AsianScientist (May 20, 2013) – The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) has funded two new young investigators in China to lead innovative prostate cancer research projects within the country.
The PCF China Young Investigator Awards provide a three-year grant of US$37,500 per year. In total, the Prostate Cancer Foundation has funded 120 Young Investigator Awards in nine countries.
While cancer rates in the United States are falling, with 580,350 cancer deaths projected for the United States this year, they are rising in China with a death rate from cancer of about 2.5 million people yearly.
Hao Hu, MD, MBBS, from the People’s Hospital in Peking University, is one of the two new recipients of the PCF Young Investigator Award. Dr. Hu will study the role of the protein EMI1 (Early Mitotic Inhibitor 1) on the progression of prostate cancer to disease that is resistant to treatment. He and his team have identified EMI1 as playing a crucial role in disease development and progression by interacting with the androgen receptor, the primary driver of prostate cancer.
Lu Yang, MD, from West China Hospital in Sichuan University, will study the link between inflammation and the initiation of prostate cancer. Dr. Lang and his team will conduct four Phase I clinical studies to investigate the effects of anti-inflammatory agents such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like aspirin, on prostate tumor initiation and progression. His team will also outline the precise molecular mechanism behind the effects of anti-inflammatory agents on preventing disease progression.
The two new young investigators were honored at an awards ceremony and dinner at the Sheraton Shanghai Hongkou on Saturday (May 18), following the Second Annual PCF China Scientific Symposium.
PCF China, an initiative of the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), identifies, funds, and promotes innovative research projects within China to end death and suffering from prostate cancer. Founded in 1993, PCF has raised more than US$530 million and provided funding to over 1,600 research projects at nearly 200 institutions in 16 countries around the world.
——
Source: PCF China.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
