UCSF HELEN DILLER FAMILY COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER

UCSF HELEN DILLER 

FAMILY COMPREHENSIVE 

CANCER CENTER 

American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 

April 16-20, 2016 

New Orleans, LA 

UCSF Presentation Brochure

Committed to Advancing 

Development of Improved 

Cancer Therapies, Imaging 

Modalities, and Biomarkers 

As president of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer 

Center, one of my key priorities is to initiate and advance programs 

that are developing new anticancer drugs making significant impact 

on helping cancer patients live longer and better lives. I recognize this 

goal is best accomplished by working in partnership with the broader 

life science industry. This searchable abstract book of UCSF research 

presented at AACR is a resource for potential partners interested in 

identifying world-class faculty engaged in basic science and clinical 

oncology research. 

As an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, UCSF is 

recognized for our outstanding science, extensive resources, depth 

and breadth of our research in basic, clinical, and/or population 

sciences, as well as cutting edge research that bridges these 

scientific areas. Practically this means that our clinicians and basic 

scientists work closely together to (1) identify, develop and optimize 

novel therapeutics for biological efficacy and clinical utility, (2) assess 

tumor status and responsiveness to current therapies, (3) develop 

biomarkers for patient stratification and therapeutic response and (4) 

advance supportive care options to mitigate the toxicities associated 

with chemotherapy. 

Alan Ashworth, PhD, FRS 

President, UCSF Helen Diller 

Family Comprehensive 

Cancer Center 

Senior Vice President 

for Cancer Services, 

UCSF Health 

UCSF is home to many of world’s finest oncology scientists and 

clinicians. I invite you learn more about our work and expertise by 

reaching out to our faculty. If you have any additional questions or 

need any assistance with your outreach, please contact the Director 

of Strategic Alliances for the Cancer Center: Cammie Edwards 

( ). 

Wishing you a very productive meeting and we look forward to 

future discussions and collaborations. 

Professor of Medicine, 

Division of Hematology/ 

Oncology, Department 

of Medicine 

Alan Ashworth, PhD, FRS 

President, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center 

2

HDFCCC Overview 

A Designated NCI Comprehensive 

Cancer Center Since 1999 

The “comprehensive” designation—NCI’s highest ranking, awarded only 

after a rigorous evaluation process—recognizes UCSF’s excellence in basic 

research, clinical research, population based research, outreach and education, 

and our ability to integrate these diverse research approaches to cancer and 

turn them into clinical practice. 

Our Success is Driven by Our Faculty 

HDFCCC Membership: 397 Members & Associate Members 

2 Nobel Laureates 

3 Albert Lasker Award winners 

8 Howard Hughes Medical Investigators 

13 Members of the National Academy of Sciences 

20 Members of the Institute of Medicine 

18 Fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 

4 Fellows of the Royal Society 

3


Working Together Advancing the 

Understanding and Treatment of Cancer 

Multi-Disciplinary Research Programs 

• Breast Oncology 

• Cancer Control 

• Cancer Genetics 

• Cancer, Immunity, and Microenvironment 

• Developmental Therapeutics 

• Hematopoietic Malignancies 

• Neurologic Oncology 

• Pediatric Malignancies 

• Prostate Cancer 

• Tobacco Control 

Multi-Disciplinary Clinical Programs 

• GU Oncology (non Prostate) 

• GI (includes Pancreas Cancer) 

• Thoracic Oncology 

• Cutaneous Oncology 

• Head and Neck Cancer 

• Sarcoma 

• Endocrine 

• Gynecologic Oncology 

• Breast Oncology 

• Prostate Cancer 

Key Initiatives 

• Cancer Imaging 

• Cancer Immunotherapeutics 

• Global Oncology 

• Center for BRCA Research 

• UCSF 500 

• Target Validation Initiative 

Translating Laboratory Discoveries into Improved Patient Care 

Whether it is advancing a new vaccine based immunotherapy, developing a new diagnostic 

test to distinguish benign moles from malignant melanoma or pioneering new adaptive clinical 

trial designs, UCSF success in translating laboratory discoveries into improved patient care 

comes from its faculty and culture of exploration and collaboration. With over 400 faculty 

relentlessly pursuing oncology research and clinical practice, we continue to make significant 

strides in understanding the biology of disease and improving patient outcomes with 

advanced clinical care.


Core Capabilities 

Supporting Our Programs 

• Biostatistics 

• Clinical Research Support 

• Genome Analysis 

• Laboratory for Cell Analysis 

• Immunohistochemistry & Molecular Pathology 

• Mouse Pathology 

• Preclinical Therapeutic Testing 

• Bio-specimen Banking 

• Tobacco Biomarkers 

• Bioinformatics 

• Computational Biology 

Approximately one-quarter of the 

University’s ~2,200 full-time faculty 

members work in cancer research or 

cancer care. 

UCSF consistently ranks among 

the top U.S. biomedical research 

organizations in cancer-specific 

federal funding. In 2015, UCSF 

received more than $85M from the 

National Cancer Institute. 

5

Partnering with 

UCSF HDFCCC 

UCSF faculty have a long history of working with industry 

partners translating discoveries into products that ultimately 

improve patient care. We are experienced in establishing and 

executing on a wide range of successful partnerships. If you are 

interested in learning more about working with the HDFCCC 

and its faculty, please contact: 

Cammie Edwards, PhD 

Director of Strategic Alliances, HDFCCC 

• On average, UCSF has 200-300 new invention disclosures per year 

• An estimated 90 life science start-up companies have been spawned 

from the University’s labs, including Genentech, Chiron, and Intellikine 

• Included among UCSF patents are top revenue producers, such as 

- Hepatitis B vaccine 

- Bovine growth hormone 

- Barrier repair lipids 

- Yeast expression vector 

- Magnetic resonance imaging 

UCSF IN THE NEWS (Click on title to read story) 

AACR Elects UCSF’s Alan Ashworth and Jennifer Grandis to Board of Directors, Nominating Committee 

http://cancer.ucsf.edu/news/2016/04/11/american-association-for-cancer-research-elects-ucsf-faculty-to-board-of-directors-nominating-committee.7420 

VP Biden Discusses Cancer Moonshot with UCSF Experts 

http://cancer.ucsf.edu/news/2016/03/02/vp-biden-discusses-cancer-moonshot-with-ucsf-experts.7355 

BRCA Clinics Expand Further Beyond Breast Cancer: 

New thinking on pancreatic, prostate cancer treatment; centers consolidate patient care under one roof 

http://cancer.ucsf.edu/news/2016/02/22/brca-clinics-expand-further-beyond-breast-cancer.7315 

UCSF Establishes Quantitative Biosciences Institute: 

New Research Unit will Identify Opportunities for Disease Treatments Using Computation, 

Mathematics and Statistics 

http://cancer.ucsf.edu/news/2016/03/17/ucsf-establishes-quantitative-biosciences-institute.7376 

UCSF Research Suggests New Model for Cancer Metastasis: 

Imaging Catches Cancer Cells in the Act As They Recruit Immune Cells to Spread Disease 

http://cancer.ucsf.edu/news/2016/03/17/ucsf-research-suggests-new-model-for-cancer-metastasis.7374 

Melanoma’s Genetic Trajectories Are Charted in New Study: 

Study Confirms ‘Intermediate’ Disease Stage Between Benign Moles and Malignancy 

http://cancer.ucsf.edu/news/2015/11/12/melanomas-genetic-trajectories-are-charted-in-new-study.6907

Presentations 

Presentations 

View full abstracts on line at: 

http://www.abstractsonline.com/plan/start.aspx?mkey=%7b1D10D749-4B6A-4AB3-BCD4-F80FB1922267%7d 

*UCSF authors in bold 

E-cigarettes: Expanding the Nicotine Epidemic 

Authors*: Lauren Dutra 

Pres #: Section: Presentation Date/Time: Sunday, April 17: 3:00-4:30PM 

Location: Room 283 

Presentation Type: Science Policy Session 

Lauren Dutra Expertise: Lauren Dutra’s research interests include disparities in smoking and smokingrelated 

disease, the targeted marketing of vulnerable populations by tobacco companies, and new tobacco 

products, such as e-cigarettes. She has a Doctor of Science from the Harvard School of Public Health and 

is a Social Epidemiologist by training. Her dissertation focused on experiences of injustice and smoking 

behavior in South Africa and the US. 

