,
PhD. That progress will be amplified
and accelerated by its close
integration with all aspects of
Nemours and our family-centered
model of care and service.”
David J. Bailey, MD, MBA
Nemours President and CEO
FACULTY RECRUITMENT: One of the major
goals and challenges for NCCCR is
to recruit excellent faculty. We aim to
recruit three to four faculty members
investigating basic cell biology as
well as translational cancer research.
These researchers will have their
laboratory space at NCCCR in
Wilmington, Delaware.
PREDICTION AND PREVENTION OF CANCER
TREATMENT-RELATED SIDE EFFECTS IN
CHILDREN: In collaboration with the
Department of Chemical Engineering
and Mathematical Sciences at the
University of Delaware (UD), we aim
to initiate studies on mathematical
modeling to predict the distribution
and concentration of drugs in various
organs following cancer treatment.
Mathematical and engineering tools
developed by this research will be
used in combination with clinical
knowledge to understand and mitigate
side effects.
EXPANSION OF STUDIES ON
NANOTECHNOLOGY-BASED DRUG DELIVERY
APPROACHES: In collaboration with
scientists at the Department of
Materials Science and Engineering at
UD, we plan to encapsulate various
toxic drugs used in childhood cancer
treatment inside nanoparticles and
deliver them directly to cancer cells
to reduce treatment-related side
effects in children.
TUMOR BANK EXPANSION: We will put
effort into expanding the capabilities
of the tumor bank to extract DNA,
RNA and protein for various
biomarker studies. Also, we will
establish a library of live cells isolated
from cancer tissues, which will be
enormously useful in studies related to
cancer relapse in pediatric cancer
patients. In addition, we aim to build
tissue microarrays for pediatric solid
tumors, which are essential in the
identification and validation of
biomarkers for childhood cancers.
DRUG DISCOVERY: Our goal is to identify
and characterize candidate molecules
suitable for development as drugs for
leukemia within the next three to four
years. We will also explore drug
discovery approaches for other
childhood cancers.
PERSONALIZED MEDICINE FOR CHILDREN
WITH CANCER: Currently, all children
are treated with standard therapies
despite the fact that the cancer and
its response to treatment varies.
Information on biomarkers and
molecular details of the cancer prior
to treatment should enable the design
of personalized treatment for each
child diagnosed with cancer. This
approach should minimize side
effects and improve the cure rate of
childhood cancers.
CENTRALIZED CLINICAL TRIALS: Each of
the Nemours Children’s Clinics (one
in Wilmington and three in Florida)
sees about 60 cancer patients annually.
Therefore, the integrated NCCCR
should have about 250 new patients
per year. This is a major strength,
allowing us to validate biomarkers
and new treatments in our own
investigator-initiated clinical trials.
To achieve this, we are in the process
of integrating all ongoing clinical
trials under NCCCR and recruiting a
clinical trial coordinator to assist with
future investigator-initiated clinical
trials within the Center.
(Continued on page 10)
10. Community Support The Nemours Partnership for Children’s Health, the philanthropic arm of Nemours, is
grateful to have received generous contributions from individuals, corporations and organizations in support of the
Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research. Here are a few examples:
8
Caitlin Robb Foundation
DE MEDICAL SOCIETY ALLIANCE $8,000
The Delaware Medical Society
Alliance donated $8,000 for the
purchase of a Cytospin machine
used to prepare tissue samples for
microscopic analysis to detect
abnormal cells.
BANK OF AMERICA CHARITABLE
FOUNDATION $50,000
Bank of America Charitable
Foundation designated $50,000 to
establish a pediatric tumor bank at
NCCCR. The tumor bank will allow
Nemours to collect and store tissue
samples from pediatric cancer
patients being treated throughout
Nemours. Researchers will use the
samples to identify biomarkers,
predict disease progression and track
treatment outcomes.
CAITLIN ROBB FOUNDATION $95,000
To date, the Caitlin Robb
Foundation has generously donated
$95,000 raised from an annual golf
tournament in support of childhood
cancer research. Their generosity
helps to support the childhood
cancer research activities at NCCCR.
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS $3,248
Each year, the Ladies Auxiliary of
the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
holds a national competition to
raise money for cancer research.
This year, the Delaware Chapter of
VFW selected NCCCR to receive
approximately $3,248 raised for
the state of Delaware.
POCOPSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Kindergartners through fifth graders
from this West Chester, Pennsylvania
school set out to replicate the
paintings of famous artists like
Matisse, O’Keefe and Picasso in
order to decorate the walls of
NCCCR. They produced 25 works of
art that are now proudly displayed
throughout the Center in
Wilmington. We would like to thank
the principal, Dr. Andrew
McLaughlin, and teachers Mrs.
Hayes, Mrs. Simonds and Mrs.Weltz
at Pocopson Elementary for
organizing this beautiful gift for us.
Artwork by the students of Pocopson
Elementary School now graces the walls
of Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer
Research.
11. NCCCR in Florida
Nemours Children’s Clinic // Jacksonville, Florida
Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research // Wilmington, Delaware
NCCCR in Delaware
Members of NCCCR
Members of the Nemours Center
for Childhood Cancer Research
have the opportunity to collaborate
with investigators at the Center,
use the research facilities at the
Center at a discounted membership
rate, and have the opportunity
to obtain seed funds directed
toward childhood cancer research.
Members also receive notification
of translational meetings, seminars,
symposia, and the opportunity to
support children’s health.
