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tology-oncology, is studying serious health problems such as heart separate $3.6 million CPRIT grant is enhancing computational
disease among long-term survivors. His research includes clinical biology to provide powerful statistical analyses to researchers
investigations with cancer survivors, as well as laboratory investiga- studying children’s cancers.
tions in which he has developed animal models of toxicity. Myron Ignatius, Ph.D., of the Greehey Institute and Department
Allison Grimes, M.D., pediatric hematology-oncology and Gree- of Molecular Medicine, has developed a genetic model of a type of
hey Institute, is addressing the issue of further protecting cancer soft tissue cancer called embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma that gener-
survivors from HPV-related second cancers. Cancer survivors are ally occurs in children. Our faculty all join me in congratulating Dr.
particularly vulnerable to these cancers. This project will be sup- Ignatius on being recognized this year by The Max and Minnie
ported by a $1 million grant from the Cancer Prevention and Re- Tomerlin Voelcker Fund with a Young Investigator Award.
search Institute of Texas (CPRIT). Leanne Embry, Ph.D., a child Lastly, Manjeet Rao, Ph.D., of the Greehey Institute and Depart-
psychologist in pediatric hematology-oncology, leads a National In- ment of Cell Systems and Anatomy, has conducted groundbreaking
stitutes of Health-funded study looking at the cognitive late effects work demonstrating that a micro RNA, the molecule MiR-584-5p,
that can result from intensive chemotherapy and radiation therapy. is able to kill medulloblastoma, the most common childhood brain
Of course, as you know, it is always basic research discoveries cancer. His team’s preclinical findings show that MiR-584-5p sensi-
that lead to new and more effective therapies becoming available. tizes the cancer to chemotherapy and radiation, making it plausible
Here at the health science center, our Greehey Children’s Cancer to treat the tumors with one-tenth the dose that is currently re-
Research Institute is the largest freestanding pediatric cancer re- quired. This work, which points to a way to improve the quality of
search facility in Texas and one of the few research institutes world- life of children treated for brain cancer, was published Oct. 31 in
wide devoted exclusively to childhood cancer. The Greehey Nature Communications.
Institute, led by Peter Houghton, Ph.D., of the Department of Mo- It is truly a privilege to be able to share this small part of the
lecular Medicine, is conducting a National Cancer Institute-funded proud body of work being undertaken here at UT Health San An-
project grant in childhood sarcomas that grow in bones, muscles, tonio. Our mission is to make lives better through excellence in ed-
tendons, cartilage and other anatomic features such as nerves. ucation, research and patient care, and through engagement with
A $5 million grant from CPRIT is enabling the Greehey Insti- the individuals, families and organizations of this region. Equally
tute to develop novel animal models of pediatric cancers. These important, we remain deeply grateful to all our esteemed partners
models, which focus on Hispanic children in Texas, will enhance in medicine who live and practice across our community and share
research in drug development and be made available freely to pe- in our commitment to serving patients and their families across
diatric cancer researchers statewide and beyond. Furthermore, a South Texas.

26 San Antonio Medicine • February 2019