The growth of many breast cancers is regulated by estrogens, and these cancers can be treated effectively with endocrine therapies (ET). Identifying patients who will benefit from ET, however, continues to be challenging. Measurement of estrogen receptor (ER) levels in tumor biopsy samples using immunohistochemistry provides accurate negative prediction (no ER implies no ET response), but poor positive prediction. We have developed a fluorine-18 labeled estrogen, 16alpha-[F-18]fluoro-17beta-estradiol (FES) for in vivo imaging of ER in breast cancer by positron emission tomography (PET). Clinical PET imaging studies with FES provides a higher positive predictive value for benefit from ET than does IHC. In addition, an endocrine challenge test that measures the change in tumor metabolism, assessed by PET with 2-[F-18]fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) 1 week after tamoxifen or after 1 day of estradiol therapy, provides a highly accurate prediction of the ultimate benefit of ET in treatment. Both FES-PET and serial FDG-PET are promising approaches whereby it should be possible to tailor ET to individual breast cancer patients.

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Cancer Community At Illinois Symposium 2012

April 5-6, 2012: Connecting patient care, research, and scientific advancement

Symposium Premise
This on-campus research symposium aims to bring together members of campus and the surrounding community to foster interdisciplinary discussions on cancer research and its affects on patient care. In order to increase understanding and awareness, we will discuss in an open forum with research talks, poster presentations, and panel discussions. We invite community members, clinicians, and researchers from UIUC and other Midwest regional institutions from departments ranging from the social sciences to basic sciences to engineering and medicine.
The symposium features invited talks from nationally-recognized cancer researchers, oral presentations from UIUC faculty and students, and poster sessions. We encourage student researchers from UIUC and from other regional schools to apply (travel awards are available).

About CC@I Symposium
The Cancer Community at Illinois (CC@I) Symposium is organized by a group of students on the University of Illinois campus to bridge the areas of social science, basic sciences to engineering and medicine as they relate to cancer. The symposium mission is to: 1) Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and understanding that transcends established departmental affiliation; 2) Foster an increased understanding of the social and environmental factors affecting patients; and 3) Develop unique vantage points afforded by interactive dialogue between and among the various cancer research disciplines. In order to accomplish this, the symposium will engage the local patient community through use of the nascent social and support efforts of the Mills Breast Cancer Institute, Carle Hospital, and regional clinical collaborators.
If you are interested in other CC@I events or the program in general, please contact cancer-community@illinois.edu

Professor John A. Katzenellenbogen attended Harvard University for his undergraduate and graduate work. He received his B.A. in 1966 and his Ph.D. in 1969, at which time he joined the faculty at Illinois. Professor Katzenellenbogen's research interests involve organic and inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and radiochemistry.
Professor Katzenellenbogen's work involves the molecular details of action of steroid hormones using chemical and spectroscopic tools and molecular biology to understand how these interesting proteins work and to develop novel medical diagnostic procedures. Many of his lab's studies are done in collaboration with biologists.
-From Professor Katzenellenbogen's faculty profile

In collaboration with: Michael J. Welch, Farrokh Dehdashti, and Barry Siegel

Workshop Sponsored by:
The Focal Point Project by the Graduate College
Co-sponsors:
Beckman Institute
Department of Bioengineering
Departmnt of Cell and Developmental Biology
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Department of Chemistry
Department of Computer Science
Division of Biomedical Sciences
Institute for Genomic Biology
Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory
Midwest Cancer Nanotechnology Training Center
Molecular and Integrative Physiology
University of Illinois Office of the Provost
University of illinois Cancer Center