We have members from
University of Delaware, Delaware
Biotechnology Institute, Christiana
Care Health System, Florida State University, University of West Florida
and childhood cancer foundations. For more information about becoming
a member, or to view a full list of members, visit our web site:
http://www.nemours.org/link/ncccr
Nemours Children’s Clinic // Orlando, Florida
Nemours Children’s Clinic // Pensacola, Florida
9
“NCCCR has a well-developed plan
to make significant advancements
in childhood cancer research
in the near future. This is clearly
not the largest facility, but the
intellectual firepower, combined
with sincere passion, gives me
great hope and encouragement.
I am fully supportive of the goals
of NCCCR and delighted to be a
member of this team.”
Joe McDonough, President
The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation
12. 10
Graduate Training
The Department of Biomedical Research
at Nemours has a Human Health
Initiative agreement with the Department
of Biological Sciences at the University
of Delaware that enables faculty in the
NCCCR to be primary research thesis
advisors for MS and PhD students.
Students are supported by teaching
assistantships from the university and
research assistantships from Nemours
research programs. Faculty at both
institutions collaborate to mentor and
train students.
CHAIR
Christopher Frantz, MD
Chief of Hematology/Oncology
Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
MEMBERS
Eric Sandler, MD
Chief of Hematology/Oncology
Nemours Children’s Clinic, Jacksonville
Chatchawin Assanassen, MD
Hematology/Oncology
Nemours Children’s Clinic, Pensacola
Paul Pitel, MD
Chair of the Department of Pediatrics
Nemours Children’s Clinic, Jacksonville
Jonathan Powell, MD
Hematology/Oncology
Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
Andrew Walter, MD
Hematology/Oncology
Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
Robin Miller, MD
Hematology/Oncology
Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
Manisha Bansal, MD
Hematology/Oncology
Nemours Children’s Clinic, Jacksonville
Jon Strasser, MD
Attending Radiation Oncologist
Helen F. Graham Cancer Center
Medical Director of Radiation Oncology
Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
NCCCR Clinical Advisory Committee
The members of this committee closely interact with researchers and are
actively involved in our monthly translational meetings that help focus
NCCCR research investigators on translational research.
CHILDHOOD CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY:
We aim to focus on childhood cancer
incidence in both Florida and
Delaware to identify regions that
have increased frequency of specific
childhood cancers. Such studies
should provide insights into the
etiology of childhood cancer and
assist in the identification of new
biomarkers.
COLLABORATIVE STUDY WITH SUPPORTING
KIDDS: NCCCR has teamed with
Supporting Kidds to better
conceptualize cancer as a “family
illness” that requires every family
member to adapt to and manage a
variety of changes in their everyday
lives. A collaborative approach is
being developed to study the
psychological stress in children who
have siblings with cancer, as well as
to develop future interventions
designed to help all children to cope
effectively when their families are
touched by cancer.
SYMPOSIUM 2011: Our next national
symposium is planned for 2011 in
Orlando, Florida. A committee has
been formed and planning is in
progress.
Future Goals (continued from page 7)
Robert W. Mason, PhD, Director of
Nemours Graduate Program, discusses
neuroblastoma research with UD
graduate student Mehrnoosh Soori.
“Cancer is a devastating disease. When I imagine children with cancer it is
even more devastating. Being a member of NCCCR gives me the opportunity
to utilize my extensive training in materials science and engineering to
develop innovative approaches for the treatment of children with cancer.”
Xinqiao Jia, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Materials
Science and Engineering, University of Delaware
13. 11
Ayyappan Rajasekaran, PhD
Director, Nemours Center
for Childhood Cancer Research
Christopher Frantz, MD
Division Chief, Hematology/Oncology
Nemours Children’s Clinic, Wilmington
Paul Gordon, MD
Division Chief, Hematology/Oncology
Nemours Children’s Clinic, Orlando
NCCCR Executive Committee
The members of the NCCCR Executive Committee meet once every two months to
construct the integration of clinical and research activities of the Nemours Children’s
Clinic, recruit faculty, enhance building infrastructure, approve membership and
develop strategies to collaborate with cancer research institutions.
Eric Sandler, MD
Division Chief, Hematology/Oncology
Nemours Children’s Clinic, Jacksonville
Chatchawin Assanasen, MD
Hematology/Oncology
Nemours Children’s Clinic, Pensacola
Richard Davidson, PhD
Administrative Director,
Kimmel Cancer Center,
Thomas Jefferson University
Associate Director for
Shared Resources
Research Professor, Cancer
Biology, Kimmel Cancer
Center, Thomas Jefferson
University, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
Alexa Canady, MD
Professor of Pediatric
Neurosurgery,
Florida State University
School of Medicine
Sacred Heart Hospital,
Pensacola, Florida
NCCCR Scientific External Advisory Board
The NCCCR Scientific External Advisory Board provides guidance toward becoming a leading childhood cancer research
center and NCI designation.
Nicholas J. Petrelli, MD
Bank of America Endowed
Medical Director, Helen F.
Graham Cancer
Center at Christiana Care,
Newark, Delaware,
Professor of Surgery,
Thomas Jefferson University,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Timothy Ratliff, PhD
Director, Purdue Center of
Cancer Research, Purdue
University, West Lafayette,
Indiana and Professor of
Comparative Pathobiology,
Department of Comparative
Pathobiology, School of
Veterinary Medicine, Purdue
University, West Lafayette,
Indiana
Robert Arceci, MD, PhD
King Fahd Professor of
Pediatric Oncology,
Professor of Pediatrics,
Oncology, and Cellular and
Molecular Medicine
Kimmel Comprehensive
Cancer Center at Johns
Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland
