2011 Recipient
Andrew J. Dannenberg, M.D.
Henry R. Erle, M.D.-Roberts Family Professor of Medicine
Director, Weill Cornell Cancer Center
Weill Cornell Medical College
New York, NY
Dr. Andrew J. Dannenberg delivered his award lecture entitled, Obesity and Breast Inflammation: Implications for Cancer Prevention, at the 10th AACR Annual International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research on Sunday, October 23, 2011, 5:15 p.m.-6:15 p.m., at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, MA.
The Award and Lecture
AACR and the Prevent Cancer Foundation are pleased to co-sponsor this major international award in recognition of outstanding cancer prevention research. The AACR-Prevent Cancer Foundation Award for Excellence in Cancer Prevention Research is given to a scientist residing in any country in the world for his or her seminal contributions to the field of cancer prevention. Such investigations must have been conducted in basic, translational, clinical, epidemiological, or behavioral science in cancer prevention research. Further, these studies must have had not only a major impact on the field, but must also have stimulated new directions in this important area.
The recipient of the award will receive a $5,000 honorarium, present a 50-minute lecture at the 10th Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research. The conference will be held October 22-25, 2011, in the Boston, MA. Support will be given to the recipient and a guest to attend the conference.
Eligibility
- All cancer researchers who are affiliated with any institution involved in cancer research, cancer medicine, or cancer-related biomedical science anywhere in the world are eligible. Such institutions include those in academia, industry, or government.
- The award will be presented to an individual investigator.
- Institutions or organizations are not eligible for the award.
- Candidates must currently maintain an active research program, have a record of recent publications, and be able to present the award lecture at the conference.
Nomination Process
Nominations are closed.
Nominations may be made by any scientist, whether an AACR member or nonmember, who is now or has been affiliated with any institution involved in cancer research, cancer medicine, or cancer-related biomedical science. Candidates may not nominate themselves.
The following materials must be submitted:
Nomination Letter, which must:
- be addressed to the Selection Committee; be written in English; and not exceed 1,000 words;
- specify the AACR award for which the candidate is being nominated;
- describe the candidate's seminal contributions to the field of cancer prevention, with the publications supporting these accomplishments directly referenced within the letter.
Candidate's CV. The candidate's curriculum vitae in English, including a complete list of the candidate's publications.
Summary Statement. A statement, no more than 50 words, summarizing the candidate's research accomplishments for which he or she is being nominated.
Preferred file formats are *.doc. The candidate's CV may be submitted in a .pdf file. Your nomination is not considered fully submitted until you receive a confirmation e-mail from the AACR; confirmations will be sent within two business days.
Nominators are asked to maintain the confidentiality of the nomination process and to refrain from informing the candidate about the nomination.
There is no restriction on the number of candidates that may be nominated by any individual scientist. There is no restriction on the number of nominators that may write nomination letters or that may sign a single nomination letter on behalf of a candidate.
Nomination Instructions
Selection
Candidates will be considered by a committee of international cancer leaders appointed by the president of the AACR. After careful deliberation by the award committee, its recommendations will be forwarded to the Executive Committee of the AACR for final consideration and decision. Selection of the award winner will be made on the basis of the candidate's seminal contributions to the field of cancer prevention. No regard will be given to age, race, gender, nationality, geographic location, or religious or political views.
The Prevent Cancer Foundation
The Prevent Cancer Foundation is a national, non-profit health foundation with a single mission: the prevention and early detection of cancer through scientific research and education. The Foundation focuses its energies and resources on those cancers -- including lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, cervical, skin and testicular -- that can be prevented through lifestyle changes or early detection followed by prompt treatment. In addition to funding and recognizing excellence in research, the foundation's public education programs have provided lifesaving information about cancer to thousands of men, women and children. The Prevent Cancer Foundation has made major contributions to the ongoing programs of the AACR and, therefore, has been named a "Champion of the AACR."
Questions?
Linda Brooks-Stokes, Program Associate
linda.stokes@aacr.org
American Association for Cancer Research
17th Floor, 615 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106-4404
SPOTLIGHT
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2011 Recipient
Andrew J. Dannenberg, M.D.
Henry R. Erle, M.D.-Roberts Family Professor of Medicine
Director, Weill Cornell Cancer Center
Weill Cornell Medical College
New York, NY
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Dr. Andrew J. Dannenberg was recognized for his work on the inflammation-cancer connection with an emphasis on prostaglandin biology.
Dr. Dannenberg’s work has been of major importance in explaining why levels of procarcinogenic prostaglandins are increased in inflamed tissues and tumors. He has also made major contributions to our understanding of why nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) possess chemopreventive activity.
Dr. Dannenberg’s seminal contributions include demonstrating that COX-2 was over expressed in a variety of premalignant lesions and cancers; elucidating the mechanisms by which oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, carcinogens and tumor promoters regulate COX-2 gene expression; the utilization of both pharmacological and genetic strategies to establish the importance of targeting prostaglandin synthesis as a bona fide prevention strategy; defining the signal transduction pathways by which dietary and synthetic chemopreventive agents suppress COX-2 transcription and prostaglandin synthesis; and determining the signaling mechanism by which COX-derived prostaglandin E2 induced aromatase, the rate-limiting enzyme responsible for estrogen synthesis. This latter work led to an observational study in which the use of aspirin was associated with a reduced risk of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.
In his most recent work, Dr. Dannenberg has made a major discovery that provides new insights into the link between obesity, inflammation and breast cancer. In a preclinical study, Dr. Dannenberg utilized experimental models to demonstrate the presence of the obesity-inflammation-aromatase axis in the mammary gland. As a result, COX-2-derived PGE2 appeared to play an important role in inducing aromatase in the mammary glands of obese mice. Subsequently, he successfully translated these preclinical findings.
Dr. Dannenberg’s work on the inflammation-cancer connection over the past 15 years provided the basis for the transformative discovery linking obesity, inflammation and breast cancer.
Dr. Dannenberg currently serves as director of the Weill Cornell Cancer Center and director of cancer prevention at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. He is also the Henry R. Erle, M.D.-Roberts Family professor of medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Dr. Dannenberg received his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis and served as a medical resident and fellow at The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center.