Building an innovative cancer research project takes time, creativity, and most importantly, a team of scientists working together on why a new way to treat cancer or keep the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. When it comes to bringing home victory for Augusta University’s various athletics programs, teamwork defines success on the field of competition. Together, cancer researchers and Augusta University student athletes are “Here to win.” when it comes to bringing awareness to cancer prevention and early detection.

“Cancer is complicated, but the goal of our Georgia Cancer Center is not,” said Jorge E. Cortes, MD, director of the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University. “Each member of our Cancer Center clinical and research programs may have a different way of attacking cancer’s growth and spread in the body, but everyone is fully committed, and they are all united in the desire to eradicate cancer. It is that level of attention to the burden that cancer represents that gives me hope of finding new treatment options, new screening opportunities, new avenues for prevention. We will win this battle.”

The ”Here to win.” campaign was developed as a partnership between the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University Athletics with help from the team at Wier/Stewart, a marketing agency headquartered in Augusta, Georgia. Georgia has a disproportionate number of cancer diagnoses with poor outcomes but through its dedication to serving minority and underserved populations, the Georgia Cancer Center is the state leader making progress to change this statistic by providing industry-leading cancer research and care that benefits patients locally and globally.

“The work the laboratory scientists are doing at the Georgia Cancer Center is absolutely amazing, you can feel the passion and enthusiasm these researchers have for finding a way to beat cancer,” said Ryan Erlacher, director of Augusta University’s Athletics program. “They know they have a big task at hand because every cancer can behave differently. But they are determined to be vigilant and collaborative in their approach to each research project. It is this collaborative spirit that excites our coaches and staff about all the ways we can work together.”

To kick off the “Here to win.” campaign, Augusta University’s Women’s Volleyball team will host their “Pink Out” Match this Friday, October 6, 2023, inside Christenberry Fieldhouse. The ladies welcome Francis Marion to town with the match getting underway at 6 p.m. All fans are encouraged to wear pink to the match. There will be opportunities for everyone to make a donation to assist in the battle against cancer. And all proceeds go directly to the Cancer Center. In addition, fans can make a solid donation or pledge an amount to donate per every Jaguar volleyball dig. For every dig the Jaguar volleyball team has in the match, money will be given directly back to the Cancer Center. And the Georgia Cancer Center will have an educational display to provide information on promoting health, preventing cancer, and obtaining screening or cancer risk reduction services.

“If you think our volleyball student-athletes get after it in competition, you should see Georgia Cancer Center's worldclass team of groundbreaking, on-site researchers,” Erlacher said. “Just like the Volleyball team, they're leaving everything on the court to help win the battle against cancer.”

Admission is $5 for adults aged 17 and over. Admission is free for patrons aged 16 and under, AU students and staff with valid ID, First Responders, Military, and senior citizens. Cancer patients and survivors, please RSVP to Mason Grounds at mground@augusta.edu for free admission.

“Please, come out to support the Women’s Volleyball team and our Georgia Cancer Center,” Cortes said. “Partnerships like this one can increase access to education and cancer screenings, which can be extremely valuable for finding cancer sooner in a stage where there are more treatment opportunities available to patients.”

About the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University

The Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University is dedicated to reducing the burden of cancer in Georgia and across the globe through superior care, innovation, and education. Through unprecedented expansion, the Georgia Cancer Center is providing access to more first-in-the-nation clinical trials, world-renowned experts, and life-saving options. For more information, you can visit 

Articles

Building an innovative cancer research project takes time, creativity, and most importantly, a team of scientists working together on why a new way to treat cancer or keep the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body.

Cancer Researchers and Student Athletes Are “Here to Win” for Innovation, Discovery, and Hope

 Pharmacogenomics Program (CaPP) has launched its pharmacogenomics testing services for Georgia Cancer Center patients and oncologists. Pharmacogenomics employs genetic sequence alterations in drug metabolism genes to predict toxicity. 

These genetic tests are done to measure changes in genes that make proteins that metabolize common chemotherapy drugs. If a patient has a mutation in these genes, their metabolism will not handle the drug properly. This may cause the patient to become sick.

The program is co-led by Dr. Katherine Saunders-Wohlfrom in Oncology Pharmacy and Dr. 

“These tests can help people avoid severe toxicity from chemotherapy. We want to optimize treatment for patients who need a lower dose when they have any gene mutation,” said Henson.

The initial focus will be on patients with gastrointestinal cancers, in conjunction with Dr. 

