Press Releases
2004
December 27, 2004
Diana Ecclestone, Susan Keenan and Michele Kessler are named chairs of 14th annual Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 'Discovery Ball'Diana Ecclestone, Susan Keenan and Michele Kessler will serve as chairwomen of the 14th annual "Discovery Ball," which supports Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. One of the highlights of the Palm Beach season, the "Discovery Ball" will be held on Saturday, Feb.19, at The Breakers. Cocktails begin at 7 p.m. with dinner and dancing at 8 p.m. Nassrine Traverse and Jan Willinger serve as honorary chairwomen for the "Discovery Ball." VIVID Collection is grand corporate sponsor of the event. read more
December 23, 2004
First 'atlas' of key brain genes could speed research on cancer, neurological diseasesResearchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have compiled the first atlas showing the locations of crucial gene regulators, or switches that determine how different parts of the brain develop ? and, in some cases, develop abnormally or malfunction. read more
December 23, 2004
Scientists discover the cellular roots of graying hairFew things about growing older are as inevitable and obvious as "going gray," yet scientists have been unable to explain the precise cause of this usually unwelcome transformation. read more
December 22, 2004
Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield visits Dana-Farber with World Series trophyWhen Mackenzie Freeman was in the intensive care unit at Children's Hospital Boston in October with complications from her leukemia treatment, she says it was Red Sox's thrilling World Series championship drive that helped her through. This morning, during what the 17-year-old from Lexington thought was going to be a routine trip to the Jimmy Fund Clinic for chemotherapy, her favorite baseball team picked her up again. read more
December 20, 2004
Scientists identify protein critical to melanoma growthResearchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children's Hospital Boston have discovered that malignant melanoma, the potentially lethal skin cancer, can't grow without a steady supply of a protein that normal cells can do without. read more
November 17, 2004
Pan-Massachusetts Challenge raises $20 million for the Jimmy FundThe cyclists and virtual riders of the 25th annual Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) bike-athon raised $20 million for the Jimmy Fund. PMC Founder and Executive Director Billy Starr presented the record-setting amount to Dana- Farber Cancer Institute President Edward J. Benz Jr., MD, at the PMC's 25th annual check presentation ceremony and gala held Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Boston Convention and Expo Center ballroom. read more
November 8, 2004
New audiovisual program educates patients about clinical trialsAs patients and families weigh decisions about whether or not to enter a clinical trial, they can now learn from other patients and caregivers by watching a new video being offered both on VHS tape and on DVD. read more
November 2, 2004
Dana-Farber researchers receive CDC grants to develop health promotion and prevention programs in the work placeThe Center for Disease Control (CDC) has awarded researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) two grants totaling $3 million to develop workplace- based health promotion and prevention programs. read more
October 27, 2004
November is National Marrow Awareness MonthEvery 18 minutes someone in the United States is diagnosed with a medical condition that requires treatment with a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant. November is National Marrow Awareness month, and Dana-Farber is encouraging people to help save lives by registering to be a potential donor. read more
October 18, 2004
Study helps doctors identify childhood cancer survivors at increased risk of developing breast cancerYoung women who were treated for cancer as children have a greater chance of developing breast cancer if their treatment included chest radiation, if they initially had cancer of the bones, muscles, or connective tissue, or had a family history of breast cancer, according to a new study. read more
October 12, 2004
Dana-Farber names noted medical errors prevention expert to oversee patient safety programDana-Farber Cancer Institute has recruited Saul Weingart, MD, PhD, a national expert on medical error prevention, to be vice president for patient safety and the director of the Center for Patient Safety. read more
October 8, 2004
The Dana-Farber Blum Family Resource Center Van hits the road to educate Massachusetts communities about cancerTuesday, October 12 marks the launch of The Dana-Farber Blum Family Resource Center Van, a mobile education center that will travel to underserved communities throughout Greater Boston to spread the word about cancer prevention and early detection and offer cancer screenings. read more
October 7, 2004
Gene mutation discovery may lead to new treatment for leukemiaResearchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) have made a breakthrough discovery, identifying a common mutation in T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (T-ALL), an important form of cancer in children and adolescents. read more
September 27, 2004
Study finds that black men are significantly less likely to undergo prostate cancer screeningAlthough black men in the United States are more likely than white men to be diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and have a two-fold greater risk of dying from it, they are significantly less likely to be screened for prostate cancer, according to a Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital study. read more
September 22, 2004
Experimental drug shown to block mutant protein causing blood diseaseScientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women"s Hospital have prolonged the lives of mice with a rare blood disorder by using an experimental drug that blocks signals promoting runaway growth of blood cells. read more