Prior to obtaining her doctorate, she received a Masters in Mental Health and Behavioral Medicine from 

Boston University and worked as a psychotherapist/health behavior counselor. Lauren has first-author 

publications in Social Science & Medicine, JAMA Pediatrics, and Tobacco Control, as well as publications in 

Preventive Medicine, Diabetes Care, and the Journal of Cognitive Psychology. 

http://profiles.ucsf.edu/lauren.dutra 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

MEK and PI3K signaling cooperate through mTORC1/2 to 

promote PIK3CA mutant melanoma cell proliferation 

Authors*: Jillian M. Silva, Marian M. Deuker, Bruce C. Baguley, Martin McMahon 

Pres #: 29 Section: 1 Presentation Date/Time: Sunday, April 17: 1:00-5:00PM 

Location: 

Presentation Type: Poster Session 

Silva Lab Expertise: The overarching goal of the Silva lab research is to understand the underlying molecular 

and biochemical mechanisms of cooperation between key signaling networks, such as MAPK and PI3K, that 

are essential for carcinoma maintenance and to identify potential molecular targets that could contribute 

to the development of pathway-targeted therapy for cancer patients. We use cutting-edge screening 

technologies, such as a lentiCRISPR-Cas9 knockout library and ribosome profiling, along with genetic/ 

pharmacological inhibitory strategies and xenograft tumor models to dissect out the these key kinase 

mechanisms and the consequences of their inhibition. Melonoma is our primary model system, but we apply 

our discoveries to other types of cancer that share similar molecular and biochemical landscapes. 

http://profiles.ucsf.edu/jillian.silva 


7

Presentations 

Identification of new therapeutic targets and molecular predictors 

of response in oesophageal cancer 

Authors*: Irene Chong, lauren Aronson, David Cunningham, James Campbell, Colm Ryan, Michael Davidson, 

Ian Chau, Alan Ashworth, Christopher J. Lord 


Location: 


__________________________________________________________________________ 

Functional effects of MutL homolog 1 promoter polymorphisms 

in prostate cancer 

Authors*: Shinichiro Fukuhara, Yozo Mitsui, Yutaka Hashimoto, Taku Kato, Ryan K. Wong, 

Varahram Shahryari, Soichiro Yamamura, Shahana Majid, Sharanjot Saini, Guoren Deng, Rajvir Dahiya, 

Yuichiro Tanaka 


Location: 


Tanaka Lab Expertise: The Tanaka lab’s research focuses on genetic risk factors for urological cancers, their 

effects within the cell, as well as the functional role of various genes at the cellular and molecular levels. They 

have shown that variable expression between isoforms of estrogen, progesterone and androgen receptors 

in prostatic carcinogenesis and that inactivation is due to CpG methylation. They have identified genetic 

polymorphisms shown to be risk factors for prostate & kidney cancers and have examined genetic alterations 

in the estrogen-related pathway. They have also found a race-specific polymorphism in the coding region of 

the MLH1 DNA repair gene that confers protection from prostate cancer among a Japanese population. 

https://www.ncire.org/research/researchers_by_name/Yuichiro-Tanaka-PhD/ 


8

Presentations 

Whole exome and targeted deep sequencing identify 

genome-wide allelic loss and frequent SETDB1 mutations 

in malignant pleural mesotheliomas 

Authors*: Hio Chung Kang, Hong Kwan Kim, Sharon Lee, Pedro Mendez, James Kim, Gavitt Woodard, 

Kuang-Yu Jen, Li Tai Fang, Kirk Jones, David Jablons, Il Jin Kim 


Location: 


Kim Lab Expertise: Dr. Il-Jin Kim has focused his career on three important cancer-related areas: 1) cancer 

genetics and genomics, 2) early detection and 3) cancer prevention. Dr. Kim has published approximately 70 

papers in these areas. He has also been granted three patents for mutation detection methods. Projects in 

these areas include: genetic screening in hereditary (familial) cancers to distinguishing carriers from noncarriers, 

development of new genetic screening methods for cancer prevention, and genome-wide gene 

expression microarray analysis. 

Current projects in the Kim Lab include: Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Early Detection, Cancer Prevention. 

http://kimlab.surgery.ucsf.edu/about-us.aspx 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Investigating microtubule growth dynamics in patient-derived 

metastatic prostate cancer cells 

Authors*: Alexandre Matov, Johan de Rooij, Jay Gatlin, Julia Rohrberg, Nikta Ahmad, Rahul Aggarwal, 

Jeff Simko, Andrei Goga, Charles Ryan, Torsten Wittmann 


Location: 


Wittman Lab Expertise: The Wittmann lab aims to elucidate molecular mechanisms by which polarity of 

intracellular cell biological processes – such as cytoskeleton dynamics or vesicular transport – controls 

complex behavior and function of mammalian cells. We are specifically interested in the function & dynamics 

of the microtubule cytoskeleton & a diverse group of +TIP proteins that associate with growing microtubule 

ends. In addition to molecular biology & biochemistry, we use advanced quantitative fluorescence microscopy. 

We are also interested in how deregulation of intracellular microtubule dynamics contributes to cancer 

pathology and resistance to microtubule targeting agents, and if this can be used to predict drug response. 

Finally, we also develop novel ‘opto-cell biology’ to interfere with intracellular protein function at high spatial 

& temporal resolution by using plant-derived light-sensitive protein domains. 

http://wittmann.ucsf.edu/ 


9

Presentations 

Cotargeting EGFR, STAT3 and Src-Notch pathways: a promising 

approach to improve the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs in the treatment 

of NSCLC patients 

Authors*: Niki Karachaliou, Imane Chaib, Sara Piloeo, Jordi Codony, Xueting Cai, Xuefei Li, Ana Drozdowskyj, 

Carles Codony, Andrés Felipe Cardona, Guillermo López-Vivanco, Alain Vergnenègre, José Miguel Sánchez, 

Mariano Provencio, Filippo de Marinis, Enric Carcereny, Noemí Reguart, Rosario García-Campelo, Silvia Marin, 

Cristina Teixidó, Isabella Sperduti, Sonia Rodríguez, Roger Estrada, Raimon Puig de la Bellacasa, 

José Luis Ramírez, Miguel Angel Molina-Vila, Caicun Zhou, Peng Cao, Patrick Ma, Trever Bivona, Rafael Rosell. 


Location: 


Bivona Lab Expertise: Our team uses the tools of precision medicine to improve the molecular diagnosis and 

targeted therapy of patients with solid cancers, including lung cancer. Our program focuses on identifying 

and functionally characterizing the molecular drivers of tumor growth in individual patients. We study patient 

samples and clinical data to identify novel potential drivers of tumor initiation, progression, and therapy 

resistance. We functionally annotate the putative molecular drivers using an integrated approach of genetic 

and pharmacologic tools. This precision approach to understanding the molecular pathogenesis of lung 

cancer (and other cancers) has led to the discovery of new biomarkers and targets that provide rationale for 

novel clinical trials we are launching to improve patient survival. 

http://www.bivonalab.net/ 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

EGFR inhibition generates drug tolerant persister cells by blocking 

AKT activity and thus inactivating Ets-1 function 

Authors*: Janyaporn Phuchareon, David W. Eisele, Frank McCormick, Osamu Tetsu 


Location: 


Tetsu Lab Expertise: The Tetsu Laboratory is interested in the mechanisms underlying initiation and 

progression of various malignancies originated from endoderm; lung, colon and pancreatic cancers. 

They have exploited the cell signaling pathways that make the cancers different from normal tissues. 

More recently, their research interests have focus on drug resistance to EGFR and Ras inhibitors. In order 

to establish truly effective treatments, they have proposed a multi-drug combination therapy targeting 

the origin of acquired resistant cells, as reduction of this subset may prevent emergent resistance to the 

kinase inhibitors. In this era of precision medicine, they intend to design the most relevant combination 

to overcome the patient-specific drug resistance. 


