Technique used to identify more aggressive prostate cancer

By Gila Reckess

School of Medicine researchers have shown that a technique used to measure tumor size allows surgeons to evaluate the chance for progression of prostate cancer after surgical removal of the prostate gland. The findings are published in the Sept. 15 issue of the journal Cancer.

Unlike breast cancers, prostate cancers often are difficult to locate and measure, even after the prostate gland has been removed. Because the tumor usually does not form a mass that is easily seen, its size can be difficult to ascertain.

Tumor size appears to be a sign of how aggressive the prostate cancer is. Determining tumor size can help physicians determine a patient's prognosis and the best course of treatment.

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Humphrey: New microscope method

Holloszy wins Olympic gold for work on exercise, sports

Professor of Medicine John O. Holloszy, M.D., returned from Australia last week with Olympic gold.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Medical Commission honored Holloszy with the 2000 IOC Olympic Prize on Sports Medicine as part of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

He received the award in recognition of his contributions to the science behind enhanced athletic performance and disease state management. The award included a $500,000 prize, endowed by Pfizer, which Holloszy plans to use to further his research.

Like the athletes themselves, Holloszy had global competition --he was selected from a list of candidates from four continents by an independent committee made up of some of the world's most accomplished physicians and scientists. The Olympic Prize on Sports Medicine is considered the highest honor in the field of movement, exercise and sport science. Holloszy is the fourth recipient of the award, which is presented every two years during the Olympic Games.

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Researchers identify two cell-death proteins, obtain new clue to cancer

By Gila Rekess

Researchers have identified two proteins that help immune cells commit suicide. Defects in one of these proteins have been linked to lymphomas.

The findings were published in the Oct. 5 issue of Nature. Natalie A. Lissy, a graduate student in pathology at the School of Medicine, is first author. Steven F. Dowdy, Ph.D., an assistant professor of pathology and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Assistant Investigator, directed the study.

Many cells are programmed to kill themselves after they complete their biological duties or become damaged. Those that fail to obey this command accumulate in the body. Because every cell has the potential to mutate into a cancerous cell, excess cells increase the probability of mutations. Mutations in immune cells called T cells are particularly dangerous instigators of cancer.

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Dowdy: Insight into lymphoma