The Case Western Reserve University Comprehensive Cancer Center has been awarded a $3.3 million grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute of Aging (NIA) to integrate aging and cancer research over a broad spectrum of basic and clinical sciences and to study the impact of age and aging on the basic biology and clinical course of cancer.

During the next five years, Nathan A. Berger, the Hanna-Payne Professor of Experimental Medicine and principal investigator, along with co-investigator Jerome Kowal, the Amasa B. Ford Professor of Geriatric Medicine, will coordinate collaborative efforts between cancer and aging researchers from Case's School of Medicine, College of Arts and Sciences and Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing.

"The integration of cancer and aging research has become a critical challenge and an important opportunity," Berger said.

Studies will be carried out in association with University Hospitals of Cleveland, the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and the MetroHealth System to investigate cancer prevention, detection and treatment in elderly patients. Studies will consist of clinical trials to examine the efficacy and tolerance of new therapeutic regimens in older patients and to evaluate side effects of therapy when they occur along with other conditions commonly found in older patients. Fundamental research also will be conducted to examine the biology of aging and cancer.

Specific research projects to be funded in the first year of the grant include Age Related Changes in Brain Tumor Biology, Regulation of Clusterin (a DNA repair protein) in Cancer and Aging, Pharmacokinetics and Toxicity Assessment in Clinical Trials; Impact of Treatment with Taxanes on Peripheral Nerve Function in Older Cancer Patients with Diabetes; and Development of New Methods to Avoid Comorbid Conditions in Elderly Patients with Cancer.

In addition to direct support for research, the grant will fund the operation of core facilities to provide technical support for these programs and for recruitment of new faculty members. Funding also will be used to support conferences and meetings to examine and plan new approaches to cancer in the elderly. Training programs also will be developed to provide oncologists with clinical skills and knowledge, so they will be better prepared to care for older patients with cancer.

Return to the online edition of the 11-6-03 Campus News.