The Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO (CCF) is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2017 CCF Merit Awards in Gastrointestinal Cancers, Cancer Survivorship, Genitourinary Cancers, Immuno-Oncology, and Quality Care. The following 65 young researchers, recognized for the scientific merit of their abstracts and their valuable contributions to their areas of study, accepted their awards and presented their research findings at recent thematic symposia.
The 2017 CCF of ASCO Merit Awards are supported by Amgen, AstraZeneca, Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals Inc, Janssen Oncology, Kidney Cancer Association, Lilly, Merck & Co, Inc, Novartis Oncology, and Takeda Oncology.
2017 CCF Merit Awards in Gastrointestinal Cancers
Twenty-five Merit Award recipients were recognized at the 2017 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, which took place January 19–21 in San Francisco, California. The recipients and their abstracts are:
- Nicholas G. Berger, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin
Two-Stage Hepatectomy for Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Multi-institutional Retrospective Review (Abstract 351) - Martin D. Berger, MD
University of Southern California, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
Effect of JAK2 SNP rs2274472 on Outcome for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated With First-Line FOLFIRI and Bevacizumab: Data From FIRE-3 Trial (Abstract 595) - David G. Brauer, MD, MPHS
Washington University School of Medicine
Analysis of the Effect of Adjuvant Therapy on Overall Survival for Resected Gallbladder Adenocarcinoma Using the National Cancer Database (Abstract 360) - Anna Capasso, MD
University of Colorado Denver
Rational Combination Therapy in Young vs Older Patients With Advanced Colorectal Cancer (Abstract 612) - John David, MD
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Effect of Neoadjuvant Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer on Toxicity and Pathologic Response (Abstract 693) - Cecilia Grace Ethun, MD
Emory University
HSP90 Expression and Early Recurrence in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Potential for Novel Therapeutic Targets (Abstract 235) - Julie G. Grossman, MD
- Washington University School of Medicine
Targeting Inflammatory Monocytes in Human Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (Abstract 605) - Arjun Gupta, MD
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Racial and Gender Disparities in Therapy and Outcomes of Squamous Cell Cancer of the Anus (Abstract 691) - Khurum Hayat Khan, MBBS, MRCP
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
MRI, Liquid Biopsies, and Patient-Derived Organoids as Biomarkers of Response to Regorafenib in Treatment-Refractory Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients (Abstract 613) - Dae Won Kim, MD
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Prognostic Value of CD8+CD45RO+ Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and PD-L1 in Cholangiocarcinoma (Abstract 286) - Dong Uk Kim, MD
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Larger Size Extracellular Vesicle as Early Biomarker in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer (Abstract 234) - Anuradha Krishnamurthy
University of Colorado
A Phase IB Study of the Combination of Selumetinib and Cyclosporin A in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors With an Expansion Cohort in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (Abstract 609) - Alexandra G. Lopez-Aguiar, MD
Emory University Hospital
Effect of Perioperative Transfusion on Recurrence and Survival After Resection of Distal Cholangiocarcinoma: A 10-Institution Study From the U.S. Extrahepatic Biliary Malignancy Consortium (Abstract 236) - Jonathan M. Loree, B.MSc, MD, FRCPC
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
RAS Heterogeneity as a Prognostic Marker in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (Abstract 586) - Yuji Miyamoto, MD, PhD, FACS
University of Southern California, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
Polymorphisms in Adipokine-Related Genes to Predict Treatment Outcomes in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treated With Bevacizumab-Based Chemotherapy (Abstract 600) - Mustafa Raoof, MD, MS
City of Hope
Adjuvant Chemoradiation for Node-Positive Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Propensity-Matched Analysis (Abstract 347) - Talha Shaikh, MD
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Underuse of Microsatellite Instability Testing and Predictors of High Microsatellite Instability Disease Among Young Colorectal Cancer Patients (Abstract 534) - Matthew S. Strand, MD
Washington University School of Medicine
Precision Delivery of RAS-Inhibiting siRNA to Pancreatic Cancer via Peptide-Based Nanoparticles (Abstract 287) - Mitsukuni Suenaga, MD, PhD
University of Southern California, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
Role of Genetic Polymorphisms in CCL5/CCR5 Axis to Predict Efficacy of Regorafenib in Patients With Refractory Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (Abstract 596) - Monica Tang, MBBS
