State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr.
September 27, 2007
Senator Crisco and Health Dept. Announce Grant Recipients for Biomedical Research into Tobacco-related Illnesses
Senator Crisco announces the 2007 recipients of grants for biomedical research into tobacco-related illnesses at a press conference in Hartford. (September 27, 2007)
Governor M. Jodi Rell and Senator Joseph Crisco (D--Woodbridge) today announced the recipients of state funding for biomedical research projects into tobacco-related illnesses. A total of $1,718,860 was awarded this year by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) from the Biomedical Research Trust Fund. These funds will support six research projects.
"While we have made considerable progress in the area of tobacco use prevention, tobacco-related illnesses continue to be leading causes of disability and death," stated Governor Rell. "This research is helping to shine new light on how tobacco use contributes to chronic diseases, and move us forward in the effort to save lives of those stricken with cancer, heart disease, and other smoking-related diseases, which are leading causes of death in Connecticut."
"The third round of funding for $1.7 million to these six biomedical research projects is a positive indication that Connecticut is moving forward with a strong commitment to carrying out the goals of the biomedical research bill, and that is to use a portion of the tobacco settlement funding to provide funding for research efforts to help fight cancer, heart disease, and other diseases that may be linked to smoking," said Senator Crisco . "I want to express my gratitude to DPH Deputy Commissioner Gyle for her efforts, and Governor Rell, her budget director Robert Genuario, and legislative leaders for their support of this important health care program."
"This year six outstanding proposals were selected from a field of fifteen highly competitive applications the department received in response to its request for proposals," stated DPH Deputy Commissioner Norma Gyle, R.N., Ph.D. "We are very pleased with the quality of proposals and the important work that is being done to help fight tobacco-related illness."
According to state health officials, tobacco is the single most preventable cause of mortality and morbidity in our society. In Connecticut, tobacco use is associated with over 5,000 deaths per year. These deaths are primarily caused by cancer, heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Tobacco also causes secondary adverse health effects to nonsmokers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is a significant cause of morbidity in children that manifests itself in diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia. Furthermore, tobacco use has significant medical costs. In 2001, estimated annual health care expenditures in Connecticut directly related to tobacco use totaled $1.2 billion or about $400 per capita.
With this third round of proposals funded by DPH, nearly $4 million has been awarded to Connecticut research institutions for the purposes of biomedical research into tobacco-related illnesses. In 2005, awards were given to Yale University and UCONN Health Center pursuant to Sec. 19a-32c: "Biomedical Research Trust Fund. Transfers from Tobacco Settlement Fund. Grants-in-aid." In 2006, approximately $1.7 million were awarded to five Connecticut- based researchers. Applications were accepted from Connecticut-based, non-profit, tax- exempt academic institutions and hospitals that conduct biomedical research.
Connecticut Department of Public Health Biomedical Trust Fund Awards 2007
- Jennifer Tirnauer, M.D. of the University of Connecticut Health Center was awarded $299,044 to study how colon cancer develops and to provide new therapeutic targets. Colon cancer is a devastating disease and a significant public health problem. The tumors grow slowly, which is useful in determining their cause. One of the earliest findings is mutation of the APC (Adenomatous Polyposis Coli) gene. This project asks how mutation of APC affects orientation of the mitotic spindle, the apparatus that separates the chromosomes in dividing cells. Defective spindle orientation could alter the architecture of the tissue, a hallmark of cancer.
- John Peluso, Ph.D., of the University of Connecticut Health Center was awarded $281,016 for research of a therapy that could improve the overall effectiveness of chemotherapy and reduce undesirable side effects. Chemotherapy is not 100% effective in part because ovarian cancers express Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component-1 (PGRMC1), a protein that promotes their survival. We have recently shown that blocking PGRMC1's action in ovarian cancer cells grown in culture enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy. We now propose to determine whether small interfering PGRMC1 RNA therapy, which prevents PGRMC1 synthesis, will make human ovarian tumors grown in mice more sensitive to chemotherapy. If so, this could provide the basis for an adjunct therapy to treat patients with advanced ovarian cancers.
- Quing Zhu, Ph.D., and Molly Brewer, M.D., from the University of Connecticut were awarded $315,563 for their study of ovarian cancer, which has the highest mortality of all the gynecologic cancers. The overall survival of the disease is poor due to the late stage of diagnosis. Their project addresses a novel hybrid endoscope-based device, which integrates high-resolution optical imaging and high-contrast radioactive tracer detection. The developed probe will be used intra-operatively at the time of prophylactic oophorectomy or surgery for suspected ovarian cancer and fitted for use in a laparoscopy port. The long term goal of this project is to use this novel device for in vivo diagnosis and to guide surgical intervention of high-risk ovarian cancer patients. Key personnel include Dr. John Gamelin (ECE Dept, Storrs), Dr. Malinda Sanders (UCHC, Pathology Dept), Dr. Mozafareddin Karimeddini (nuclear medicine), Dr. Changping Zou (UCHC).
- David Gregorio, Ph.D., of the University of Connecticut Health Center was awarded $107,409 to study the accuracy and adequacy of tobacco use data in cancer research. The effectiveness of therapies to arrest the re-emergence, spread and/or effects of cancer may be compromised in patients with prior or current tobacco use/exposure. Although as many as one-quarter of patients enrolled in such studies may smoke, such information is not routinely collected by researchers. This project will review breast, prostate and colorectal cancer treatment studies regarding (a) the nature, quality and source of tobacco use/exposure data collected by investigators, (b) perceived barriers/constraints to collection and/or analysis of tobacco use/exposure data within their studies, and (c) readiness to incorporate tobacco use/exposure data among clinical trials underway in Connecticut.
- Yingqun Huang, M.D., Ph.D., of the Yale University School of Medicine was awarded $177,223 to study the development of a novel tumor-specific siRNA delivery system for cancer gene therapy. Dr. Huang proposed a novel strategy that involves coupling therapeutic small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to integrin-binding peptides. Integrins are cell surface receptors often over-expressed on endothelial cells of neovasculature and on cancer cells as well. After binding integrins the peptides are internalized, allowing their associated siRNAs to reach the cell interior to silence disease-causing genes. Her goal is to determine whether the proposed method can work in cell culture systems and whether it is suitable for cancer treatment in animal models. Results will promote the development of a novel technology for the delivery of therapeutic siRNAs to a variety of cancers.
- Lance Bauer, Ph.D. and Godfrey Pearlson, M.D. were awarded $538,605 for a project that investigates whether the effects of tobacco on brain structure and function are amplified by the presence of specific genotypes. Cigarette smoking is a significant risk factor for stroke and vascular dementia. The effects of these events are well documented within the scientific literature. However, substantially less is known about the neural effects of cigarette smoking before the occurrence of such an event. Indeed, structural and functional changes may appear years or decades earlier. The goal of a project directed by Dr. Lance Bauer, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Connecticut Health Center, and co-directed by Dr. Godfrey Pearlson, Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University, is to examine the effects of heavy smoking among neurologically-asymptomatic middle-aged individuals. The project will utilize state-of-the-art methods for quantifying both brain structure from MRIs and brain function from high density electroencephalographic recordings in 100 people who vary in smoking status and genetic risk for neural damage from smoking.
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