10

Presentations 

SRC mediates intrinsic resistance to BRAF(V600E) inhibition 

in colon cancer 

Authors*: Jean-Philippe F. Coppé, Changjun Wang, Diede Brunen, Anirudh Prahallad, Ana Ruiz-Saenz, 

Danislav Spassov, Bo Pan, Aleksandra Olow, Denise Wolf, Christina Yau, Christian Posch, Evelyn Lee, 

Miki Mori, Katherina Chua, Julia Malato, Donghui Hwang, Paul Phojanakong, Zhongzhong Chen, 

Byron Hann, Lamorna Brown-Swigart, Mark Moasser, René Bernards, Laura van ‘t Veer 


Location: 


van ‘t Veer Lab Expertise: Dr. van ’t Veer’s research focuses on personalized medicine & advancing patient 

management based on knowledge of the genetic makeup of the tumor as well as the genetic makeup of the 

patient. Her laboratory investigates human kinases & how kinase inhibitors elicit response & resistance, which 

is also utilized to understand agent efficacy in the I-SPY 2 TRIAL. She is the PI of the Athena Breast Health 

Network, a 150,000 women cohort study evaluating new paradigms to enhance breast health. She leads the 

targeted genome testing of 100,000 women for 9 breast cancer susceptibility genes and a selection of ~100 

known susceptibility SNPs. She is one of the PIs for the NIH Big Data to Knowledge Center Translational 

Genomics, facilitating worldwide standardization of sharing annotated genomics data. 

http://cancer.ucsf.edu/people/profiles/vantveer_laura.3358 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Pathway-directed high throughput drug screen identifies PI3K 

inhibitors that synergistically potentiate anti-tumor activity of 

HDAC inhibitors in mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome 

Authors*: Chen-Yen Yang, Razan Faraj, Taha Rakhshandaroo, Shervin Afghani, Laura Pincus, 

Sourav Bandyopadhyay, Frank McCormick, Weiyun Ai 


Location: 



11

Presentations 

NTF2 regulates nuclear size in mammalian cells and may contribute 

to altered nuclear size in melanoma 

Authors*: Lidija D. Vukovic, Bradley A. Stohr, Dan L. Levy 


Location: 


Stohr Lab Expertise: The research in my laboratory focuses on the telomere biology of human cancers. 

Telomeres are nucleoprotein structures that protect the ends of linear chromosomes. Telomeres shorten with 

each cell division, ultimately resulting in deprotection of the chromosome ends. Telomeric deprotection serves 

a tumor-suppressive function by initiating senescence and/or apoptosis in inappropriately dividing cells. 

However, deprotected telomeres frequently fuse together, resulting in genome instability that can promote 

tumorigenesis. The cellular context determines whether it is the tumor-suppressive or tumor-promoting role 

of the dysfunctional telomere that predominates. The long-term goal of my laboratory is to understand how 

different types of telomere dysfunction provoke these diverse cellular responses. This knowledge will provide 

insight into the origins and progression of human cancers and suggest novel strategies for telomere-based 

therapeutic approaches. 

http://labmed.ucsf.edu/about/faculty/pathology-bstohr.html 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Novel and shared neoantigen for glioma T-cell therapy derived from 

histone 3 variant H3.3 K27M mutation 

Authors*: Hideho Okada, Gary Kohanbash, Kaori Okada, Shuming Liu, Yi Lin, Sabine Mueller, 

Ian F. Pollack, Angel M. Carcaboso, Yafei Hou 


Location: 


Okada Lab Expertise: As a translational physician scientist, Dr. Okada and his lab are focused on development 

of novel immunotherapeutic strategies for brain tumor patients. For example, Dr. Okada conducted one of 

the first immune gene therapy trials in patients with malignant glioma. His lab was also the first to identify 

and fully characterized cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitopes for gliomas. Dr. Okada has also delineated the role 

of an integrin receptor very late activation antigen-4 and chemokine CXCL10 in efficient trafficking of T-cells 

to brain tumor sites. Dr. Okada has integrated these findings to develop a number of vaccine trials in both 

adult and pediatric glioma patients. More recently, his group developed a novel chimeric antigen receptor 

targeting glioblastoma cells, and are currently conducting a pilot trial. 

http://neurosurgery.ucsf.edu/index.php/about_us_faculty_okada.html 


12

Presentations 

Deregulated Myc is an immunosuppressive switch 

Authors*: Roderik M. Kortlever, Nicole M. Sodir, Catherine H. Wilson, Deborah L. Burkhart, Lamorna Swigart, 

Trevor D. Lielewood, Gerard I. Evan 


Location: 


__________________________________________________________________________ 

Establishment and characterization of a panel of cell-based and 

patient-derived chordoma tumor models 

Authors*: Michael J. Wick, Melissa Rundle, Lizeee Gamez, Armando Diaz, Josh Sommer, Patricia Cogswell, 

Byron Hann, Joanna Phillips, Kyriakos P. Papadopoulos 


Location: 


Phillips Lab Expertise: Our laboratory is focused on understanding how invading brain tumor cells interact 

with the components of the tumor microenvironment, and how these key interactions influence glioma 

initiation, progression, and invasion. We use both in vivo and ex vivo model systems to study the interaction 

between tumor cells and the microenvironment including microglia, macrophages, reactive astrocytes, and 

the extracellular matrix. These studies will hopefully lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets. 

In addition, using primary human brain tumors we are investigating potential diagnostic and prognostic 

brain tumor biomarkers. 

https://bms.ucsf.edu/directory/faculty/joanna-j-phillips-md-phd 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Nanoliposomal targeting of Ephrin receptor A2 (EphA2): 

Clinical translation 

Authors*: Walid S. Kamoun, Shinji Oyama, Tad Kornaga, Theresa Feng, Lia Luus, Minh T. Pham, 

Dmitri B. Kirpotin, James D. Marks, Melissa Geddie, Lihui Xu, Alexey A. Lugovskoy, Monica Murphy, 

Carl Morrisson, Daryl C. Drummond 


Location: 



13

Presentations 

Interaction between meat and fish intake and genes involved 

in hormones, inflammation and energetic factors, and risk of 

breast cancer among Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White women: 

The Breast Cancer Health Disparities Study 

Authors*: Andre E. Kim, Juan Pablo Lewinger, Shirong Zhang, Roger K. Wolff, Laura Fejerman, Esther M. John, 

Gabriela Torres-Mejia, Jennifer S. Herrick, Stephanie D. Boone, Avonne E. Connor, Lisa M. Hines, 

Kathy B. Baumgartner, Anna Giuliano, Martha L. Slaeery, Mariana C. Stern 


Location: 


Fejerman Lab Expertise: Dr. Fejerman focuses on the discovery of genetic and non-genetic factors that 

contribute to breast cancer risk and prognosis in Latinas. Her past work established a relationship between 

genetic ancestry and breast cancer risk, where higher European ancestry in U.S. and Mexican Latinas was 

associated with an increased risk. Her subsequent research has built upon this observation, exploring genetic 

variants, through admixture mapping and genome-wide association approaches, as well as the possible 

environmental and lifestyle related factors, and ancestry-gene interactions. Recent work explores disparities in 

breast cancer prognosis by genetic ancestry in Latinas and its potential causes. 

http://fejerman.ucsf.edu 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Combining sensitivity markers to identify triple-negative 

breast cancer patients most responsive to veliparib/carboplatin: 

results from the I-SPY 2 TRIAL 

Authors*: Denise M. Wolf, Christina Yau, Ashish Sanil, Larmorna Brown-Swigart, Gillian 

Hirst, Meredith Buxton, Melissa Paolini, Olufunmilayo Olopade, Hope Rugo, Angela De Michele, 

Fraser Symmans, Don Berry, Laura Esserman, Laura van ‘t Veer 

Pres #: 858 Section: Presentation Date/Time: Sunday, April 17: 5:35-5:50PM 


Presentation Type: Minisymposium 











14

Presentations 

BRM loss promotes tumor progression through extracellular matrix 

remodeling and elevated mammary epithelial stem/progenitor activity 

Authors*: Jason J. Northey, Laura Damiano, Valerie M. Weaver 

Pres #: 911 Section: Presentation Date/Time: Sunday, April 17: 4:50-5:05PM 



Weaver Lab Expertise: The extracellular matrix (ECM), the noncellular component of the microenvironment, 

influences cell growth, survival, migration and tissue-specific differentiation through a repertoire of cellular 

receptors including integrins, syndecans and discoidin receptors. We are exploring the molecular mechanisms 

whereby these ECM receptors modulate cell fate: specifically, how mechanical and topological properties of 

the matrix, which are related to its composition and organization, regulate the function of matrix receptors 

to alter cell behavior. Our research program is broadly divided into two fields of inquiry: (1) how matrix 

composition and organization influences mammary tissue development and tumor progression and (2) to 

clarify the role of matrix force on embryonic and adult stem cell fate. 

http://weaverlab.ucsf.edu 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Anticancer effects of silibinin-induced small nucleolar RNA 11B 

on bladder cancer cells 

Authors*: Soichiro Yamamura, Yozo Mitsui, Shahana Majid, Hannah Nip, Nathan Bucay, Sharanjot Saini, 

