Basic Science Research: Where Breakthroughs Begin
Basic science research at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center is anything but simple—or static. It is one of the foundations the Cancer Center is built on, often laying the groundwork for exciting and dramatic breakthroughs in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“Basic science research tries to understand, at a simple level, normal cell processes,” says Etty (Tika) Benveniste, Ph.D., associate director of basic research, chair of the Department of Cell Biology and Cancer Center senior scientist. “These processes include cell growth, cell migration and anti-tumor response, among others. In order to understand what goes wrong when a cell becomes cancerous, we first have to understand normal cell processes such as these.”
Insights and Interaction
Since becoming head of the center’s basic science research activities in 2006, Dr. Benveniste has been making efforts to expand not only the Cancer Center’s basic science research, but also the collaborations between basic scientists and clinicians. One new initiative is a basic science program she established with Cancer Center Scientist Michael Ruppert, M.D.
The Cancer Cell Biology Program is particularly focused on studying tumor metastasis, cell cycles and the interaction between a tumor and its host organism. The program consists of developmental biologists who study cell processes in organisms that share similar cell characteristics with humans—for example, roundworms, flies, frogs and zebrafish.
“Developmental biology has yielded a great deal of information on certain cancers, particularly breast and ovarian cancer, melanoma and medulloblastoma (a type of brain tumor),” Dr. Benveniste says.
The Cancer Cell Biology Program focuses on two specific areas: tumor-host interaction and signal-transduction cascades, which are the pathways used in cell signaling. Dr. Benveniste explains, “Signal-transduction cascades are the checks and balances of the cell. In a normal cell, they activate and cut off the pathways that signal different cell functions.
“In a cancer cell, these pathways are misused. The cells are signaled to grow and divide by something other than the signal-transduction cascades, and they are unable to stop. It’s like a car that has lost its brakes. In some ways it is incredibly simple, but it is actually an extremely complex process.”
The Future of Basic Science
One of Dr. Benveniste’s goals is to establish a zebrafish facility at the Cancer Center. Zebrafish have become an important cancer research tool in recent years because they are surprisingly similar to humans.
“Zebrafish have genes that are very comparable to ours,” Dr. Benveniste says. “They also have similar immune response, cell types and signal-transduction cascades.” As a result, scientists can easily create genetic mutations that cause zebrafish to develop human diseases such as cancer.
Because zebrafish are transparent, scientists are also able to observe their development in real-time fashion with just a microscope. “That’s a huge advantage of using this organism,” Dr. Benveniste says. “Since we can observe them microscopically, we can study tumor genesis in great detail, as well as screen them for drug discoveries. There’s a great deal of opportunity there.”
Dr. Benveniste hopes to bring zebrafish research to UAB in the next year, but in the meantime she is working to strengthen partnerships among Cancer Center faculty members. “We want investigators to partner—so that developmental biologists and physicians treating patients share information and exchange ideas,” she says. “That will help us move these findings to the place where they will ultimately make the biggest difference: the patient’s bedside.”
Courage Companions: Survivors Provide Solace and Strength
It is hard to imagine the impact cancer diagnoses have on people’s lives without having walked in their shoes. If you haven’t heard the words, “You have cancer,” it’s tough to know exactly what patients are feeling beyond uncertainty and a desperate need for hope. Cancer is a personal journey that leads through multiple areas of a patient’s life—aspects that extend far beyond physical well-being. While new cancer research, treatments and surgeries are often publicized, the emotional aspect of a cancer diagnosis is rarely discussed; however, this emotional battle can be one of the most difficult challenges in fighting the disease.
The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center emphasizes the importance of treating the whole patient—both physically and mentally. The frightening words of a cancer diagnosis often cause individuals to feel isolated and disconnected from even their closest loved ones. Without appropriate emotional support, the physical battle against cancer can be much more strenuous and difficult to win.
Finding Help for the Fight
In 2005, Tuscaloosa resident James Estes was diagnosed with lung cancer and began treatment at UAB. Having lost his wife to ovarian cancer just a few years before, he was unsure where to turn for help. He looked for local support services but was unable to find the one-on-one companionship he needed.
After searching the Internet, Mr. Estes discovered Cancare, a nonprofit organization based in Houston that matches patients with volunteers to provide long-term emotional support. “It was incredibly beneficial to talk to someone who had walked in my shoes—someone who could answer the small, personal questions that a doctor may not have time to address,” he says. After Mr. Estes completed his treatment, the overwhelmingly helpful support he received from his Cancare volunteer inspired him to take action in Alabama.
As a longtime friend and supporter of the Cancer Center, Mr. Estes approached key officials with the idea of starting a patient support service at UAB similar to Cancare. “The type of program he proposed aligned perfectly with our goals for complete patient care,” says Edward Partridge, M.D., Cancer Center interim director. With Mr. Estes’s passion and generous gift, the new “Courage Companions” launched in May of this year.
Answering Questions, Addressing Fears
Courage Companions assists patients and caregivers through confidential, one-on-one emotional support that lasts throughout their cancer journeys. “Patients and caregivers are provided with insight and support from some of the most understanding and compassionate sources—people who have been through the same thing,” says Katie Walls, who is coordinating the program for the Cancer Center. “These individuals have the opportunity to receive unique encouragement and advice throughout all stages of their diagnosis, treatment and survival.”
The unique patient/caregiver-volunteer relationship enables participants to talk freely, to share concerns and express fears without feeling they are hurting or overburdening their loved ones. “Courage Companions volunteers are able to answer personal, everyday questions relating to a variety of topics, such as ‘How can I cope if I have small children at home?’ or “What do the side effects of chemo feel like?’” Ms. Walls says.
The extent of the one-on-one relationship is up to the Courage Companions pair. For some patients, Courage Companions is their only source of support. Others choose to use the program as a way to avoid “burdening” their families with personal questions that they often cannot answer. Some patients only want a single question answered, while others build long-lasting relationships with their volunteers. While the program is in its initial stages, volunteers provide all support through phone and/or e-mail communication; the Cancer Center hopes to eventually attract enough survivors for face-to-face support.
“Courage Companions volunteers have a strong desire to help others who are battling the disease they have survived, and they believe that as survivors they have a unique understanding of the cancer experience,” says Ms. Walls. All volunteers must have been touched by cancer and complete an extensive training course, which covers a variety of areas including listening skills, basic emotional counseling and community resources. As a result, these individuals are prepared to help patients and caregivers cope with the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of living with the disease.
Courage Companions is free of charge and open to anyone battling cancer. Matches are based on diagnosis, age, gender, family status and other attributes; careful consideration goes into matching a patient with the volunteer whose experiences make him or her the best fit.
While cancer is rarely an easy fight, Courage Companions is designed to help make the journey as comfortable as possible. “Courage Companions is a big step in the right direction for the Cancer Center,” says Dr. Partridge. “The focus on providing complete cancer care will truly impact the experience patients have in their battles against cancer.”
Become a Companion
It is easy to get involved with Courage Companions. Applications for patients, caregivers and survivors are available on the Cancer Center’s Web site and in the hematology/oncology clinic at The Kirklin Clinic®. Or call (205) 934-1603 for an application or more information.
