University of Minnesota's Masonic Cancer Center researcher receives $2.5 million to investigate rare cancer
From the University of Minnesota's Masonic Cancer Center
April 5th, 2010 | Minnesota residents diagnosed with MDS between April 1, 2010 and October 31, 2014, and a comparable number of Minnesotans without MDS, will be invited to participate.
Masonic Cancer Center scientist Julie Ross, Ph.D., Children's Cancer Research Fund's Chief Medical Advisor, has been awarded a $2.5 million grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to lead a study of adults in Minnesota with a rare cancer called myelodyplastic syndrome (MDS), which can lead to a form of leukemia.
This is the largest-of-its-kind study, aiming to identify environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors that may predispose a person to MDS.
Only about 10,000 people per year in the United States get MDS, but for unknown reasons, Minnesota has one of the highest rates of the disease. The disease is more common in men, affects predominantly older people with the average age being 75 years, and can have a poor prognosis.
About 1,400 Minnesotans – 700 between ages 20 and 85 who have MDS and 700 without the cancer – will be invited to participate in this five-year study. Ross’s research team includes cancer investigators at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minnesota Department of Health, and Mayo Clinic in Rochester. The investigators will work with physicians and health care providers in Minnesota and neighboring states to identify Minnesota residents who may be eligible for this study.
MDS involves a group of diseases of the blood and bone marrow. It’s similar to leukemia in that the bone marrow does not make enough healthy blood cells. About one-third of patients with MDS go on to develop acute myeloid leukemia.
"Our goal is identify factors that will help us better understand MDS and why some people eventually develop acute myeloid leukemia," says Ross, professor and director of the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Division of Pediatric Epidemiology and Clinical Research, and member of the Masonic Cancer Center Carcinogenesis and Chemoprevention and Prevention and Etiology research programs.
"We will focus on environmental and lifestyle exposure," says Ross. "Plus, we will compile genetic information from participant samples. What we learn from the group as a whole may help physicians and other healthcare providers to treat and follow patients who have characteristics common to MDS."
Individuals with MDS can receive more information about this study by calling 1-866-434-9879, emailing MDSStudy@umn.edu or visiting www.cancer.umn.edu/AIMMSStudy.
Minnesota cancer investigators working with Ross on this study include Erica Warlick, M.D., Adina Cioc, M.D., Betsy Hirsch, Ph.D., and Anne Jurek, Ph.D., University of Minnesota; James Cerhan, M.D., Ph.D., and Phuong Nguyen, M.D., at Mayo Clinic; and Sally Bushhouse, Ph.D., and John Soler, M.P.H. at Minnesota Department of Health.
Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota is part of the University’s Academic Health Center. It is designated by the National Cancer Institute as a comprehensive cancer center for cancer research, treatment, and education. For more information, call 612-624-2620 or visit www.cancer.umn.edu.
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