Guoren Deng, Varahram Shahryary, Rajvir Dahiya, Yuichiro Tanaka 

Pres #: 956 Section: 2 Presentation Date/Time: Monday, April 18: 8:00AM-12:00PM 

Location: 











15

Presentations 

Tumor suppressive role of a novel microRNA at frequently 

deleted chromosomal locus 8p21 in prostate cancer 

Authors*: Nathan Bucay, Kiran Sekhon, Shahana Majid, Varahram Shahryari, Soichiro Yamamura, 

Z. Laura Tabatabai, Kirsten Greene, Yuichiro Tanaka, Rajvir Dahiya, Guoren Deng, Sharanjot Saini 


Location: 


Saini Lab Expertise: The Saini lab focuses primarily on understanding the molecular basis of progression 

and metastasis of prostate cancer, in particular the role of microRNA (miRNA) genes located at frequently 

deleted genomic regions in prostate cancer epithelial-to mesenchymal transition (EMT), recurrence and 

metastasis. A role for miRNAs that affects EMT and progression and metastasis of human cancers has 

begun to emerge and Dr. Saini’s research provided initial evidence that miR-203 regulates EMT by directly 

targeting ZEB2 and other EMT regulators that in turn regulate PCa invasion and metastasis. Her recent 

research has identified additional novel miRNAs in prostate cancer that play an important role in prostate 

cancer EMT, recurrence and metastasis. 

https://www.ncire.org/research/researchers_by_name/Sharanjot-Saini-PhD/ 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Inhibitory effect of CYP1B1 on antitumor activities induced 

by dysregulated CDC20 and DAPK1 in renal cell carcinoma 

Authors*: Yozo Mitsui, Inik Chang, Shinichiro Fukuhar, Hiroshi Hirata, Ryan Kenji Wong, Soichiro Yamamura, 

Varahram Shahryari, Guoren Deng, Saini Sharanjot, Shahana Majid, Hiroaki Shiina, Rajvir Dahiya, 

Yuichiro Tanaka 


Location: 











16

Presentations 

HER3 is a functional molecular target in HPV-associated 

head and neck cancer 

Authors*: Toni Michel Brand, Stefan Hartmann, Neil Bhola, Noah D. Peyser, Hua Li, Yan Zeng, 

Max V. Randall, Sourav Bandyopadhyay, Jennifer R. Grandis 


Location: 


Grandis Lab Expertise: We harness the power of genetic analyses to elucidate the genetic and epigenetic 

underpinnings of HNSCC with the goal of developing predictive biomarkers for molecular therapies. (HPV)16 

plays an etiologic role in a growing subset of HNSCCs, where viral expression of the E6 and E7 oncoproteins 

are necessary for tumor growth and maintenance. We identified differential receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) 

signaling in HPV(+) vs. HPV(-) tumors. One such RTK, HER3, is overexpressed and highly associated with 

phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in HPV(+) tumors. Further investigation indicated that HPV(+) HNSCC cells 

were reliant on HER3 for cellular proliferation and PI3K pathway signaling, whereas little effect was observed 

in HPV(-) cell lines. These studies identify HER3 as a potential therapeutic target, and provide a rationale for 

the clinical evaluation of combined HER3 and PI3K inhibition in HPV(+) HNSCCs. 

http://ohns.ucsf.edu/jennifer-grandis 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

RRx-001 is effective in temozolomide-sensitive and resistant GBM 

Authors*: Veronica Steri, Bryan Oronsky, Jan Scicinski, Gabriele Bergers 


Location: 


Bergers Lab Expertise: The Bergers laboratory focuses on revealing the dialogue between the tumor cell 

compartment and the vascular niche, of which the vasculature is an integral component. The vascular 

niche consists of distinct cell types and specialized matrices that provide signals controlling stem cell 

proliferation, fate specification, and protection in not only normal tissue, but tumors, as well. The long-term 

goal of Dr. Bergers’ research is to conduct a comprehensive investigation that defines the heterotypical 

signals of the tumor-host dialogue in the vascular niche in regulating neovascularization, stem cell 

maintenance, and tumor invasion during tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. 

http://neurosurgery.ucsf.edu/index.php/research_BTRC_bergers.html 


17

Presentations 

P32-targeting TT1 peptide delivers nanoparticles to 

intracranial glioblastomas 

Authors*: Pille Säälik, Hedi Hunt, Allan Tobi, Anne-Mari Anton Willmore, Kadri Toome, Shweta Sharma, 

Ramana Kotamraju, Gabriele Bergers, Rolf Bjerkvig, Erkki Ruoslahti, Tambet Teesalu, Tambet Teesalu 


Location: 










__________________________________________________________________________ 

Identification of the functional significance of mutations using the 

novel precision cancer analysis system 

Authors*: Gabi Tarcic, Nir Peled, Zohar Barbash, Naama Barabash-Katzir, Shlomo Yaakobi, 

Naama Barabash-Katzir, Hani Nevo, Michael Vidne, Mariusz Adamek, Mordechai R. Kramer, 

Nikolai Goncharenko, Yakov Fellig, Karen Meir, Keith Mostov, Yoram Altschuler 


Location: 


Mostov Lab Expertise: The Mostov laboratory studies epithelial morphogenesis and polarity in several 

organs including the liver. One of our interests is the mechanism by which cholangiocytes differentiate from 

hepatoblasts and progress to form ductal plates and eventually branching tubular networks. We recently 

developed a culture system in which a liver progenitor cell line, HPPL, reorganizes from a monolayer to tubular 

structures by being overlaid with a gel containing type I collagen and Matrigel. HPPL assumed a double layer 

configuration in the specialized culture environment and then developed a luminal space. Formation of the 

double layer does not involve cholangiocyte proliferation, but is associated with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase 

and Akt activity, as well as transcriptional activity of HNF1. 

http://mostovlab.ucsf.edu/Mostov_Lab_Website/Welcome.html 


18

Presentations 

MicroRNA-466 regulates bone metastasis by targeting 

RUNX2 in prostate cancer 

Authors*: Shahana Majid, Hanna Nip, Altaf A. Dar, Sharanjot Saini, Varahram Shahryari, 

Soichiro Yamamura, Yozo Mitsui, Nathan Bucay, Guoren Deng, Rajvir Dahiya, Yuichiro Tanaka 


Location: 










__________________________________________________________________________ 

Body size and incidence of TMPRSS2:ERG fusion-positive and 

fusion-negative prostate cancer 

Authors*: Thomas Ahearn, Rebecca E. Graff, Andreas Peeersson, Claire Pernar, Sarah C. Markt, 

Kathryn M. Wilson, Michelangelo Fiorentino, Massimo Loda, Edward L. Giovannucci, Lorelei A. Mucci 


Location: 


Witte Lab Expertise: Our research program encompasses a synthesis of methodological and applied genetic 

epidemiology, with the overall aim of deciphering the mechanisms underlying complex diseases and traits 

(Witte, Visscher & Wray, Nature Reviews Genetics 2014). Our methods work is focused on the design and 

statistical analysis of next-generation sequencing and genetic association studies. We are applying these 

methods to studies of cancer (e.g., of the prostate), birth defects, and pharmacogenomics. 

http://wittelab.ucsf.edu/pages/research 


19

Presentations 

Primary analysis of the EORTC 10041/ BIG 3-04 MINDACT study: 

A prospective, randomized study evaluating the clinical utility 

of the 70-gene signature (MammaPrint) combined with common 

clinical pathological criteria for selection of patients for adjuvant 

chemotherapy in breast cancer with 0 to 3 positive nodes 

Authors*: Martine Piccart, Emiel Rutgers, Laura van’ t Veer, Leen Slaets, Suzette Delaloge, Giuseppe Viale, 

Jean Yves Pierga, Peter Vuylsteke, Etienne Brain, Suzan Vrijaldenhoven, P. Neijenhuis, Bruno Coudert, 

Tineke Smilde, Miguel Gil, Alastair Thompson, Isabel Rubio, Rodolfo Passalaqua, Erika Matos, Urlike Nitz, 

Mauro Delorenzi, Geraldine Thomas, Theodora Goulioti, Carolyn Straehle, Konstantinos Tryfonidis, 

Jan Bogaerts, Fatima Cardoso 

Pres #: CT039 Section: Presentation Date/Time: Monday, April 18: 10:30-10:50AM 

Location: La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom 

Presentation Type: Clinical Trials Plenary Session 









http://cancer.ucsf.edu/people/profiles/vantveer_ 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Targeting KRAS stemness 

