The CPDR mission is fulfilled primarily through its three principal programs – the Clinical Research Program, the Basic Science Research Program and the Multicenter National Prostate Cancer Database – and through a robust education and training program that operates out of its Headquarters location, the Clinical Research Center, and the original laboratories at USUHS. CPDR is also committed to patient outreach, primarily through its affiliation with the WRAMC US TOO! organization and through a heavy schedule of health fairs in which it participates.

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CPDR Guest Speaker Seminar

Vasyl Vasko, M.D., Ph.D.
Visiting Scientist
Department of Pediatrics, USUHS

February 3, 2010
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
CPDR, Rockville, MD

Presenting: "Human Herpes Simplex Viruses In Benign And Malignant Thyroid Tumors"

Introduction: There is limited information about the role of herpesviridae viruses in thyroid cancer.

Materials and Methods: Thyroid tissues from 109 patients with benign (44) and malignant (65) lesions were analyzed for HSV1 and HSV2 DNA. Confirmatory studies included direct sequencing, analysis of viral gene expression and activation of viral-inducible signaling pathways. Expression of viral entry receptor Nectin-1 was examined in human samples and in cancer cell lines. In vitro experiments were performed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying thyroid cancer cell susceptibility to HSV.

Results: HSV DNA was detected in 43/109 (39.4%) of examined samples. HSV capsid protein expression correlated with HSV DNA status. HSV positive tumors were characterized by activation of virus-inducible signaling such as interferon-beta expression, nuclear NFkB expression and Akt activation. Lymphocytes infiltration and oncocytic cellular features were common in HSV positive tumors. HSV1 was detected with same frequency in benign and malignant thyroid tumors. HSV2 was significantly associated with papillary thyroid cancer and presence of lymph nodes metastases. The expression of HSV entry receptor Nectin-1 was increased in thyroid tumors compared to normal thyroid tissue and further increased in papillary thyroid cancer. Nectin-1 expression was detected in all examined thyroid cancer cell lines. Nectin-1 expression in cancer cells correlated with their susceptibility to HSV. Inhibition of PI3K/AKT or MAPK/ERK signaling did not affect the level of Nectin-1 expression but decreased thyroid cancer cell susceptibility to HSV. Conclusion. HSV is associated with thyroid tumorogenesis. During tumor progression, thyroid cells acquire increased susceptibility to HSV due to increased expression of viral entry mediator Nectin-1 and activation of mitogenic signaling in cancer cells.

Summer Internship Program Immerses Minority Students in Prostate Cancer Research

November 9, 2009

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) Center for Prostate Disease Research (CPDR) played host recently to seven students from the University of the District of Columbia for a rigorous twelve-week training internship focused on prostate cancer research. The internship was established jointly by the CPDR, which is part of USU’s Department of Surgery, and the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) in 2008 ...

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National Capital Region Joint Forces Commander Recognizes CPDR

Discusses Health Scare

September 25, 2009

Men and women who wear a general’s star on their uniform may appear invincible, especially to the Soldiers under their command, but they are far from it. Just ask Brig. Gen. Karl R. Horst, commanding general, Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and Military District of Washington.

Six months ago, he was involved in a struggle for his life. It was February when Horst went in for a routine physical and his doctor called him to let him know that some numbers were elevated. On March 13, he was given the diagnosis: prostate cancer.

Horst was treated by Col. (Ret.) David G. McLeod M.D., director at the Center of Prostate Research at Walter Reed. He treated Horst as he has treated hundreds of men and women in the 35 years he has been part of the Army Medical Department.

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USU’s Center for Prostate Disease Research Provides New Insights Into Common Alterations of ERG Oncogene in Prostate Cancer

BETHESDA, Md. — In the past three years, ground-breaking discoveries in the prostate cancer field have highlighted that alterations of ETS related genes (predominantly ERG), as a result of a fusion between male hormone receptor regulated gene promoters (predominantly TMPRSS2) and ETS transcription factors, represent one of the most common oncogenic defects in prostate cancer. Researchers at the Center for Prostate Disease Research (CPDR) at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) had originally shown frequent overexpression (60-70%) of the ETS related gene ERG in the epithelial cell transcriptome of prostate cancers. In their continued quest to understand thefunctional role and clinical utility of ERG alterations in prostate cancer, CPDR researchers have now defined new features of ERG function and expression which will further enhance the potential of ERG as promising biomarker and therapeutic target for prostate cancer.

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