September 20, 2004
Researchers eliminate leukemia in mice, demonstrating potential new approach to cancer drug therapyScientists at Dana-Farber have corrected a flaw in cancer cells that lets them evade the normal cell-death process, and as a result they eliminated leukemia cells from mice. read more
September 17, 2004
Boston's Mammography Van boosted by gift from NSTARNSTAR launched a partnership with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) today with a gift of $250,000 from the NSTAR Charitable Foundation to Boston's Mammography Van. The gift will help increase the number of Boston women who will receive breast health education and mammograms, regardless of their ability to pay, through the mobile screening program. read more
September 8, 2004
Medical school deans see need for better training in end-of-life careMedical students in the United States generally don't receive adequate training in end-of-life care, and medical schools should take steps to incorporate such instruction into their curricula, according to a survey of medical school curriculum leaders conducted by Dana-Farber researchers. read more
September 2, 2004
Optimizing protein's "death domain" halts leukemia in laboratory studyA part of the system that causes cells to self-destruct when they are damaged or unneeded has been harnessed to kill leukemia cells in mice, say scientists at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The discovery could aid in the discovery of new drugs for cancer and other diseases. read more
August 31, 2004
Annual WEEI Jimmy Fund Radiothon surpasses fundraising goal, helps raise awareness of work being done at Dana-FarberBy the time Dana-Farber's medical all-stars tossed ceremonial first pitches at Jimmy Fund Night at Fenway Park last Friday, the third annual "WEEI Jimmy Fund Radiothon Presented by NESN" had already surpassed the $1-million mark. read more
August 30, 2004
Lance Armstrong Foundation's $1 million gift launches adult cancer survivorship clinic at Dana-FarberThe Lance Armstrong Foundation has given a $1 million gift to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to establish the Lance Armstrong Foundation Adult Survivorship Clinic. The clinic, which will be part of the Perini Family Survivors' Center, will expand Dana-Farber's commitment to serving cancer survivors of all ages. read more
August 25, 2004
Dana-Farber patients, caregivers to 'star' in WEEI Jimmy Fund Radiothon on FridayAlthough sports luminaries from New England's past and present will provide star power for the third annual WEEI Jimmy Fund Radiothon, the real wattage will be supplied by Dana-Farber's clinicians and patients, who will play an integral role in the Aug. 27 fundraiser at Fenway Park. read more
August 23, 2004
Study suggests cell-cycle triggers might be cancer drug targetsIn an experiment that appears to refute current theory, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists have found that removing three key proteins believed essential to cell division and growth had little impact on normal tissue development of a mouse embryo. These same proteins, when overly active, have been linked to cancer cell proliferation. read more
August 17, 2004
Short course of hormonal therapy improves survival in prostate cancer patients treated with radiation therapyResearchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) have found that adding only six months of hormone therapy to external beam radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer increased patients' likelihood of surviving to five years by 10 percent. read more
August 17, 2004
Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium launched as new model to accelerate drug development for blood cancerThe Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC), a first-of-its kind non-profit organization that integrates four leading cancer research institutions, was announced today. The ultimate goal of the new Consortium is to rapidly advance the drug development process and find a cure for multiple myeloma. read more
August 16, 2004
Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center to open in-house palliative care unitA new unit slated to open in September at Brigham and Women's Hospital will provide care for cancer patients requiring intensive, focused attention to their physical, social, psychological, or spiritual needs. read more
August 11, 2004
Pan-Massachusetts Challenge marks 25th rideHeld this past weekend, the 25th annual Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) bike-a-thon culminated a generation of cycling that has been funding research and treatment at Dana-Farber through its Jimmy Fund since the ride's 1980 inception. read more
August 5, 2004
Some cancer cell changes can be reversed, cloning study findsNature can reset the clock in certain types of cancer and reverse some of the elements responsible for causing malignancy, reports a research team from the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. read more
July 19, 2004
Study suggests broader chemotherapy attack in breast cancerIn the first comprehensive survey of gene activity in each cell type composing normal and malignant breast tissue, scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have identified genes in non-cancerous supporting cells that can spur the growth of breast cancer cells. read more
July 15, 2004
Study suggests value of regular PSA tests for tracking prostate cancerA study by researchers from Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women?s Hospital indicates that the rate at which prostate-specific-antigens (PSA) levels rise may be more important for predicting the danger of prostate cancer than the PSA levels themselves. read more
July 14, 2004
DFCI researchers funded for assault on ovarian cancerA grant of $11 million over four-and-a-half years has been awarded to the Dana- Farber/Harvard Cancer Center for a broad program whose mission is to lower ovarian cancer deaths. read more