Authors*: Frank McCormick 

Pres #: Section: Presentation Date/Time: Monday, April 18: 10:40-11:05AM 

Location: New Orleans Theater A 

Presentation Type: Major Symposium 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Translating genomic discoveries into therapy for 

acute lymphoblastic leukemia 

Authors*: Mignon L. Loh 

Pres #: Section: Presentation Date/Time: Monday, April 18: 11:30-11:55AM 


Presentation Type: Recent Advances in Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research 


20

Presentations 

Systematic search for synthetic lethal susceptibilities with 

CRISPRi and CRIPSRa 

Authors*: Jonathan Weissman 

Pres #: Section: Presentation Date/Time: Monday, April 18: 11:40AM-12:05PM 

Location: New Orleans Theater B 


__________________________________________________________________________ 

Direct drug targeting of K-Ras 

Authors*: Kevan M. Shokat 

Abstract #: Section: Presentation Date/Time: Monday, April 18: 11:40 AM-12:05 PM 

Location: New Orleans Theater A 


Shokat Lab Expertise: My lab focuses on discovery of new chemical tools to decipher cellular signaling 

networks, particularly protein kinases and GTPases. Analysis of signal transduction pathways is challenging 

using traditional tools. Biochemical approaches have limited utility since signaling networks span from the cell 

surface to the nucleus, confounding reconstitution efforts. Genetic approaches allow specific perturbations, 

yet can be confounded by the emergent properties of signaling cascades. Chemical and pharmacological 

approaches enable rapid, reversible & graded inactivation of single components, but highly selective chemical 

probes are difficult to develop. My lab has solved this problem for protein kinases with a strategy based on a 

combination of protein engineering and organic synthesis. 

http://shokatlab.ucsf.edu/ 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Translation makes an impact: Tailor-made protein expression for 

metabolism, cancer, and disease 

Authors*: Davide Ruggero 

Abstract #: Section: Presentation Date/Time: Tuesday, April 19: 11:40 AM-12:05 PM 



__________________________________________________________________________ 

Oncogenic EGFR signaling inhibits the Spred1-NF1 interaction to 

sustain constitutive Ras signaling 

Authors*: Evan Markegard, Ellen L. Mercado, Jacqueline Galeas, Marena I. Trinidad, Anatoly Urisman, 

Frank McCormick 

Abstract #: 1874 Section: 4 Presentation Date/Time: Monday, April 19: 1:00-5:00 PM 

Location: 



21

Presentations 

MicroRNA-383 located in frequently deleted chromosomal locus 

8p22 regulates prostate cancer stem cell marker CD44 

Authors*: Nathan Bucay, Kiran Sekhon, Varahram Shahryari, Yozo Mitsui, Guoren Deng, 

Z. Laura Tabatabai, Shahana Majid, Soichiro Yamamura, Rajvir Dahiya, Yuichiro Tanaka, Sharanjot Saini 

Pres #: 1934 Section: 6 Presentation Date/Time: Monday, April 18: 1:00-5:00PM 

Location: 


Saini Lab Expertise: The Saini lab focuses primarily on understanding the molecular basis of progression 

and metastasis of prostate cancer, in particular the role of microRNA (miRNA) genes located at frequently 

deleted genomic regions in prostate cancer epithelial-to mesenchymal transition (EMT), recurrence and 

metastasis. A role for miRNAs that affects EMT and progression and metastasis of human cancers has 

begun to emerge and Dr. Saini’s research provided initial evidence that miR-203 regulates EMT by directly 

targeting ZEB2 and other EMT regulators that in turn regulate PCa invasion and metastasis. Her recent 

research has identified additional novel miRNAs in prostate cancer that play an important role in prostate 

cancer EMT, recurrence and metastasis. 

https://www.ncire.org/research/researchers_by_name/Sharanjot-Saini-PhD/ 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

A discovery study to identify clinical and genetic risk factors for 

bevacizumab (BEV)-related gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage (HEM) in 

metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients (pts) 

treated on CALGB 90401 (Alliance) 

Authors*: Jai N. Patel, Chen Jiang, Kouros Owzar, Daniel L. Hertz, Flora A. Mulkey, William K. Kelly, 

Susan Halabi, Yoichi Furukawa, Cameron Lassiter, Susan G. Dorsey, Paula N. Friedman, Eric J. Small, 

Michael A. Carducci, John F. Mahoney, Michael J. Kelley, Yusuke Nakamura, Michiaki Kubo, Mark J. Ratain, 

Michael J. Morris, Howard L. McLeod 


Location: 


Small Lab Expertise: The Stand Up To Cancer Dream Team led by Dr. Eric Small is exploring the idea that 

resistance to hormonal therapy occurs as a result of the prostate cancer cells using common cellular responses 

— what the Dream Team calls “adaptive pathways” — to escape the current prostate cancer therapies. They 

believe that, by identifying these pathways and inhibiting them, they will be able to overcome treatment 

resistance and profoundly improve the care of men affected by this fatal disease. This team is a six institution 

consortium to include UC Los Angeles, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, University of British Columbia, Oregon 

Health and Science University, with UCSF as the lead administrative site. 

http://cancer.ucsf.edu/people/profiles/small_eric.3671 


22

Presentations 

Toxicity, bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution 

and metabolism of a novel small molecule inhibitor of 

IL-6-induced STAT3 activation 

Authors*: Brian F. Kiesel, Robert A. Parise, Jianxia Guo, Donna M. Huryn, Paul A. Johnston, 

Rafaelle Colombo, Malabika Sen, Jennifer Grandis, Julie L. Eiseman, Jan H. Beumer 


Location: 


Grandis Lab Expertise: We performed a high content screening (HCS) campaign of a 95,000 compound 

subset of the NIH Molecular Library Screening Center Network (MLSCN) small-molecule library and identified 

four chemical hit series that selectively inhibited IL-6-induced STAT3 pathway activation in head and neck 

cancer cell lines that progressed into lead optimization. In the present study we assessed the toxicity, 

bioavailability, PK , tissue distribution and metabolism of a lead compound (UPCDC10205). Preliminary 

results indicate that UPCDC10205 was metabolically stable. No gross toxicity was observed in mice 

administered the maximum soluble dose. UPCDC10205 was widely distributed into tissues and cleared 

rapidly. Bioavailability was ~5%. In vivo metabolism of UPCDC10205 was by direct glucuronidation, explaining 

why microsomal stability (reflective of phase I metabolism) did not translate to in vivo metabolic stability. 


__________________________________________________________________________ 

Aurora kinase A (AURKA) dependence underlies the emergence of 

acquired resistance to 3rd generation EGFR inhibitors in NSCLC 

Authors*: Khyati Niral Shah, Henry J. Haringsma, Andrew D. Simmons, Sourav Bandyopadhyay 


Location: 


Bandyopadyay Lab Expertise: In the context of cancer, we are mapping genetic interactions systematically 

in high-throughput using RNAi and small-molecule based screens. Our primary interest is uncovering genes 

and pathways which modify the activity of major oncogenes including EGFR and KRAS. Our systems-biology 

approaches can be used to identify alternative, synthetic lethal targets as well as potential routes of resistance 

to therapies. In previous work we have interrogated the MYC oncogene in triple negative breast cancer and 

identified new therapies that can be used in a synthetic lethal manner to target MYC-high breast tumors 

[Martins et al Cancer Discovery 5(2):154-67 2015] 

http://cancersignaling.net/ 


23

Presentations 

Overcoming mTOR resistance mutations with a new generation 

mTOR inhibitor 

Authors*: Vanessa S. Rodrik-Outmezguine, Masanori Okaniwa, Zhan Yao, Chris Novotny, 

Claire McWhirter, Arpitha Banaji, Helen Won, Wai Wong, Mike Berger, Elisa de Stanchina, 

Derek G. Barrae, Sabina Cosulich, Teresa Klinowska, Neal Rosen, Kevan M. Shokat 


Location: 











__________________________________________________________________________ 

Functional characterization of combining epigenetic modifiers 

azacitidine and AG-221 in the TF-1:IDH2R140Q AML model 

Authors*: Vivek S. Chopra, Brian Avanzino, Konstantinos Mavrommatis, Adam Olshen, Jorge DiMartino, 

Kyle J. MacBeth 


Location: 


Olshen Lab Expertise: My research is focused on developing statistical tools that enhance understanding of 

genomic data. Tools that I have helped to develop are Circular Binary Segmentation (CBS) for analyzing copy 

number data, iCluster for integrating multiple types of genomic data, and Babel for identifying genes with 

unusual levels of translation from ribosome profiling data. I have additional projects in machine learning and 

analysis of genomic data sets with few replicates. I lead a team of computational biologists as Director of the 