Prince of Wales Hospital
Correlation of Phase 2 Trials Results With Outcomes of Phase 3 Trials of Investigational Agents in Locally Advanced and Metastatic Pancreas Cancer (Abstract 227) - Thuy Tran, MD
Stanford University School of Medicine
Actual 5-Year Survivors Following Resection of Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma (Abstract 352) - Matthias Unseld, MD, PhD
Medical University of Vienna
Soluble CD87 Predicts Bevacizumab-Based First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Results From a Prospective Multicenter Study (Abstract 604) - Benjamin Adam Weinberg, MD
Georgetown University
Molecular Characterization of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal (Abstract 538) - Irene S. Yu
British Columbia Cancer Agency
Comparison of 5-FU vs Capecitabine in Combination With Mitomycin or Cisplatin in the Treatment of Anal Cancer (Abstract 680) - Jim Zhong, MD
Emory University
Comparison of Outcomes in Patients With Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Treated With Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy vs Conventionally Fractionated Radiation: An Analysis of the National Cancer Database (Abstract 366)
2017 CCF Merit Awards in Cancer Survivorship
Five Merit Award recipients were recognized at the 2017 Cancer Survivorship Symposium, which took place January 27–28 in San Diego, California. The recipients and their abstracts are:
- Jennifer Elise Agrusa, MD
Baylor College of Medicine
Risk for Pulmonary Late Effects in Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors (Abstract 112) - Marta Capelan, MD
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Ongoing Needs in 625 Women Living Beyond Early Breast Cancer (Abstract 139) - Elizabeth M. Cespedes Feliciano, ScD, ScM
Kaiser Permanente Division of Research
High Prevalence of Sarcopenia and Predictors of Body Composition Among Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer (Abstract 160) - Lawson Eng, MD
Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Awareness Among Patients With Cancer of the Harms of Continued Smoking (Abstract 179) - Xiaotao Zhang, MB, MS
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Prevalence of Vitamin D Insufficiency and Falls in Older Cancer Patients (Abstract 138)
2017 CCF Merit Awards in Genitourinary Cancers
Twenty CCF Merit Award recipients were recognized at the 2017 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, which took place February 16–18 in Orlando, Florida. The recipients and their abstracts are:
- Davide Bimbatti, MD
Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, University of Verona
Changes in Tumor Burden and IMDC Class After Active Surveillance for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (Abstract 435) - Maria Isabel Carlo, MD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
The Genomic Landscape of Metastatic Non–clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (Abstract 474) - Melvin Chua, MBBS, FRCR, PhD
Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Genomic Architecture of Radioresistant Prostate Cancer (Abstract 26) - Lisa Derosa, MD
Department of Cancer Medicine, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Paris-Sud University
Impact of Antibiotics on Outcome in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (Abstract 462) - Gary Doherty, MB BChir, MA, PhD, MRCP
University of Cambridge
A Novel Strategy for Axitinib Dosing in the Treatment of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (Abstract 464) - Farhad Fakhrejahani, MD
National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health
Avelumab in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (Abstract 159) - Vincent Faugeroux
Gustave-Roussy
Whole-Exome Sequencing of Single Circulating Tumor Cells Is a Useful Tool for Studying the Intrapatient Genetic Heterogeneity in Metastatic Prostate Cancer (Abstract 148) - Andrew W. Hahn, MD
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Independent Validation of Effect of HSD3B1 Genotype on Response to Androgen-Deprivation Therapy in Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer (Abstract 172) - Ghayathri Jeyakumar, MD
Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University
Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Clinical Biomarker Predictive of Outcomes With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy in Genitourinary Cancers (Abstract 453) - Amar Upadhyaya Kishan, MD
University of California, Los Angeles
Radiotherapy vs Radical Prostatectomy for Gleason Score 9-10 Prostate Adenocarcinoma: A Multi-institutional Comparative Analysis of 1,001 Patients Treated in the Modern Era (Abstract 7) - Ross Erik Krasnow, MD, MS
Division of Urology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Effectiveness of Adjuvant Chemotherapy After Radical Nephroureterectomy for Locally Advanced and/or Positive Regional Lymph Node Upper Tract Urothelial Aarcinoma (Abstract 305) - Joaquin Mateo, MD
The Institute of Cancer Research & The Royal Marsden
