Researchers identify gene variant that raises risk for colorectal cancer from eating processed/red meat

By Suzanne Wu

A common genetic variant that affects one in every three people significantly increases the risk of colorectal cancer from consuming red meat and processed meat, according to a study presented at the annual American Society of Human Genetics 2013 meeting, the largest gathering of human geneticists in the world.

In addition, the study — the first to identify the interactions of genes and diet on a genome-wide scale — also reveals another specific genetic variation that appears to modify whether eating more vegetables, fruits and fiber actually lowers your colorectal cancer risk. … Read More »

November 5th, 2013|Announcements|

MEDICAL STUDENTS GET THE INSIDE STORY ON HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGES

More than 50 second-year medical students came to the Edmondson Faculty Center at the Keck School of Medicine of USC on Oct. 17 to hear Kim Belshe, one of the five board members for the California Covered health benefit exchange, and Professor Michael L. Cousineau discuss the public policy ramifications of the new health benefit exchanges that are central to the Affordable Care Act. … Read More »

November 5th, 2013|Announcements|

Keck Medicine of USC researchers to study air pollution/obesity connection

By Leslie Ridgeway

Could air pollution make you fat? Keck Medicine of USC researchers received funding to investigate the hypothesis that children who live near busy roadways may be exposed to air pollution that causes inflammation, leading to obesity and other health problems.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have granted $7.8 million to Keck Medicine’s Southern California Children’s Environmental Health Center (SC-CEHC) over the next five years. Three teams of scientists will mine data from previous research and conduct new studies on near-roadway air pollution’s role in the development of obesity and metabolic abnormalities that may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. … Read More »

November 5th, 2013|Announcements|

USC researchers to grow organs to unlock how cancer tumors develop

By Leslie Ridgeway

Using three-dimensional organ creation, Keck Medicine of USC researchers aim to discover clues to metastatic cancer growth by developing a first-ever integrated bioengineered/computational model of metastatic colon cancer.

David B. Agus, MD, director of the USC Center for Applied Molecular Medicine and professor of medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, is the principal investigator of a $2.3 million, four-year “Provocative Questions” grant awarded recently by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). … Read More »

October 25th, 2013|Announcements|

A WEEK OF USC NORRIS CELEBRATIONS

The USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center has sponsored a host of activities in October to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its founding as one of the eight original National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Centers. … Read More »

October 25th, 2013|Announcements|