Computational Biology Core in the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

http://cancer.ucsf.edu/people/profiles/olshen_adam.3576 


24

Presentations 

The genetic evolution of melanoma 

Authors*: Alan H. Shain, Richard Yu, Iwei Yeh, Jamal Benhamida, Ivanka Kovalyshyn, Aravindhan Sriharan, 

Eric Talevich, Reinhard Dummer, Jeffrey North, Laura Pincus, Beth Ruben, William Rickaby, Corrado D’Arrigo, 

Alistair Robson, Robert Judson, Nancy Joseph, Boris Bastian 


Location: 


Bastian Lab Expertise: My laboratory is interested in the genetic alterations involved in skin cancer 

pathogenesis and predisposition as well as in understanding their role in biology, markers to improve 

diagnosis, and targets for treatment. 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Combined BET-bromodomain and CDK2 inhibition 

in MYC-driven medulloblastoma 

Authors*: Sara Bolin, Anna Borgenvik, Camilla Persson, Gabriela Rosén, Anders Sundström, Jun Qi, 

James E. Bradner, William A. Weiss, Yoon-Jae Cho, Holger Weishaupt, Fredrik J. Swartling 


Location: 


Weiss Lab Expertise: The Weiss lab is broadly interested in developing and characterizing mouse models that 

faithfully recapitulate the biology and genetics of human tumors of the nervous system, and using observations 

in the mouse to inform the biology, genetics, and therapy of human tumors. 

Specifically, we are: 

1) Identifying the subsequent genetic events that promote tumorigenesis. 

2) Studying cancer stem and progenitor cells to understand their contribution to malignant progression. 

3) Evaluating new targets, therapies, and mechanistic rationales for combining targeted agents. 

http://waweisslab.ucsf.edu/ 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Optimizing cervical cancer screening for HIV-infected women: 

A risk-based approach 

Authors*: Hilary A. Robbins, L. Stewart Massad, Christopher B. Pierce, Lisa Flowers, Teresa M. Darragh, 

Howard Minkoff, Lisa Rahangdale, Marla J. Keller, Joel Milam, Margaret Fisch, Sadeep Shrestha, 

Christine Colie, Howard Strickler, Gypsyamber D’Souza 


Location: 



25

Presentations 

Association of mammographic density measures and 

breast cancer ‘intrinsic’ molecular subtypes 

Authors*: Aaron D. Norman, Rulla M. Tamimi, Christopher G. Scoe, Kimberly A. Bertrand, Matthew R. Jensen, 

Daniel W. Visscher, Fergus J. Couch, John Shepherd, Bo Fan, Yunn-Yi Chen, Lin Ma, Andrew Beck, 

Vernon S. Pankratz, Karla Kerlikowske, Celine M. Vachon 


Location: 


Kerlikowski Lab Expertise: My lab focuses on breast imaging and the epidemiology of invasive breast cancer, 

DCIS and breast density, and risk prediction models for invasive breast cancer. We have developed cohorts 

of women at risk for invasive breast cancer and DCIS and developed comprehensive databases that include 

breast imaging, pathologic, clinical, biomarker, and risk factor data, as well as follow-up for subsequent 

disease and death. 

http://cancer.ucsf.edu/people/profiles/kerlikowske_karla.3457 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Common genetic variants associated with breast cancer risk used 

in the Athena study to enhance models identifying women for 

breast cancer chemoprevention 

Authors*: Sarah Theiner, Sarah D. Sawyer, Paige Kendall, Alexandra S. Perry, Denise Wolf, Scott Huntsman, 

Bo Pan, Jeffery A. Tice, David A. Pearce, Thomas Cink, Laura Esserman, Elad Ziv, Laura van ‘t Veer 


Location: 












26

Presentations 

A stem cell program in metastatic human breast cancer 

Authors*: Zena Werb 

Pres #: Section: Presentation Date/Time: Monday, April 18: 1:10-1:35PM 

Location: New Orleans Theater C 


__________________________________________________________________________ 

Molecular evolution and taxonomy of melanoma 

Authors*: Boris C. Bastien 


Location: Room 391 Presentation Type: Recent Advances in Organ Site Research 

Bastian Lab Expertise: My laboratory is interested in the genetic alterations involved in skin cancer 

pathogenesis and predisposition as well as in understanding their role in biology, markers to improve 

diagnosis, and targets for treatment. 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Molecular mechanisms of driver mutations in glioma 

Authors*: Joseph F. Costello 


Location: Room 354 Presentation Type: Recent Advances in Organ Site Research 

Costello Lab Expertise (Limit 800 characters): Our goal is to understand the full life history of human tumors, 

from the first mutation and epimutation through clonal selection and tumor recurrence. We use NGS to 

discover patterns and interdependencies of genetic mutations, epigenetic alterations and gene expression 

changes. Current projects incorporate MRI guided tumor biopsies and treatment data with longitudinal 

genomics to allow the reconstruction of tumor evolution in the context of the human tumor in vivo. We recently 

discovered the mechanism by which mutations in the TERT gene promoter leads to telomerase activation. 

https://costellolab.ucsf.edu/ 


27

Presentations 

Off-target resistance to inhibitors of BCR-ABL and FLT3 in 

myeloid malignancies 

Authors*: Neil P. Shah 



Presentation Type: Recent Advances in Organ Site Research 

Shah Lab Expertise : The Shah lab is interested in advancing targeted therapeutics for hematologic 

malignancies through basic studies of in vitro and in vivo model systems to gain a better understanding 

critical vulnerabilities of malignant cells, and through translational/clinical studies of samples obtained 

from patients participating in early phase monotherapy clinical studies to identify, validate and override 

mechanisms of resistance to these agents. 

https://shah.ucsf.edu/ 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Translation of hyperpolarized 13 C imaging to the clinic 

Authors*: John Kurhanewicz 


Location: Room 260 Presentation Type: Major Symposium 

Kurhanewicz Lab Expertise 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Targeting adaptive pathways in metastatic treatment resistant 

prostate cancer 

Authors*: Eric Small 



Presentation Type: Special Session 

Small Lab Expertise: The Stand Up To Cancer Dream Team led by Dr. Eric Small is exploring the idea 

that resistance to hormonal therapy occurs as a result of the prostate cancer cells using common cellular 

responses — what the Dream Team calls “adaptive pathways” — to escape the current prostate cancer 

therapies. They believe that, by identifying these pathways and inhibiting them, they will be able to overcome 

treatment resistance and profoundly improve the care of men affected by this fatal disease. This team is a six 

institution consortium to include UC Los Angeles, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, University of British Columbia, 

Oregon Health and Science University, with UCSF as the lead administrative site. 

http://cancer.ucsf.edu/people/profiles/small_eric.3671 


28

Presentations 

Inhibition of fatty-acid oxidation as a therapy for MYC-overexpressing 

triple-negative breast cancer 

Authors*: Roman Camarda, Alicia Y. Zhou, Rebecca A. Kohnz, Sanjeev Balakrishnan, Celine Mahieu, 

Brieany Anderton, Henok Eyob, Shingo Kajimura, Aaron Tward, Gregor Krings, Daniel K. Nomura, 

Andrei Goga 

Pres #: 2673 Section: Presentation Date/Time: Monday, April 18: 4:05-4:20PM 



Goga Lab Expertise: Tumor cells are driven to proliferate, alter their metabolism, and deregulate cell death 

pathways by oncogene over-expression or the loss of tumor-suppressor genes. We seek to understand 

how oncogenes alter these pathways using cell-based and transgenic animal models. We are especially 

interested in how the prototypical oncogene Myc acts in diverse tumor types, including amongst the most 

aggressive breast and liver cancers and lymphomas. Myc has also been postulated to drive a ‘stem cell like’ 

gene expression pattern which may regulate tumor stem cell function. We seek to elucidate the genes and 

pathways that are indispensable for Myc function, and thus uncover potential ‘achilles heels’ of tumor cells. 

