Precision Medicine: Small Scale, Big Impact
6th Annual CCF Research Symposium
June 8, 2022
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the day possible. Photos and recordings of the presentations will be available on this page by the end of June.
Since 2016, the CCF Research Symposium brings together regional experts, advocates, survivors and trainees to share research and advance the treatment of childhood cancer through regional collaboration.
Listing of presentations below:
Precision Medicine: Small Scale, Big Impact
6th Annual CCF Research Symposium
June 8, 2022
* 2021 CCF Research Grant Funded researcher or representative
Session I: Small Round Blue Cell Tumors
Tara Suntum, M.D., Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center (Georgetown Lombardi), “Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer: Importance of Small Round Blue Cell Tumors (rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma)”
Aaliyah Beckles, College student and patient with rhabdomyosarcoma
*Emre Deniz, Ph.D. Georgetown Lombardi, “Ezrin Asserts its Roles on Osteosarcoma Metastasis Through Interacting with RNAs”
*Patience Odeniyide, M.D., Johns Hopkins Medicine (Johns Hopkins), “Targeting oncogenic HRAS via vertical RAS pathway inhibition in HRAS-mutated human rhabdomyosarcoma”
Rosa Nguyen M.D., Ph.D. National Cancer Institute at NIH (NCI), “Novel immunocytokines mediate potent anti-tumor cytotoxicity against neuroblastoma”
Keynote Address – Jack Shern, M.D. Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center of Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, “Targeted Treatment Strategies based on Understanding of the Molecular Mechanisms of Tumors”
Session II: Tumor Microenvironment
*Kristin Wessel, M.D., NCI, “It’s not just the cancer, it’s the neighborhood it grows in: Addressing the Microenvironment”
Stewi Corno, Mother and Advocate of Cameron Corno, young child with Anaplastic Ependymoma
*Miriam Bornhorst, M.D., Children’s National Hospital, “Optical Genome Mapping reveals novel structural variants in pediatric brain tumors”
Anandani Nellan, M.D., NCI, “CCL2 mediated immunosuppression and CAR-T cell function in posterior fossa ependymoma”
*Lindy Zhang, M.D., Johns Hopkins, “Mechanisms of immune escape in NF1-associated peripheral nerve sheath tumors”
History of the Symposium:
- Holly Meany, M.D. offers a clinical overview about Neuroblastoma, before researchers present their specific research.
- Brian Rood, M.D. of Children’s National, and Sadhana Jackson, M.D. of the National Cancer Institute, discuss findings from Dr. Rood’s latest research.
- NCI Pediatric Branch Chair Brigitte Widemann, M.D. introduces Haneen Shalabi, D.O. also of NCI, and recipient of the 2017 CCF Giant Food Next Gen award.