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About the GCRC
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2006 Pilot Grant Awardees
The University of Washington General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) is pleased to announce the recipients
of the 2006 GCRC Pilot and Feasibility Grants.
The GCRC is committed to helping junior investigators get their research programs up and running.
The Pilot & Feasibility Grant program is designed to facilitate career development in clinical research.
Each year, the GCRC seeks applications for well-defined projects that will use GCRC resources. The
grants are open to young investigators or, exceptionally, established investigators proposing a new
direction in their clinical research. Based on available funding, up to three pilot projects are funded
at a maximum budget of $25,000 each (one Adult unit award, one Pediatric unit award, and one
Biotherapeutics award). This year due to the availability of extra non-federal funds, two additional
grants were awarded:
Special consideration is given to first-time applications to use the Biotherapeutics Production Facility.
All applications undergo rigorous scientific peer review.
Pilot Grant Awards Abstracts
Heidi M. Crane MD, MPH
Acting Instructor Department of Medicine
University of Washington
Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Lipodystrophy among extensively treated HIV-infected patients: estimating renal function
This study will determine the best formula for calculating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) among
HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. We will evaluate several estimated GFR techniques to determine
their accuracy and precision using two groups of HIV-infected patients for whom these estimates are
likely to be most problematic. This information will help us to monitor HIV-infected patients in
clinical settings.
Lupe G. Salazar, MD
Acting Instructor Department of Medicine
University of Washington
Division of Oncology
Phase I Dose Escalation Study of Intraperitoneal (I.P.) ONTAK Administered to Patients with Advanced Stage Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian tumors are immunogenic and associated with multiple mechanisms of tumor-induced
immunosuppression. The ovarian tumor microenvironment in the peritoneum involves a complex
network of immunosuppressive factors including increased percentages of T regulatory cells
(Tregs). ONTAK, a cytotoxic fusion protein has been shown to deplete Tregs resulting in an
anti-tumor response. Therefore, we hypothesize that ONTAK may be useful in treating advanced
ovarian cancer.
James F. Brinkley, MD, PhD
Research Professor
Departments Biological Structure and Medical Education and Biomedical Informatics
Anne M. Stevens, MD
Assistant Professor
Division of Immunology/Rheumatology
Department of Pediatrics
Beyond the Spreadsheet: Information Management for GCRC Investigators
Although most GCRC researchers currently use spreadsheets to manage their clinical trials data,
spreadsheets are becoming increasingly unwieldy as data volumes and sharing requirements become
greater. In this pilot we will work with one GCRC researcher to evaluate two locally developed tools
for meeting her data management needs. This will result in one or more working prototypes that may
serve as a basis for longer-term informatics planning for all GCRC users.
April Stempien-Otero, MD
Assistant Professor
Division of Cardiology
University of Washington
Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells for End-Stage Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
This study will test the hypothesis that bone marrow-derived CD34+ cells are necessary and sufficient to
induce increased vascularization and decreased fibrosis in the myocardium of patients with ischemic
cardiomyopathy. We will inject selected populations of autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells into
patients undergoing placement of a left ventricular assist device. After explant of hearts at cardiac
transplantation, injection sites will be evaluated histologically.
Teal S. Hallstrand, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care
University of Washington
Jason S. Debley, MD, MPH
Acting Assistant Professor
Division of Pulmonary Medicine
Department of Pediatrics
Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center
Epithelial Regulation of Cysteinyl Leukotriene Synthesis during Acute Asthma
The production of cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) in the airways plays a major role in the
pathophysiology of acute asthma. The goal of this study is to determine if secretory Phospholipase
A2 in the epithelium increases the production of CysLTs during acute asthma by interacting with
inflammatory cells such as eosinophils residing within the epithelium.
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