Our ultimate goal is to translate our basic discoveries to novel cancer therapeutics. 

http://oncogenes.net/Goga_Lab/Home.html 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

GAPVAC-101 phase I trial: First data of an innovative actively personalized 

peptide vaccination trial in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma 

Authors*: Norbert Hilf, Katrin Frenzel, Sabrina Kueruff-Coqui, Sandra Heesch, Sebastian Kreiter, Arie Admon, 

Valesca Bukur, Sjoerd van der Burg, Cecile Goueefangeas, Judith R. Kroep, Marij Schoenmaekers-Welters, 

Jordi Piro, Berta Ponsati, Hans Skovgaard Poulsen, Ulrik Lassen, Francisco Martinez-Ricarte, Jordi Rodon, 

Juan Sahuquillo, Monika Stieglbauer, Stefan Stevanovic, Per thor Straten, Marco Skardelly, Ghazaleh Tabatabai, 

Michael Plaeen, David Capper, Andreas von Deimling, Valérie Dutoit, Hideho Okada, Christian Oeensmeier, 

Randi Kristina Feist, Jens Fritsche, Karoline Laske, Peter Lewandrowski, Martin Löwer, Regina Mendryzk, 

Miriam Meyer, Carsten Reinhardt, Bernhard Rössler, Anna Paruzynski, Nina Pawlowski, Coleee Song, 

Stevermann Lea, Toni Weinschenk, Christoph Huber, Hans-Georg Rammensee, Pierre-Yves Dietrich, 

Wick Wolfgang, Ugur Sahin, Harpreet Singh-Jasuja 

Pres #: 2654 Section: Presentation Date/Time: Monday, April 18: 4:35-4:50PM 

Location: New Orleans Theater B 



of novel immunotherapeutic strategies for brain tumor patients. For example, Dr. Okada conducted one of the 

first immune gene therapy trials in patients with malignant glioma. His lab was also the first to identify and fully 

characterized cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitopes for gliomas. Dr. Okada has also delineated the role of an integrin 

receptor very late activation antigen-4 and chemokine CXCL10 in efficient trafficking of T-cells to brain 

tumor sites. Dr. Okada has integrated these findings to develop a number of vaccine trials in both adult and 

pediatric glioma patients. More recently, his group developed a novel chimeric antigen receptor targeting 

glioblastoma cells, and are currently conducting a pilot trial. 



29

Presentations 

Sensitizing the hypoxic tumor microenvironment with OMX, 

a breakthrough oxygen delivery protein: From protein engineering 

to clinical trial 

Authors*: Ana Krtolica, Natacha Le Moan, Philberta Leung, Youngho Seo, Jonathan Winger, 

Henry Van Brocklin, Michael Kent, Stephen Cary 

Pres #: 2790 Section: 5 Presentation Date/Time: Tuesday, April 19: 8:00AM-12:00PM 

Location: 


Van Brocklin Lab Expertise: The VanBrocklin laboratory focuses on developing nuclear imaging agents 

targeting cell surface proteins (receptors, enzymes and transporters) and signalling pathways and mechanisms 

by PET and SPECT imaging. We have developed imaging agents covering a broad range of molecular motifs 

from small molecules, antibodies, antibody fragments (e.g., Fabs, scFv, and diabodies), and aptamers, to 

proteins and peptides. We synthesize, evaluate and validate tracer mechanisms of localization and retention at 

the target site. We utilize in vitro and in vivo model systems to test the probes and interpret the data collected 

from these systems to determine their utility for research or as a future diagnostic. We have successfully 

translated many of these tracers into humans for drug development or evaluation as future diagnostics. 

http://cancer.ucsf.edu/people/profiles/vanbrocklin_henry.3696 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

TPX2 overexpression is essential for the survival of MYC-driven 

triple negative breast cancer 

Authors*: Julia Rohrberg, Alexandra Corella, Sanjeev Balakrishnan, Andrei Goga 


Location: 


Goga Lab Expertise: Tumor cells are driven to proliferate, alter their metabolism, and deregulate cell death 

pathways by oncogene over-expression or the loss of tumor-suppressor genes. We seek to understand 

how oncogenes alter these pathways using cell-based and transgenic animal models. We are especially 

interested in how the prototypical oncogene Myc acts in diverse tumor types, including amongst the most 

aggressive breast and liver cancers and lymphomas. Myc has also been postulated to drive a ‘stem cell like’ 

gene expression pattern which may regulate tumor stem cell function. We seek to elucidate the genes and 

pathways that are indispensable for Myc function, and thus uncover potential ‘achilles heels’ of tumor cells. 

Our ultimate goal is to translate our basic discoveries to novel cancer therapeutics. 

http://oncogenes.net/Goga_Lab/Home.html 


30

Presentations 

Genetic prediction of VEGF-A plasma levels in cancer patients 

Authors*: Federico Innocenti, Chen Jiang, Alexander Sibley, Amy Etheridge, Yoichi Furukawa, Michiaki Kubo, 

Hedy L. Kindler, Alan P. Venook, Herber I. Hurwitz, Andrew B. Nixon, Kouros Owzar 


Location: 


__________________________________________________________________________ 

Longitudinal changes in volumetric breast density with adjuvant 

endocrine therapy among women with breast cancer 

Authors*: Natalie J. Engmann, Celine M. Vachon, Christopher G. Scoe, Maehew R. Jensen, Lin Ma, 

Kathleen R. Brandt, Amir P. Mahmoudzadeh, Serghei Malkov, Dana H. Whaley, Carrie B. Hruska, 

Fang F. Wu, Stacey J. Winham, Diana L. Miglioretti, Aaron D. Norman, John J. Heine, John Shepherd, 

V. Shane Pankratz, Karla Kerlikowske 


Location: 


Kerlikowske Lab Expertise: My lab focuses on breast imaging and the epidemiology of invasive breast 

cancer, DCIS and breast density, and risk prediction models for invasive breast cancer. We have developed 

cohorts of women at risk for invasive breast cancer and DCIS and developed comprehensive databases 

that include breast imaging, pathologic, clinical, biomarker, and risk factor data, as well as follow-up for 

subsequent disease and death. 

http://cancer.ucsf.edu/people/profiles/kerlikowske_karla.3457 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Antiangiogenic therapy and immune modulation 

Authors*: Gabriele Bergers 

Pres #: Section: Presentation Date/Time: Tuesday, April 19: 10:40-11:05AM 












31

Presentations 

Novel genetic variants protective against breast cancer in Latinas 

Authors*: Laura Fejerman 

Pres #: Section: Presentation Date/Time: Tuesday, April 19: 11:00-11:20AM 



Fejerman Lab Expertise: Dr. Fejerman focuses on the discovery of genetic and non-genetic factors that 

contribute to breast cancer risk and prognosis in Latinas. Her past work established a relationship between 

genetic ancestry and breast cancer risk, where higher European ancestry in U.S. and Mexican Latinas was 

associated with an increased risk. Her subsequent research has built upon this observation, exploring genetic 

variants, through admixture mapping and genome-wide association approaches, as well as the possible 

environmental and lifestyle related factors, and ancestry-gene interactions. Recent work explores disparities in 

breast cancer prognosis by genetic ancestry in Latinas and its potential causes. 

http://fejerman.ucsf.edu 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

A new innovative and robust targeted deep sequencing system: 36 hours 

turn round time from patient samples to the final mutation report 

Authors*: Pedro Mendez, Jun-Hee Yoon, Sharon Lee, James Kim, Jenny Dang, Thomas Kim, 

David Jablons, Il Jin Kim 

Pres #: 3609 Section: 6 Presentation Date/Time: Tuesday, April 19: 1:00-5:00PM 

Location: P 

resentation Type: Poster Session 

Kim Lab Expertise: Dr. Il-Jin Kim has focused his career on three important cancer-related areas: 1) cancer 

genetics and genomics, 2) early detection and 3) cancer prevention. Dr. Kim has published approximately 

70 papers in these areas. He has also been granted three patents for mutation detection methods. Projects 

included in these areas include: genetic screening in hereditary (familial) cancers to distinguishing carriers 

from non-carriers, development of new genetic screening methods for cancer prevention, and genome-wide 

gene expression microarray analysis. 