. Henson said this is where the biggest impact will come right away, and other service lines including breast cancer will benefit as more testing is done.

“This is a valuable message to the community,” said Henson. “CaPP services will include testing support, report interpretation, document management, clinician consultation and patient and family consultation.”

Henson also pointed out the help of Dr. Brandy D. Gunsolus in Clinical Laboratory Science was instrumental in developing the order process.

The Georgia Cancer Center Pharmacogenomics Program has launched its pharmacogenomics testing services for Georgia Cancer Center patients and oncologists. 

GCC’s Pharmacogenomics Program May Help Reduce Side Effects from Chemotherapy for Some Patients

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a cancer that affects blood cells in the bone marrow- the spongy tissue inside certain bones where new blood cells are made.

In AML patients, the bone marrow makes abnormal blood cells, which grow and divide too quickly and do not mature properly. When the abnormal cells crowd out the healthy blood cells, it can lead to infection, anemia and easy bleeding. They can also spread outside the blood to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, liver, spleen and central nervous system.

While treatments such as chemotherapy can be given to a patient with AML, if the cancer relapses, their chance of survival decreases due to the limited treatment options for relapsed AML patients. A new $2.3 million grant from the National Cancer Institute is giving the Georgia Cancer Center the opportunity to understand how those cancer cells resist primary treatment and propose new treatment options that may improve patient survival.

“Acute leukemia types, including acute myeloid leukemia, account for around 4% of all cancer deaths worldwide and 6% of cancer deaths in America,” said 

 at Augusta University. “AML is the second most common type of diagnosed leukemia in children and adults.”

With this multi-investigator grant, Mivechi, along with her co-principal investigator, 

, MD/PhD, will focus on understanding the role of heat shock transcription factors (HSFs), particularly HSF1 in acute myeloid leukemia. The protein HSF1 attaches to a specific DNA sequence inside a cancer cell during the replication process to allow the cell to make more of itself. If HSF1 is removed, cancer cells cannot replicate and will die off.

“Interestingly, our recent studies unveiled a highly novel and clinically significant role for HSF1 inhibition in metabolic reprogramming and enhancement of anti-tumor T cell immunity,” Mivechi said.

, director of the Georgia Cancer Center, and an internationally renowned physician for treating patients with AML, to receive blood cell samples from patients he works with,” Moskofidis said. “Our previous research projects to understand how HSFs work focuses largely on using mouse models and samples of other types of tumor cells. This is because HSFs have been shown to play a role in the replication process of many different types of tumors, not just acute myeloid leukemia.”

 at MCG and also a member of the Cancer Center’s Molecular Oncology and Biomarkers research program.

With the project, the collaborative team will investigate whether a valid approach for therapeutic interventions in acute myeloid leukemia can be based on a strategy to inhibit supportive non-oncogene addiction pathways, interfering with tumor-promoting metabolic reprogramming and improving the predicted power of anti-tumor immunity through depletion of HSF1 activity. This effort may help to find new ways to overcome key existing barriers in refractory AML management.

Acute myeloid leukemia is a cancer that affects blood cells in the bone marrow- the spongy tissue inside certain bones where new blood cells are made.

Georgia Cancer Center Awarded $2.3 Million Grant for Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research to Improve Patient Survival

Anand P. Jillella, MD, of the Georgia Cancer Center at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University has been selected as one of 20 Georgia “Trailblazers” in cancer care by the Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education. Georgia CORE is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and with this milestone the nonprofit is honoring members of Georgia’s oncology community, state leaders, scientists, and philanthropists for their part in creating the collaborative system of cancer care we have in Georgia.

“We are extremely grateful for Dr. Anand Jillella for helping to create the foundation for this organization,” said Georgia CORE president and CEO Lynn Durham. “We honor each of the Trailblazers for playing a pivotal role through research, education, or advocacy in creating and sustaining Georgia’s innovative, collaborative, and cancer patient-centered ecosystem.”

Jillella will be recognized at gala on February 18 in Atlanta. He serves as the J. Harold Harrison MD Chair for Medical Oncology at the Medical College of Georgia and Georgia Cancer Center. Jillella is the founding director of the Cancer Center’s adult stem cell and bone marrow transplant program and served as chief of the MCG Section of Hematology/Oncology from 2005-13, when he was named associate director for Community Affairs and Outreach at Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University. Jillella is a member of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Myeloma and Leukemia Committees and the ECOG/ACRIN Advisory Board for National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program centers. ECOG/ACRIN is a scientific organization that designs and conducts cancer research involving adults who have or are at risk of developing cancer. His clinical focus is bone marrow transplantation for leukemia, multiple myeloma and other blood-related malignancies.

