The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) recently launched its Facebook page. This page contains the latest news, events and educational information from CINJ. You can access our page two ways to become a fan - go to www.cinj.org and click on the Facebook logo or go to www.facebook.com and search for "The Cancer Institute of New Jersey."

“Taking out the trash” takes on a whole new meaning, as investigators at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Rutgers University, have discovered that a waste disposal protein is the key to cancer tumor suppression in a process known as autophagy in which cancer cells eat themselves. Previous study from the lab of Eileen White, PhD, associate director for basic science at CINJ, and a number of other groups has shown that autophagy is a pathway to cancer tumor suppression, but scientists did not know the mechanism behind it, until now. The latest research, which appears in a recent edition of the journal, Cell, focuses on a protein known as p62, which is responsible for disposing of damaged proteins that accumulate in a cell when it is no longer receiving nourishment for growth. In order for cells to prevent themselves from becoming a cancer tumor, they need to rid themselves of this waste. The p62 protein packages the damaged materials and prepares them, along with itself, to be degraded through the autophagy process. Disruption in the process or disposal failure can promote tumor progression. Dr. White, who is an adjunct professor of surgery at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and a professor of molecular biology and biochemistry at Rutgers University, is the senior author of the research publication. “This discovery is important, because we now have an opportunity to look at people at risk for cancer before it develops,” she notes. “These latest findings show that p62 can act as a marker to identify certain cancers and that we can manipulate p62 levels to stimulate the process of autophagy and ultimately tumor suppression.” The team looked at both mouse models and human tissue samples from liver, lung and kidney tumors. White indicates there is evidence that controlling p62 levels also has implications in lymphoma and breast and prostate cancers.

Cycling enthusiasts, occasional riders and volunteers are being called upon to make a difference in the fight against cancer, during the fifth-annual Century for the Cure bicycle ride to benefit CINJ. Registration is now open for the one-day event, which takes place this year on September 12 at Camp Riverbend in Warren Township. Century for the Cure was the creation of Scott Glickman, who was treated at CINJ for stage four non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma more than a decade ago.  Since the ride’s inception in 2005, more than $310,000 has been raised for cutting-edge research in multiple disciplines at CINJ. For additional information or to register for the ride visit, www.centuryforthecure.com.

Experts from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey say that as the concept of “personalized medicine” gains momentum, the first step toward treating cancer and other diseases effectively will be recognition of genetic differences in individuals. It is that quest regarding the evolving areas of genetics and bioinformatics, which was the central focus of an annual public forum recently held as part of the Annual Retreat on Cancer Research in New Jersey, which is a joint venture between CINJ and the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR). A panel discussion featuring Kim Hirshfield, MD, PhD, medical oncologist at CINJ and assistant professor of medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; and CINJ Certified Genetic Counselor Jana Pruski-Clark, MPH, MS, highlighted how genetics can yield specific information pertaining to cancer risk, outcome, and treatment. Eric D. Perakslis, PhD, advisory board chair to CINJ’s Center for Cancer Survivorship and vice president of Research and Development Informatics at Centocor R&D, discussed how bioinformatics -- the marriage of math, science and computers -- will eventually lead to tailored treatments for individuals. Portions of the public forum will be made available at www.youtube.com/cancerinstnj this summer.