Johns Hopkins Medicine
Office of Corporate Communications
Media Contact: Pierre F. Gantt
(410) 955-1287; ganttpi@jhmi.edu
June 7, 2004
JOHNS HOPKINS STEM CELL SCIENTIST RECEIVES TOP AWARD FROM NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH
The National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) has awarded its highest distinction to Curt Civin, M.D., for his pioneering stem cell research. The $250,000, five-year grant will allow Civin to expand his studies on how stem cells function to help improve bone marrow transplants for cancer patients.
“By learning how to stimulate the renewal process of the stem cell, we are learning how to produce a significant supply of donor stem cells for certain cancer patients who need bone marrow transplants. In addition, we are researching ways to genetically re-engineer the stem cells and the immune system of the cancer patient,” says Civin, the Herman and Walter Samuelson Professor of Oncology and co-director of immunology and hematopoiesis at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. In 1984, his breakthrough discovery of the CD34 lympho-hematopoietic stem cell antigen and monoclonal antibody revolutionized basic research and provided new treatment options in transplantation.
With this grant, Civin will be able to further his research on pinpointing the genes and molecules that trigger the stem cell self-renewal process, as well as developing mechanisms to program stem cells to accomplish specific tasks, such as reducing the threat that the transplanted stem cells will be rejected by the patient’s immune system or disabling the process by which stem cells sometimes become leukemic.
The National Foundation for Cancer Research, based in Bethesda, Md wasfounded in 1973 to support cancer research in the laboratory. By supporting the best ideas of the best minds, NFCR’s sponsored research at the cellular and molecular levels is leading to better prevention, earlier diagnosis, new treatments and eventually a cure of cancer.
The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center is one of the leading cancer research institutions in the country and the only one in Maryland designated by the National Cancer Institute as a comprehensive cancer center.
Related links:
www.hopkinskimmelcancercenter.org
www.nfcr.org