“Georgia has a disproportionate number of cancer diagnoses with poor outcomes but through its dedication to serving minority and underserved populations, the Georgia Cancer Center is the state leader making progress to change this statistic,” Jillella said. “My colleagues and I are passionate, dedicated and determined to work with rural and underserved communities across the state to make sure they have access to the current standards of care, as well as the newest clinical trials. This is why partnerships like we have with Georgia CORE are so vital to our goal. I am humbled and honored to be selected for this achievement and will use it as a reminder of the work we do to increase access to education, screenings, and equal treatment for all Georgians.”

Also being recognized during the gala are those selected as “Today’s Innovators” in cancer care. The Georgia Cancer Center has three faculty members receiving this honor including Dr. Jorge Cortes, director of the Georgia Cancer Center, Dr. Sharad Ghamande, associate director for clinical research at the Cancer Center, and Dr. John Henson, director of the Cancer Center’s Hereditary Cancer Clinic and a neuro-medical oncologist.

To distinguish Trailblazers and Innovators, Trailblazers are people who, from the establishment of the Georgia Cancer Coalition and Georgia CORE, played a pivotal role through research, education, or advocacy in creating and sustaining Georgia’s innovative, collaborative, and patient-centered cancer ecosystem, and/or people who were a major force behind Georgia CORE’s statewide impact. And Innovators embraced the original vision of collaboration and advancement throughout the state’s cancer ecosystem and are working today to continue to enhance cancer research and exceptional care for all Georgians.

Anand P. Jillella, MD, has been selected as one of 20 Georgia “Trailblazers” in cancer care by the Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education.

Dr. Anand P. Jillella of Georgia Cancer Center Named a Cancer Care “Trailblazer”

While people living in smaller, more rural towns in Georgia may have been able to visit their primary care provider on a regular basis, they may not have a choice for specialized care when that family doctor delivers the news, “You have cancer.” And numerous research studies have shown just how vital access to cancer care closer to home can be in giving someone a better chance at surviving their cancer. This is why multiple teams working inside the Georgia Cancer Center at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University are committed to closing care gaps across Georgia.

“Although we have made tremendous advances in the way we treat cancer which has led to improved survivability for cancer patients, not every population across Georgia, the United States, and really the world is experiencing these same opportunities,” said Jorge Cortes, MD, director of the Georgia Cancer Center. “There are large populations that do not have the same access to cancer screening for early detection, to prevention strategies, to clinical trials testing new treatment options, or to advanced care methods in their own backyard.”

This desire to make cancer prevention and quality cancer treatment available to communities in need, to close the cancer care gap, is shared by cancer care organizations and communities across the globe and is the theme for World Cancer Day 2023. World Cancer Day, created on February 4, 2000, at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris, is an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). In addition to adoption of World Cancer Day, the Paris Charter “aims to promote research, prevent cancer, improve patient services, raise awareness and mobilize the global community to make progress against cancer.” “Close the Care Gap” addresses barriers to prevention and promotes access to cancer risk reduction resources and services.

“Leaving a large group of the population behind in our great research, in our great advances, in our great discoveries, in our improved care options, in our improved survival rates does not really serve a good purpose,” Cortes said. “Everyone should be able to benefit from services and resources that can help them lower their risk for cancer, prevent it, detect it early, or treat cancer more effectively, so that their chances of survival improve.”

While the Georgia Cancer Center leadership and employees want to see the gap between those who survive cancer and those who do not survive the disease disappear, it is also important for people living in communities where there may be little to no access to cancer care to be proactive in talking with their primary care doctors and community leaders about building partnerships with the Cancer Center. A number of our oncologists are already spending time working in cities across Georgia during any given month, so patients do not have to drive hours to Augusta, Georgia, for their appointment. There are many ways to lessen cancer’s impact on communities and help close the cancer gap.

“Knowing your family health history also allows you to take steps to reduce your cancer risks,” said Maryclaire Regan, community program coordinator with the Cancer Information and Awareness Program at the Georgia Cancer Center. “For example, if there’s a family history of cancer, your health care provider might recommend earlier and more frequent screenings. If you know you have a higher risk of heart disease or diabetes based on your family history, you may choose to make lifestyle changes such as adopting healthier eating habits and getting more exercise to help reduce your risk.”

