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Immunology research expands HCC mission by Cindy Abole Public Relations Since childhood, Mike Nishimura, Ph.D., showed a natural love for science and curiosity in all aspects of his life. As a middle school student growing up near the nation’s capital, he knew science would play a major role in his future and career choices. The oldest son of an interpreter and an insurance specialist, Nishimura was always stimulated to learn new things.   Dr. Mike Nishimura Nishimura has turned his scientific curiosity into life-saving studies at MUSC. His ongoing intellectual pursuit has been studying the genetic causes of human disease and the body’s immune response to pathogens and tumor cells.   A renowned geneticist and tumor immunologist, Nishimura  succeeds  in the work established by David J. Cole, M.D., director, Head Division of General Surgery, and Jim Norris, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, to manage and lead cancer immunology research and immunotherapy at Hollings Cancer Center (HCC).   Specifically, Nishimura’s role is to develop and test innovative immunotherapeutic approaches with patients involved in clinical trials; create new research initiatives, and establish training opportunities to help groom the next generation of independent scientific investigators in the ongoing study of cancer and disease.      “Science, itself, is a challenge,” said Nishimura. “It allows an individual to explore whatever he or she wants on an intellectual level. Science offers people so much intellectual freedom. As scientists, we get to work on projects that interest us. Our jobs allow us to take on the problems we want and study our own interests. That’s a level of freedom not commonly found in most other jobs and careers.”   Currently, his program is one of six core research areas at HCC. Other research specialties are: cancer cell signaling; cancer genes and molecular regulation; experimental therapeutics; and hematologic malignancies and cancer prevention and control. Expanding and developing these research programs fall in line with HCC’s mission to fulfill a P30 cancer center support grant and achieve National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated status.   The cancer immunology and immunotherapy program focuses on the function of the body’s immune system and biomedical research. The program works collaboratively with specialists across campus to conduct immunologic research in the areas of adoptive T-cell transfers, antibody/complement research, antigen processing, apoptosis, cancer vaccines, gene therapy, and tumor-mediated immune suppressions.   Developing this core research area complements the institution’s plans to establish a new Cell Therapy Center, or large sterile clean lab, which can be used by researchers to create cellular products and develop therapies to spur vaccine development against certain types of cancer.   “Cancer immunology is a critical component of cancer research with great possibilities for translational research,” said Ysuf A. Hannun, M.D., Ralph F. Hirschmann Professor and Chair, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and HCC deputy director of research. “This is critical for HCC’s planned P30 and its ongoing research programs. Development of MUSC’s Clean Cell Facility is critical for translational cancer immune therapeutics, and is a unique resource.” Re-crossing paths More than a decade ago Nishimura and Cole worked together at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Cole completed a surgery post-doctoral fellowship from 1992-1994 and worked and trained under Nishimura within the surgery branch as part of NCI Tumor Immunology Section branch chief Steve Rosenberg's, M.D., Ph.D., research group. Both collaborated on human T-cell receptor research and other related studies. Cole’s work later contributed to Nishimura’s translational research.   As both colleagues progressed down separate career paths, they still managed to stay in touch through their research.   “My experience working with Mike has been very formative, especially in his lab,” said Cole. “He’s a highly intelligent individual and an excellent mentor with a great track record for developing and mentoring surgeons and scientists. He’ll take colleagues under his wing and will guide and support them in their research endeavors.”   An opportunity came in 2005 with the opening of an expanded HCC facility and reorganization and growth calling for the center to expand its research capabilities and establish its base of translational scientists.   Cole felt that a place for his colleague-friend could be created within MUSC's Department of Surgery and HCC. The opportunity would provide an attractive change within an emerging collaborative environment in which physicians and scientists could work together on cancer immunology research under one department. Cole contacted Nishimura who was working as the director of the surgical oncology laboratories at the University of Chicago.   “I liked what I saw during my first visit to MUSC and the Hollings Cancer Center,” Nishimura recalled. “The Hollings center is a well-structured, traditional cancer center where everyone shares a vision of working in the same direction. To me, that translated to good quality patient care, basic science research, translational research and further possibilities with clinical trials.”       To Nishimura, participating in clinical trials is only part of the solution for adequately treating patients with cancer—it’s more about the research. He’s already successfully recruited talented translational scientists from across the country to begin in this effort. He’s also a member of the MUSC biosafety committee, Institutional Review Board, and the General Clinical Research Center advisory committee.   Meanwhile, Nishimura will continue his career work in genetics and translational immunology research. He will strive to find ways to advance science and effective new therapies in patients by working with the clinical trials office, and maintaining research funding support. Additionally he will continue to be published in leading scientific cancer journals while expanding HCC’s mentoring program.   Nishimura received his doctorate in tumor immunology in 1989 at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. He also worked at the NCI where he learned to combine basic science research with the development of new therapies for patients within a clinical environment. Developing a new breed of translational scientists Finding time to train today’s breed of translational scientists in clinical research can be as challenging as the science they are investigating.      Typically, surgeons and physicians interested in clinical science struggle to find adequate training time within their busy academic schedules that won’t alter their career paths. Upon completing four to five years of residency training, the science they learn in the labs may be old and inpractical in the fast-paced world of clinical research.       At Hollings Cancer Center, the immediate goal is to achieve National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designation as an accredited cancer center and developing translational research and training programs for developing junior faculty.   Within the Department of Surgery, physicians have succeeded in developing into active clinical investigators focused on advancing clinical research in multiple areas of medicine, and gaining independent funding.          The vision of Fred Crawford, M.D., Department of Surgery chair and Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery chief, was to promote the academics of medicine and develop mentorship and training opportunities among talented surgeons, residents and fellows.   Surgery has demonstrated this through the recruitment of trained clinician-scientists, which include David J. Cole, M.D., and William E. Gillanders, M.D., surgical oncologists; and Ken Chavin, M.D., transplant surgery. All have matriculated through the Department of Surgery and successfully developed strong research programs and track records of success in their specialties.   “When I first arrived at MUSC, I had active research projects that were relevant and potentially fundable,” said Cole, who took off two years of his surgical training to conduct research at NCI. “I also had a good mentor that was very involvedwho advised me. There needs to be opportunities for surgeons to develop in the right environment in order to be able to strike a balance between clinical and research responsibilities.”     Friday, July 20, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.