Pilot Projects

Currently Funded Pilot Projects

The University of Iowa Cancer and Aging Program (CAP) has awarded one-year grants to support pilot research projects on cancer and aging. The following CAP Research Development Funding Initiative awards were effective September 1, 2007.

Supporting Family Members to Participate in Palliative Care and End-of-Life Decision-Making on Behalf of Nursing Home Residents with Cancer
Pilot Principal Investigator: Mercedes Bern-Klug, PhD, MSW, MA, School of Social Work

The Effects of Structured Written Emotional Expression on Promoting Health in Elderly Informal Family Caregivers of Persons with Cancer
Pilot Principal Investigator: Howard Butcher, RN, PhD, College of Nursing

Aging, obesity, prostate cancer progression: A preclinical model
Pilot Principal Investigator: Michael Henry, PhD, Department of Physiology

Investigating the Involvement of the FOXO-Regulated Stress Response Protein, Cyclin G2, on the Cell Cycle Exit Programs Induced by Oxidative Stress, Replicative Senescence and FOXO Activity
Pilot Principal Investigator: Mary Horne, PhD, Department of Pharmacology

Elucidation of the role of RPA4 in cell proliferation and aging
Pilot Principal Investigator: Marc Wold, PhD, Department of Biochemistry

Previously Funded Pilot Projects:

The University of Iowa Cancer and Aging Program (CAP) has awarded grants to support pilot research projects on cancer and aging, the titles and Pilot Principal Investigators are listed below. Additional information about the CAP Research Development Funding Initiative awards granted in 2005 and 2006 is available online at: 2005 Press Release, and 2006 Press Release.

The Effects of Delirium on Cerebral Integrity in Older Cancer Patients
Pilot Principal Investigator: Leigh Beglinger, PhD, Department of Psychiatry

Transcription factor AP-2 regulates Alzheimer’s disease associated amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene expression in neuroectoderm-derived cells: Implications for age-related dementia and squamous cell carcinoma
Pilot Principal Investigator: Frederick E. Domann, PhD, Department of Radiation Oncology

Novel Ubiquitin Ligases in Melanoma and Aging
Pilot Principal Investigator: Kevin A. Glenn, MD, Department of Internal Medicine

The Role of Telomere Shortening in Aging and Cancer
Pilot Principal Investigator: Al J. Klingelhutz, PhD, Department of Microbiology

Prostate Cancer and Alzheimer's disease: Age-related diseases that share abnormally phosphorylated tau protein
Pilot Principal Investigator: Gloria Lee, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine

Dendritic cells and graft vs. host disease in advanced age bone marrow transplant
Pilot Principal Investigator: Annette J. Schlueter, MD, PhD, Department of Pathology

Elderly Cancer Survivors: Cognitive Outcomes and Markers of Neurodegeneration
Pilot Principal Investigator: Susan K. Schultz, MD, Department of Psychiatry

Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Aging-Associated Cancer
Thematic Area: Biology of Aging and Cancer
Pilot Principal Investigator: Larry W. Oberley, PhD

Effect of Co-morbidity on Progression of Cancer-related Disability
Thematic Area: Effects of Co-morbidity
Pilot Principal Iinvestigator: Elizabeth Chrischilles, PhD

Effectiveness of Aggressive Treatments for Early Stage Prostate Cancer (ESPC): Analysis of Age- and Co-morbidity-specific Treatment Effectiveness
Pilot Principal Investigator: John Brooks, PhD, College of Pharmacy, Program in Pharmaceutical Socioeconomics

The Effects of Chemotherapy on Decision-Making in Older Colon Cancer Patients
Pilot Principal Investigator: Natalie Denburg, PhD, Department of Neurology

Transcription factor AP-2 regulates Alzheimer’s disease associated amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene expression in neuroectoderm-derived cells: implications for age-related dementia and squamous cell carcinoma
Pilot Principal Investigator: Frederick E. Domann, PhD, Department of Radiation Oncology

The Role of Telomere Shortening in Aging and Cancer
Pilot Principal Investigator: Al J. Klingelhutz, Ph.D., Department of Microbiology

A Phase II Trial of an Adenovirus Vaccine for Prostate Cancer: Effect of Age on Vaccine-Induced Immune Responses
Pilot Principal Investigator: David M. Lubaroff, PhD, Department of Urology

The Impact of a Premorbid Diagnosis of Dementia Upon The Patterns of Presentation and Treatment of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in Older Patients
Pilot Principal Investigator: Jose Ness, MD, Department of Internal Medicine

Logistic regression models for probability of colorectal cancer screening
Pilot Principal Investigator: Nancy Thompson, PhD, Department of Community and Behavioral Health

Health Literacy and Informed Consent Among Patients with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Pilot Principal Investigator: Jose Ness, MD, Department of Internal Medicine

National Institutes of Health Thematic Areas

The Seven Thematic Areas named in this grant as identified by the NIH are described here.

Internal Funding Opportunity

Objective

A primary objective of the Cancer and Aging Program is to increase the breadth and depth of research on cancer and aging. Toward this goal, the CAP Research Development Funding Initiative provides pilot project funding to UI investigators. It is expected that a minimum of two awards will be made each year through academic year 2007-2008. The pilot project duration is one year. Each project can request funds up to $50,000.

Process

Proposals were screened through a letter-of-concept process. The emphasis of the CAP Research Development Funding Initiative is on translational and clinical research. Please refer to the announcement and application guidelines available through the download links listed below for additional information.

Download Links

Pilot Research Funding Announcement: Pilot_Funding_2007-2008.pdf

Pilot Research Funding Guidelines: CAP Application Guidelines 2007-2008.pdf