July 7, 2004
Drug reduces heart damage caused by childhood leukemia treatmentA potent chemotherapy that is highly effective in treating the most common form of childhood leukemia can significantly harm the heart, but findings from a multi-center study led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers suggest that adding an experimental drug to the therapy can reduce or prevent the damage. read more
July 2, 2004
U.S.News & World Report ranks Dana-Farber as New England's top cancer hospital
For the fourth straight year, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has been rated the top cancer hospital in New England and the fourth best in the nation by U.S.News & World Report. read more
June 9, 2004
Study of proteins offers insights into organization of biological networksResearch into the many-sided interactions of proteins in yeast cells is revealing that such networks may have something in common with other kinds of systems, from the World Wide Web to the country?s electric-power grid. read more
June 8, 2004
Clinical trial shows SU11248 benefits more than half of patients with gastrointestinal tumors resistant to GleevecA new pill that targets several molecules implicated in the growth of cancer has shown promise in combating gastrointestinal tumors that no longer respond to the targeted drug Gleevec, according to a study led by scientists at Dana- Farber Cancer Institute. read more
June 6, 2004
Study finds Velcade™ a major improvement over standard therapy for patients with relapsed multiple myelomaEarly results from a major, international Phase III clinical trial decisively show that recurrent multiple myeloma is more effectively treated with the drug bortezomib (trade name: Velcade™) than with dexamethasone, a drug that for decades has been the standard therapy for relapsed disease, researchers at Dana- Farber Cancer Institute report. read more
June 5, 2004
Patient and physician attitudes may deter African Americans from receiving surgery for non-small cell lung cancer, study findsDo African Americans with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have a lower overall survival rate than Caucasians with the disease because they have less access to adequate medical care, or because they are less likely to agree to lung surgery when offered? read more
May 26, 2004
Dana-Farber salutes cancer survivors in JuneThe voices of survivors will offer inspiration to all through discussion and education June 1-4 as Dana-Farber joins in celebrating the 17th annual National Cancer Survivors Day. read more
May 24, 2004
Katie Couric joins Dana-Farber researchers to kick off colon cancer prevention and awareness programDana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Boston affordable housing community are launching Open Doors to Health, a colon cancer prevention and awareness program. read more
May 21, 2004
DF/HCC first to receive accreditation for protecting patients in clinical trialsFollowing a review by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP), the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center has become the first comprehensive cancer center in the United States to receive an accreditation for its safety standards covering participants in clinical trials. read more
May 12, 2004
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's mercury-ridding efforts yield awardDana-Farber Cancer Institute has been recognized by Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) for its success in reducing the use of products with mercury and the release of mercury waste. read more
May 10, 2004
Dana-Farber president elected to American Academy of Arts and SciencesEdward J. Benz, Jr., MD, president of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the nation's oldest scholarly society. read more
April 29, 2004
Study identifies which patients can benefit from targeted lung cancer drug — and whyIn a study that stands to benefit thousands of patients with non-small cell lung cancer around the world, researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and in Japan have found that patients whose lung cancers harbor a malfunctioning version of a protein called EGFR respond dramatically to the drug gefitinib (Iressa™). read more
April 26, 2004
Clinical trial participants often do not receive trial resultsMost oncology physicians and nurses do not share the results of clinical trials with their patients who are participants, even though they believe that their patients want the results and that routinely offering results would not have a negative effect on patients. read more
April 15, 2004
The SHADE/Shonda and Curt Schilling Skin Cancer Prevention InitiativeWith a generous gift from the SHADE Foundation, the Center for Community Based Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is creating the SHADE/Shonda and Curt Schilling Skin Cancer Prevention Initiative, which will be dedicated to significantly lowering the incidence rates of skin cancer in the United States. read more
April 13, 2004
North America's largest-ever breast cancer prevention trial nears enrollment goal of 19,000 patientsLeaders of North America's largest-ever breast cancer prevention trial, the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR), are striving to reach a major milestone this summer: the enrollment of the study's 19,000th — and final — participant. read more
April 7, 2004
Emil Frei III, MD, honored for his role in developing first treatment leading to complete cure for childhood leukemiaEmil Frei III, MD, who revolutionized chemotherapy and advanced the treatment of cancer worldwide, has received the inaugural American Association for Cancer Research Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cancer Research. read more
March 31, 2004
Dana-Farber launches Center for Applied Cancer Science to expedite cancer drug discovery and developmentDana-Farber officials today announced the establishment of the Center for Applied Cancer Science, a far-reaching initiative designed to convert basic molecular discoveries into new therapies for cancer. read more