My Family Health Portrait is an online tool that can help you record and organize your family health history so that you can share the information with other family members and with your health care provider.

Another opportunity to catch cancer early is for women and men to talk with their primary care providers about scheduling screenings for breast, cervical, prostate, colorectal, lung, and skin cancer. For example, a screening mammogram helps detect breast cancer early and can save lives. Augusta University Health’s Breast Health Center offers three-dimensional breast screening on weekdays, and also on Saturday mornings during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Another way of closing the cancer care gap and to finding cancer early is to bring cancer screening to rural areas. “Right now, we [the Cancer Center] are working with an organization to build and outfit what is essentially a mobile bus that will be split into two sections for screening,” Cortes said. “One section will provide women with mobile mammography, while the other section will allow providers to complete Pap smears, which are an important tool in detecting changes to a woman’s cervix that can lead to cervical cancer. And once it is completed and ready to roll, this bus will travel to different parts of Georgia bringing breast and cervical cancer screenings directly to people living in cities and towns where there are no screening opportunities currently.”

Before the introduction of screenings, cervical cancer was one of the deadliest forms of cancer for women living in America. But, over the years that number has dropped significantly due to the use of Pap smears as well as a vaccine to protect boys and girls from getting the human papillomavirus, or HPV. HPV, a sexually transmitted virus, is the leading cause of cervical cancer in women.

Education and training to help meet community needs

The Georgia Cancer Center, as well as all Augusta University Health employees are taking steps to close the care gap by learning community engagement strategies designed to reduce bias in the way they approach patient cases. Also, through a Community Health Needs Assessment, Cancer Center leadership can decide the types of programs communities’ need to reduce their cancer risk factors, as well as improve their overall physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

“Another important step in addressing the care gap is to help reduce racial disparities in access to prevention/risk-reduction education, screening, and care,” Regan said. “Our team reaches out to the African American community, and to seniors, for example. Another is to address providers’ and health systems’ bias. Closing the care gap means these providers need to approach each patient’s case with the same care and concern no matter the color of their skin or where they are living.”

In the past, Cancer Centers and large medical enterprises wanted cancer patients to come to them for the best care, the best treatment options, and lots of resources. But now that paradigm is beginning to shift as leadership looks at ways to take those same resources, screening tools, and treatment plans to the towns and rural areas where people live and work. And, Cortes, Regan, and all those working on community outreach at the Georgia Cancer Center, and others across the globe believe we will truly start to see that care gap narrow.

Multiple teams working inside the Georgia Cancer Center at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University are committed to closing care gaps across Georgia.


Bringing Cancer Treatment Opportunities to Communities Across Georgia Where Care May Not Be Available

You have gone through the treatments and beaten prostate cancer — finally, you are in the clear — but are you, truly? Cardiovascular diseases are the follow-up threats many men face after undergoing androgen deprivation therapy, also known as hormonal treatment, for prostate cancer.

“When patients get put on androgen deprivation therapy, a commonly used treatment for prostate cancer, they tend to age faster,” said 

, MBBS, the director of cardio-oncology at the 

Age is one of the strongest predictors of cardiovascular disease. This concern is greater for non-Hispanic Black men, who are already at a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases than non-Hispanic white men.

Guha’s research will not only focus on hormonal therapy increasing the aging process, but also if non-medical factors, such as access to health care and quality education, social relationships and the patient’s financial situation and where they live, can also cause an increase in aging. The Department of Defense has awarded Guha with a $1.1 million budget over the course of four years for his study.

“There are racial disparities in cardiovascular events in men with prostate cancer who tend to not die of prostate cancer but tend to die of heart disease most commonly. So my goal is to find a specific pathway through which we can explain the racial differences,” said Guha.

Guha plans to investigate the aging process and examine the role of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, the energy molecule in the body. Aging is associated with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, so it is a key role in his research. He believes that the molecule may be the reason why Black men age faster, when combined with hormonal treatment.

“My hope is that we not only get depth and expertise of different aging pathways, which might be responsible at various amounts based on the type of toxicity with anti-cancer agents, but also focus our research beyond prostate cancer at some point in time where we diversify our efforts across various cancers.”

To learn more about the cardio-oncology program, visit the 

 or call 706-721-0284 to make an appointment. To keep up with Guha’s work, visit the 

Cardiovascular diseases are the follow-up threats many men face after undergoing androgen deprivation therapy, also known as hormonal treatment, for prostate cancer.