CLEVELAND – A $2 million gift from Linda and Les Vinney will accelerate University Hospitals (UH) Case Medical Center’s national leadership in cancer genetics. Named in recognition of the couple’s exceptional generosity, the Linda and Les Vinney Biorepository and Genomics Facility will play a key role in advancing genomic knowledge and hastening important discoveries and new cancer therapies.
“Cancer genetics is a rapidly exploding field. This newly established, state-of-the-art biorepository will fuel the development of novel genetic screening tests, critical in the identification of cancer-causing genetic changes and help us devise precise and effective treatments,” says Stan Gerson, MD, Director, UH Seidman Cancer Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. “The gift will also support program activities in informatics, biostatistics and cancer genetic counseling, which is critical for families with multiple cancers, giving hope to patients diagnosed with cancer now, and for generations to come."
By enhancing the ability to code, store and analyze biological specimens, the new Vinney Biorepository will increase the capability of UH Case Medical Center physician-scientists to collect and study tissue samples, critical steps in cancer research. Thousands of samples will be stored and coded in the Vinney Biorepository each year, which will lead to an acceleration of genetic research in four specific cancer areas for which UH is an international leader: colorectal, brain, breast and esophageal. It will be an important resource as UH opens the new UH Seidman Cancer Center, Northeast Ohio’s first freestanding cancer hospital which provides the most advanced diagnostics and treatments available, including access to over 300 clinical trials.
Mrs. Vinney, a retired genetic counselor, and Mr. Vinney, a retired business executive, have been longtime advocates for the importance of medical innovation and compassionate genetic counseling. “We believe strongly in the Seidman Cancer Center’s commitment to finding a cure for cancer,” says Mr. Vinney. “Advances in cancer genetics will lead to better understanding of risk factors, early diagnosis through genetic testing, and powerful and personalized cures. We are honored to support University Hospitals’ physician-scientists and their tireless efforts to make the next major discovery in cancer genetics.”
Mr. Vinney is retired president and CEO of STERIS Corporation, a leading provider of infection prevention and surgical products and services for the health care, pharmaceutical and research markets. Previously, he was senior vice president and CFO at Goodrich Corporation. Mr. Vinney serves on the UH Board of Directors, along with the Boards of Campbell Soup Company, Patterson Companies, NDI Medical, and Cleveland HeartLab, and has served as chairman of NorTech (Northeast Ohio Technology Coalition) and Team NEO, and as a board member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, and AdvaMed (Advanced Medical Device Association).
Mrs. Vinney, a certified genetic counselor, held positions at Akron Children’s Hospital and Morristown Memorial Hospital in New Jersey. A graduate of the masters program in Human Genetics at Sarah Lawrence College, she is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors.
In the last three years, through key recruitments and a commitment to cutting-edge research, UH Seidman Cancer Center has established itself as a leader in cancer genetics. UH Seidman Cancer Center physician-researchers, who are also faculty at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, have been involved in many important breakthroughs in cancer genetics including:
· Colorectal Cancer – The laboratory of Sanford Markowitz, MD, has isolated 16 genes related to colorectal cancer and identified the first genetic marker for colorectal cancer diagnosis. In 2008, the team published the first large linkage study in the country using information and bio-specimens from families with colorectal cancer and colon polyps. Upon review of a whole genome scan of all chromosome pairs in nearly 200 families, the researchers identified additional colorectal cancer gene regions. The laboratory is currently among the world leaders in identifying genetic markers for colorectal cancer. Dr. Markowitz is an oncologist with UH Seidman Cancer Center and Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
· Brain Cancer – The future of brain tumor treatments is currently being led by physician-scientist team Andrew Sloan, MD, Peter D. Cristal Chair in Neurosurgery, Director of the UH Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center and Associate Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and his wife Jill Barnholtz-Sloan, PhD, Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Dr. Sloan is the principal investigator for several brain tumor vaccines at UH to prevent recurrences of glioblastoma, the most common and virulent brain cancers. One study showed that half the patients receiving the vaccine survived for more than 30 months after treatment, compared to survival following standard treatment averaging less than a year. In addition, the team is a primary partner in the National Cancer Institute-funded Cancer Genome Atlas Project to fully molecular characterize 20 different cancer types including brain tumors, as well as the international GLIOGENE consortium to collect and analyze familial and genetic causes of malignant brain tumors.
· Breast Cancer –UH Seidman Cancer Center physician-scientists are on the cutting-edge of identifying genes, protein networks, and the role of the immune system in breast cancer in order to advance targeted treatments. For example, a new vaccine developed by Joseph Baar, MD, Director of Breast Cancer Research at UH Seidman Cancer Center and Associate Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, is being studied to determine if it may help prevent the recurrence of triple-negative breast tumors, which are highly aggressive and do not benefit from common therapies.
· Esophageal Cancer – The first team in the world to find identify genetic susceptibility to esophageal cancer, Amitabh Chak, MD, gastroenterologist at UH Case Medical Center and Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and colleagues are currently tracking families with Barrett's esophagus, a pre-cancerous change in the cells lining the lower esophagus most often due to reflux disease. With 180 members participating, as well as other families with similar case histories, the team has found that Barrett's and esophageal cancer occur at a younger age in these families suggesting that Barrett's is a genetically inherited disease. Continued research will help lead to preventive care and new genetically targeted therapies.
“The Vinney Biorepository will accelerate the exciting work already underway at University Hospitals Case Medical Center,” says Shawn McCandless, MD, Director of the Center for Human Genetics at UH Case Medical Center and Associate Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. “This powerful new technology will enable our physician-scientists to link clinical information to underlying genetic and genomic changes in the tumor. Through the increased capability to collect, store and analyze a variety of tissue samples over time, we will be empowered to bring the knowledge gained back to the patients and their families both to enhance their care and to enhance our ability to predict inherited risk factors for cancer.”