March 23, 2004
New melanoma program launched at Dana-FarberAt least partly because of our love for the sun and more skin-baring fashions, rates of malignant melanoma are climbing more steeply than any other cancer in the United States. Melanoma, which often spreads and can be fatal, is bringing more patients to Dana-Farber to receive expert treatment for this challenging disease. read more
March 19, 2004
"Gene chips" provide tool for gauging effectiveness of chemotherapy in adult leukemia patientsTaking a "snapshot" of gene activity can help doctors to determine which adult leukemia patients are likely to benefit from therapy and how long their remission is likely to last. read more
March 15, 2004
Scientists identify crucial gene for blood developmentResearchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have pinpointed a crucial gene on which the normal development of the body's entire blood system depends. read more
February 25, 2004
Dana-Farber scientists discover natural blocker of HIV-1 virus; finding could lead to new strategies for preventing infection that causes AIDSResearchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have identified a protein in Old World monkeys that blocks infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV- 1). The finding could lead to improved animal models of AIDS for research and suggests that a similar molecule known to exist in humans might be exploited for prevention and therapy. read more
February 24, 2004
New DFCI center takes on lofty goal of mapping complete set of gene interactions within human cellsWith a draft of the human genome map now in hand, a group of Dana-Farber researchers is moving to the next frontier in molecular research: a study of the interactions among the estimated 30,000 genes in human cells. read more
February 19, 2004
Stanley Korsmeyer receives Pezcoller Foundation-AACR International Award for Cancer ResearchStanley J. Korsmeyer, MD, Sidney Farber Professor of Pathology and professor of medicine at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator, is the recipient of the seventh annual Pezcoller Foundation-American Association for Cancer Research International Award for Cancer Research for his pioneering studies in programmed cell death, or apoptosis. read more
February 13, 2004
March is national colorectal cancer awareness monthThis year, more than an estimated 146,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and another 56,000 will die from the disease. read more
February 11, 2004
DFCI grant program aims to accelerate research for treatment of solid tumors, including lung, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancersPhilip Kantoff, MD, chief of Dana-Farber's Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, is building a new Institutewide grant program aimed at accelerating development of treatments for solid tumors such as lung, breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers. read more
February 4, 2004
Scientists identify a human antibody that blocks SARS virus infectionAn antibody plucked from a "library" of human antibodies has powerfully blocked infection by the SARS virus in laboratory tests, scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute report. read more
February 3, 2004
Studies find benefit in stop-smoking programs targeted for working-class groupsA study by researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute suggests that a person's occupation is a distinct and significant factor in determining which groups of adults bear the greatest burden of smoking, and which may especially benefit from smoking-cessation efforts. read more
January 29, 2004
Patience, listening are key to discussing a cancer diagnosis with parents of young patients, paper reportsA conversation that touches parents' deepest fears — learning that their child has been diagnosed with cancer — is one where a physician's approach can make a profound difference. read more
January 23, 2004
Study asks if cancer patients enrolled in clinical trials have better outcomes than non-participantsAlthough clinical trials are conducted to test experimental treatments for the benefit of future patients, some oncologists contend that cancer patients who enroll in trials experience better outcomes than non-participants - a benefit known as a "trial effect." read more
January 22, 2004
DFCI physician-in-chief emeritus receives prestigious award for his historic contributions to the treatment of pediatric leukemiaDFCI Physician-in-Chief Emeritus Emil Frei III, MD, has been selected as one of four physician-scientists to receive the prestigious 2003 Pollin Prize in Pediatric Research.' read more
January 14, 2004
Study suggests more cancer patients receiving aggressive care at end of lifeA growing number of cancer patients are receiving aggressive treatments when they are near death, according to a study led by researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. read more
January 13, 2004
Idea inspires new screening test for anti-cancer agentsRecently, a Dana-Farber scientist's discovery about the flow of signals through the nucleus prompted another Dana-Farber researcher to think of a new way to rapidly screen compounds as anti-cancer drugs. read more
January 7, 2004
BRCA mutations not associated with colorectal cancer risk, studies suggestTwo studies in the January 7 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that mutations in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 are not associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. read more
January 5, 2004
Study supports tailoring adjuvant therapy for early-stage breast cancerPremenopausal women with lymph node-negative breast cancer should receive adjuvant therapy tailored according to the estrogen receptor status of the primary tumor, suggests a recent study. read more
