Research Enterprise Newsletter - April 2007: Faculty News
HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Unit funded through 2013
The Vanderbilt HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Unit will receive $1.5 million a year though 2013 from the NIAID to study potential HIV vaccines and new AIDS treatments. Richard D'Aquila, M.D., directs the Center and the Division of Infectious Diseases. Vanderbilt's Clinical Trials Unit includes the Vaccine Clinical Research Site, part of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network, and a Therapeutics Clinical Research Site, part of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group network. The Vaccine Clinical Research Site is currently led by Peter Wright, M.D., chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. On July 1, Wright will be succeeded by associate director Spyros Kalams, M.D. The Therapeutics Clinical Research Site, led by David Haas, M.D., has been a leading site in the testing and development of new AIDS treatments for the past six years.
VUMC expands research subject protection
In a major policy change, research subjects no longer will be responsible for the cost of treating illnesses or injuries caused by participation in clinical studies at VUMC. In the past, if the sponsor of the research wouldn't cover adverse events, Vanderbilt might seek reimbursement from the subject's insurance for the cost of the care. According to Gordon Bernard, M.D., assistant vice chancellor for Research and director of the IRB, Vanderbilt will no longer bill insurance for these costs, nor may the sponsor require Vanderbilt to do so. Vanderbilt made the change so subjects are not at financial risk and to simplify the informed consent process and the IRB clinical trials approval process. Vanderbilt is one of the few academic medical centers that have taken this step.
Edwards testing malaria vaccine
Kathryn Edwards, M.D., vice chair of Pediatric Research, and her team of investigators are testing a newly developed malaria vaccine referred to as Adenovirus Type 35 Based Circumsporozoite Malaria Vaccine. The vaccine was designed to induce a cell-mediated immunity, thereby preventing the parasite that causes malaria from entering and developing within the liver of those infected. At this phase of testing, Edwards and her team are studying the vaccine to see whether it can produce a response to one of malaria's major proteins. Edwards needs an additional 90 trial volunteers beyond those already recruited.
Dupont and colleagues to study molecular risk factors for breast cancer
Professor of Biostatistics William D. Dupont, Ph.D., and colleagues have received an NCI R01 titled "Epidemiology of Molecular Risk Factors for Breast Cancer," studying breast cancer risk factors in women who have undergone benign breast biopsies. Study investigators include Jeffrey Smith, M.D./Ph.D., David Page, M.D., Fritz Parl, M.D./Ph.D., Melinda Sanders, M.D., and Carlos Arteaga, M.D. Dr. Smith has achieved a critical breakthrough in accurately genotyping patients from archival paraffin-embedded tissue. Using his technology, the team plans to study the effects on breast cancer risk of interactions between different types of benign breast disease and genotypes associated with the estrogen, TGF beta, and ERBB gene families. The multidisciplinary project involves epidemiology, pathology, genetics, molecular biology, and biostatistics, with a recommended five-year award of $3.1 million.
Marnett distinguished lecturer at University of Arizona
Lawrence J. Marnett, Ph.D., professor of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Pharmacology, Mary Geddes Stahlman Professor of Cancer Research, and director of the Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, delivered the 2007 Distinguished Visiting Professor Lectures at the University of Arizona. Presented on March 8 and 9 in Tucson, Marnett's lectures addressed the structural and functional basis of cyclooxygenase inhibition and the aftermath of the Vioxx fiasco.
Kirschner publishes new neurology textbook
Howard Kirshner, M.D., Professor of Neurology, has had a new textbook, First Exposure to Neurology, published recently by McGraw-Hill. Dr. Kirshner has been the neurology clerkship director at Vanderbilt for 23 years and was recently awarded the "Master of Clinical Teaching Award." Dr. Kirshner also served on the American Academy of Neurology education committee that formulated the core competencies that neurology clerkships should include.
