SUMC in the News (10/21/05)

Press release

Stanford study reveals protein's Jekyll-and-Hyde role in cancer growth
Researchers at Stanford have discovered that the protein menin plays a key role in the development of some forms of acute leukemia.

Print media coverage

CNN.com, 10/21/05
FDA approves first brain stem cell transplant
The FDA has approved the first transplant of fetal stem cells into human brains. Stanford doctors helped develop the protocol for the trial in children with Batten's disease. The protocol still must be approved by Stanford's Institutional Review Board. This Associated Press article appears on ABCNews.com, Forbes.com and in several newspapers across the country, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Baltimore Sun, Dallas Morning News, New York Times, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Sacramento Bee, Salt Lake City Deseret News, Salt Lake City Tribune, Seattle Times and USA Today. An article was also prepared by the Wall Street Journal. Gregory Enns, assistant professor of pediatrics and director of the Biochemical Genetics Program, and Stephen Huhn, associate professor of neurosurgery and by courtesy, associate professor of pediatrics, are quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle and San Jose Mercury News.

HealthDay, 10/21/05
Jekyll-Hyde protein may contribute to leukemia
This article discusses the cancer protein. Michael Cleary, the Lindhard Family Professor in Pediatric Cancer Biology, is quoted here.

Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/21/05
Don't let critics impede research on stem cells (registration required)
In this opinion piece, David Magnus expresses his concerns about two recent Nature papers on alternative approaches to embryonic stem cell research. Magnus is the director of the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics.

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 10/21/05
Good for the heart, good for the prostate?
New research suggests that the risk of prostate cancer may be reduced by taking common drugs such as statins or aspirin. David Feldman, professor of medicine, is quoted in this article, which originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.

Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, Mo.), 10/21/05
CyberKnife draws bead on tumors
This article discusses the usage of the CyberKnife, a tool used to treat patients with certain types of tumors. The technique was developed by John Adler, professor of neurosurgery, and by courtesy, of radiation oncology.

Casper News Tribune (Casper, Wy.), 10/21/05
Play dead: Dog diagnosed with narcolepsy
This article references a Stanford study that identified the gene responsible for narcolepsy in dogs.

Philippine Inquirer, 10/21/05
It's in the genes (No online version available)
James Ford, assistant professor of medicine and of genetics, discusses gene testing and breast cancer in this article.

Knoxville News-Sentinel (Knoxville, Tenn.), 10/19/05
Adult stem cells provide new life for livers
The work of Irving Weissman, the Virginia and DK Ludwig Professor for Clinical Investigation, is referenced in this editorial on stem cells and livers. The piece also appears in the Wichita Falls Times Record News (Wichita Falls, Texas).

Broadcast media coverage

CNN Headline News, 10/20/05
This segment discussed the FDA approval of the Batten's disease trial. The story also aired on KGO-TV, KXXV-TV (Waco, Texas), XETV-TV (San Diego), WSET-TV ( Roanoke, Va.), WMTW-TV (Portland), KCBS-TV (Los Angeles) and KWGN-TV (Denver).