Current projects in the Kim Lab include: Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Early Detection, Cancer Prevention. 

http://kimlab.surgery.ucsf.edu/about-us.aspx 


32

Presentations 

Overcoming resistance to HER2 inhibitors through cell based screening 

Authors*: Chris J. Novotny, Sirkku Pollari, Jin H. Park, Mark A. Lemmon, Peter G. Schultz, Weijun Shen, 

Kevan M. Shokat 


Location: 











__________________________________________________________________________ 

Highly sensitive detection of MYB-NFIB fusion transcripts 

in adenoid cystic carcinoma 

Authors*: Piotr T. Wysocki, Shizhang Ling, Chunbo Shao, Marieea Tan, David Sidransky, Patrick Ha, 

Mariana Brait 


Location: 


Ha Lab Expertise: Dr. Ha’s lab interests align with his clinical practice of managing patients with complex 

head and neck cancers. He has had multiple NIH grants examining the molecular underpinnings of salivary 

gland adenoid cystic carcinoma in order to learn more about this rare but deadly disease. He serves on 

the editorial board of several journals including Head and Neck and Oral Oncology, and is now serving 

as the Chief of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology at the University of California San Francisco. 

http://ohns.ucsf.edu/patrick-ha 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Structural basis of recognition of farnesylated and methylated 

KRAS4b by PDE-δ 

Authors*: Sathiya Dharmaiah, Lakshman Bindu, Peter Frank, William Gilleee, Dominic Esposito, 

Dwight Nissley, Frank McCormick, Andrew Stephen, Dhirendra Simanshu 

Pres #: 4373 Section: Presentation Date/Time: Tuesday, April 19: 3:05-3:20PM 




33

Presentations 

T cell repertoire diversification is associated with immune 

related toxicities following immune checkpoint inhibition in 

metastatic cancer patients 

Authors*: David Y. Oh, Jason Cham, Li Zhang, Grant Fong, Mark Klinger, Malek Faham, Lawrence Fong 

Pres #: 4362 Section: Presentation Date/Time: Tuesday, April 19: 3:50-4:05PM 

Location: New Orleans Theater C 


Fong Lab Expertise: My lab focuses on how the immune system interacts with cancer as well as exploring 

tumor immunotherapies in mouse models and in patients. Our primary focus is in immunotherapy of GI and 

GU malignancies. We investigate how immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and cancer 

vaccines can enhance anti-tumor immunity both systemically and in the tumor microenvironment. Performing 

neoadjuvant immunotherapy trials, we determine how specific therapies can recruit immune effectors in cancer 

patients. Moreover, we have studied how clinical responders may differ from clinical non-responders. We are 

applying unbiased approaches to studying antigen-specific responses that are modulated in these patients 

and are currently developing biomarkers that may be predictive of clinical efficacy. 

http://hemonc.ucsf.edu/fonglab/ 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Mechanism of PI3K activation by the HER3/ErbB3 receptor 

Authors*: Nicole Michael, Michael Hopkins, Natalia Jura 

Pres #: 4590 Section: 8 Presentation Date/Time: Wednesday, April 20: 8:00AM-12:00PM 

Location: 


Jura Lab Expertise: The main interest of our laboratory is to understand molecular principles of signal 

transduction events. We investigate them at the level of enzymatic function and molecular structure of signaling 

proteins. Our current focus is on understanding how membrane-associated kinases, such as receptor tyrosine 

kinases, assemble into functional complexes and interface with the plasma membrane. We also investigate 

alternative non-catalytic roles of kinase scaffolds and seek to identify small molecule inhibitors that target 

these poorly understood kinase functions in human diseases. 

http://www.cvri.ucsf.edu/~jura/lab/Jura_Lab_Home.html 


34

Presentations 

Direct analysis of tumor immune infiltrates for “Exhausted” 

CD8+ T-Cells and BDCA3+ predicts responses in melanoma 

Authors*: Kimberly Loo, Katy K. Tsai, Adi Nosrati, Mariela Pauli, Robert Sanchez, Miranda Broz, 

Lorenzo Nardo, Miguel Pampaloni, Michael Alvarado, Paul Tumeh, Alain Algazi, Michael Rosenblum, 

Matthew Krummel, Adil Daud 


Location: 


Daud Lab Expertise: Our group at UCSF is focused on developing new immunotherapy agents and 

specifically understanding the biology of the immune response to PD-1 in melanoma. We developed IL-12 

gene therapy in melanoma and carried out the first in human clinical trial in 2005-2007. Based on this work, 

IL-12 electroporation is being explored in many cancers as an immune agent and as a combination treatment 

with PD-1 and other checkpoint inhibitors in melanoma. I have been involved in the development of anti- 

PD-1 antibodies for melanoma. With my colleagues Michael Rosenblum and Max Krummel at UCSF, we 

have developed a novel assay that profiles the intra-tumoral microenvironment in depth and can predict nonresponse 

to PD-1. We are currently exploring novel strategies for PD-1 non-responsive subsets of melanoma 

(and potentially other cancers). 

http://cancer.ucsf.edu/people/profiles/daud_adil.3622 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Interplay between ECM stiffness, miR-203 and mammographic density 

Authors*: Ivory Dean, Irene Acerbi, Alfred Au, Yunn-Yi Chen, Shelley Hwang, Valerie Weaver 


Location: 


Weaver Lab Expertise: The extracellular matrix (ECM), the noncellular component of the microenvironment, 

influences cell growth, survival, migration and tissue-specific differentiation through a repertoire of cellular 

receptors including integrins, syndecans and discoidin receptors. We are exploring the molecular mechanisms 

whereby these ECM receptors modulate cell fate: specifically, how mechanical and topological properties of the 

matrix, which are related to its composition and organization, regulate the function of matrix receptors to alter 

cell behavior. Our research program is broadly divided into two fields of inquiry: (1) how matrix composition 

and organization influences mammary tissue development and tumor progression and (2) to clarify the role of 

matrix force on embryonic and adult stem cell fate. 

http://weaverlab.ucsf.edu 


35

Presentations 

IDH mutation-induced suppression of type-1 anti-glioma 

immune responses 

Authors*: Gary Kohanbash, Brian Ahn, Shruti Shrivastav, Diego Carrera, Joseph Costello, Hideho Okada 


Location: 



of novel immunotherapeutic strategies for brain tumor patients. For example, Dr. Okada conducted one of the 

first immune gene therapy trials in patients with malignant glioma. His lab was also the first to identify and fully 

characterized cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitopes for gliomas. Dr. Okada has also delineated the role of an integrin 

receptor very late activation antigen-4 and chemokine CXCL10 in efficient trafficking of T-cells to brain tumor 

sites. Dr. Okada has integrated these findings to develop a number of vaccine trials in both adult and pediatric 

glioma patients. More recently, his group developed a novel chimeric antigen receptor targeting glioblastoma 

cells, and are currently conducting a pilot trial. 


__________________________________________________________________________ 

STAT3 inhibition as chemoprevention in a chemically induced 

mouse model of HNSCC 

Authors*: Noah D. Peyser, Lin Wang, Marie Acquafondata, Maria Freilino, Hua Li, Yan Zeng, Malabika Sen, 

William E. Gooding, Daniel E. Johnson, Jennifer R. Grandis 


Location: 


Grandis Lab Expertise: We have determined that STAT3 is a plausible therapeutic target in head and 

neck cancer where STAT3 activation contributes to chemoresistance. Studies to date have focused on the 

mechanisms of STAT3 hyperactivation in HNSCC as well as developing strategies to block STAT3 signaling 

in preclinical models and HNSCC patients. Loss of function genetic alterations of protein tyrosine receptor 

phosphatases contribute to STAT3 activation in HNSCC where STAT3 mutations are rare. We have developed 

and patented a decoy oligonucleotide strategy to block STAT3, demonstrated pharmacodynamic effiacy in a 

phase 0 trial and are poised to assess the STAT3 decoy in a phase I study pending completion of INDdirected 

pharm/tox assessment. Preclinical studies demonstrate antitumor efficacy in combination with 

cetuximab in HNSCC models and erlotinib in NSCLC. 



36

Presentations 

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) reverses aggressive 

breast cancer in the radiation chimera model 

Authors*: Coral O. Omene, Manan Patel, Irineu IllaBochaca, Mary Helen Barcellos-Hoff 


Location: 


Barcellos-Hoff Lab Expertise: Our lab focuses on stromal epithelial interactions during mammary 

carcinogenesis. We developed a novel radiation chimera mammary model in which the host mouse is 

irradiated and subsequently transplanted with oncogenically primed mammary epithelia that lack the tumor 

suppressor, Trp53. Diverse carcinomas, as assessed by markers or intrinsic subtype signatures, arise from 

this epithelium that recapitulate the spectrum of breast cancer in women. The influence of host biology on the 

breast cancer spectrum provides a novel perspective on extrinsic drivers of aggressive cancers that recur and 

metastasize. This diversity also underscores this as a particularly relevant murine model in which to explore 

therapuetic response of spontaneous cancer in an immunocompetent mouse or, as reported here, to test 

chemoprevention strategies. 

http://cancer.ucsf.edu/people/profiles/barcellos-hoff_mary.6915 


37

UCSF HELEN DILLER FAMILY COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?