Changes in Circulating Cell-Free Plasma DNA and Circulating Tumor Cells During Treatment Associated With Clinical Outcome From Olaparib in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Exploratory Analyses From the TOPARP-A Trial (Abstract 141) - Raphael Brandao Moreira, MD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Clinical Activity of PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors in Metastatic Non–clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (Abstract 482) - Matthew Mossanen, MD
Division of Urology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Characterizing the Costs of Complications After Cystectomy: Can We Target the Primary Drivers? (Abstract 304) - Lucia Nappi, MD, PhD
British Columbia Cancer Agency
Molecular Dissection of Primary Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumors (Abstract 417) - Narek Shaverdian, MD
David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California
Impact of the Primary Information Source Used for Decision Making and Implications for Treatment Regret in Prostate Cancer (Abstract 17) - Werner J. Struss, MD, FEBU, FECSM
Vancouver Prostate Centre/Urologic Sciences
Germline DNA-Repair Mutations in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Therapy Response and Applicability of Circulating Tumor DNA (Abstract 140) - MinYuen Teo, MB, MRCP
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Small Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder: Clinical, Histopathologic, and Genomic Predictors of Clinical Outcomes (Abstract 294) - Abhishek Tripathi, MD
Baystate Medical Center
Impact of Variant Histology on Disease-Specific Mortality and Survival in Patients with Non–muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Population-Based Analysis (Abstract 332) - Steven Yip, MD, MSc
University of Calgary
Real-World Experience of Immuno-oncology Agents in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Results From the IMDC (Abstract 492)
2017 CCF Merit Awards in Immuno-Oncology
Five CCF Merit Award recipients were recognized at the 2017 ASCO-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium, which took place February 23–25 in Orlando, Florida. The recipients and their abstracts are:
- Limo Chen, PhD
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
CD38 as a Novel Immune Checkpoint and a Mechanism of Resistance to the Blockade of the PD-1/PD-L1 Axis (Abstract 79) - Vancheswaran Gopalakrishnan, MPH
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Association of Diversity and Composition of the Gut Microbiome With Differential Responses to PD-1–Based Therapy in Patients With Metastatic Melanoma (Abstract 2) - Todd Cory Knepper, PharmD
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
Pan-cancer Opportunities for Off-Label Immunotherapy Based on Nonsynonymous Mutation Burden (Abstract 14) - Steven Brad Maron, MD
University of Chicago
Identification of T-Cell–Inflamed Gastric Adenocarcinoma in The Cancer Genome Atlas (Abstract 16) - Oladapo O. Yeku, MD, PhD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells Genetically Engineered to Deliver IL-12 to the Tumor Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer (Abstract 141)
2017 CCF Merit Awards in Quality Care
Ten CCF Merit Award recipients were recognized at the 2017 Quality Care Symposium, which took place March 3–4 in Orlando, Florida. The recipients and their abstracts are:
- Eman Biltaji, PhD, MS, BPharm
University of Utah
Impact of Genomic Profiling on Treatment Decisions for Patients With Melanoma and Colorectal Cancer Cohorts (Abstract 66) - David Johnson Einstein, MD
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Improving End-of-Life Care: Palliative Care Embedded in an Outpatient Oncology Clinic (Abstract 77) - Louise Ming-Wai Man, MD
University of Virginia
A Multidisciplinary Effort to Decrease Time From Admission to Chemotherapy on an Inpatient Oncology Unit (Abstract 96) - Aaron Philip Mitchell, MD
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Pharmaceutical Assistance Foundations in the Financing of Cancer Care (Abstract 8) - Mohammed Athar Naeem, MD, PhD
University of Virginia
Reducing Invasive Fungal Infections in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia Receiving Induction and Re-induction Chemotherapy at the University of Virginia Health System (Abstract 120) - Lakshminarayanan Nandagopal, MD
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Improving Hepatitis B Screening Prior to Rituximab at a Multispecialty Urban Hospital (Abstract 176) - Andrew Shaw, MD
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Improving Patient Care Through Implementation of a QOPI-Focused Interactive Patient Note Template (Abstract 197) - Rudy Sam Suidan, MD, MS
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
A Cost-Utility Analysis of Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping, Selective Lymphadenectomy, and Routing Lymphadenectomy in the Management of Low-Risk Endometrial Cancer (Abstract 10) - Melisa L. Wong, MD
University of California, San Francisco
Improving Documentation of Surrogate Decision Makers in Medical Oncology Clinic (Abstract 63) - Dimas Yusuf, MD
Cross Cancer Institute
Oncopre: A New Chemotherapy Benefit Prediction Model to Assist Treatment Decision-Making (Abstract 126) ■
© 2017. American Society of Clinical Oncology. All rights reserved.
