2 Wednesday, July 3, 2013 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Center to begin patient trials of breast cancer treatment Drug, in combination with chemo, could prevent relapse By TUI RADEMAKER Daily News Editor If a new treatment currently being tested at the University's Comprehensive Cancer Center proves effective, breast cancer patients' chances of relapsing could be greatly decreased. Anne Schott, associate professor ofinternalmedicineattheUniversity Medical School, is leading a clinical trial on the effects of combining standard chemotherapy with a drug called Reparixin to destroy the stem cells in patients suffering from metastatic, or advanced stage, breast cancer. Reparixin was originally designed and marketed by Domp6, a pharmaceutical company to help transplant patients accept their new organs. The idea for the research was first brought up by Dr. Max Wicha, director of the University ------- - --- - BENEFITS From Page 1 "The University benefits are not offered on the basis of sex," Fitzgerald said. "It'sbasicallyoffered on what's called an Other Qualified Adult, or another adult living with a University employee ... that is qualified for benefits. The ruling doesn't really affect the University's ability to offer those benefits." The University's policy, which was drafted in 2008, allows OQA benefits in cases in which the employee is eligible for benefits. Those eligible for benefits are defined as another person who has shared residence with the employee for at least six continuous months and does not already receive spousal benefits. When the bill was being considered by the Michigan legislature in 2011, University President Mary Sue Coleman and former University Provost Phil Hanlon appealed to representatives in a letter, writingthat there was "no Comprehensive Cancer Center, who realized that Reparixin could hit the drug target CXCR1 for breast cancer stem cells that he had been studying. "In the laboratory it looked promising, so now we're testing it in people," Schott said. "This is the first time it's ever been tested with chemotherapy and definitely the first time it's ever been tested in cancer patients." She said stem cells are only a tiny part of a breast cancer tumor - anywhere from around 0.5 to five percent - yet they are responsible for creating new tumors and thus making it possible for women to relapse years after being initially treated. While standard chemotherapy has proven effective in destroying most cancer cells, it does nottarget the stem cells. By combining the stem-cell targeted drug Reparixin with chemotherapy, Schott said she hopes to achieve not only the initial treatment but also prevent regrowth. "We know that we have a combination therapy (that) can shrink tumors but the stem cell part evidence that (eliminating benefits) will reduce health care costs." The letter stated that in 2011, 570 qualified adults and 48 dependent children depended on the domestic partner benefits. After the bill passed, Fitzgerald said the University did not change its policy. "At the time (the bill) was being considered it wasn't clear where the legislature was headed with this legislation, but the University's policy is one that we believe serves the best interests of the University and its employees," he said. State Rep. Adam Zemke (D- Ann Arbor) said even though the decision would not change the way the University extends benefits to its employees, he said he felt the decision would have long-term significance. "(The reason the) University is able to do what it does is because of a gentleman's agreement, a memorandum of understanding between the governor and the legislature and the University," Zemke said. He said the relationship between - the part that can make tumor after tumor after tumor - those are resistant to chemotherapy," she said. "What we're developing is a combination treatment to try and do both: try to shrink the tumor but then also get rid of these stem cells that keep causing relapses." While the clinical trial is in its early phases, a number of women have shown interest in participating. At least one patient has been undergoing the combination treatment for a year, which Schott said is a promising sign as they are now able to determine that Reparixin reacts safely with standard chemotherapy. The initial stages of the clinical trial were carried out to determine the best dose at which to administer Reparixin, but Schott said they're able to move into a second and more comprehensive phase in which the researchers will try to determine the drug's impact on the tumor's stem cells. "We've certainly seen responses in this treatment but we have to be careful interpreting that because of course the patients are receiving standard chemotherapy along with the governor and University could change in the future, putting the University's policy at risk. "When we're talking about statutes, they are not supposed to be something easily changed throughout time," Zemke said. "They are supposed to be something that last. And memorandums of understanding like the University's do not hold water in a real sense as do statutes." The ACLU of Michigan challenged the law last year on behalf of plaintiffs who were unable to receive partner benefits because they were not married. Michigan passed a law that made for a constitutional amendment that banned same-sex marriage in 2004. "We believe that this law that tells certain public employers, cities and counties, school districts that you can't provide health insurance coverage for same-sex partners of an employee while you can provide health insurance for just about anybody else," Jay Kaplan, an ACLU of Michigan staff attorney, said. "It's discriminatory and its true motivation was to target gay and an experimental drug," she said. "I wouldn't want to overstate and say that we know right now that this is an effective treatment but certainly we've seen that it's very possible to combine it with chemotherapy." The full scope and application of Reparixin is not yet known, and Schott said that until researchers do laboratory tests on the drug's reaction with other forms of cancer, it's not understood if this treatment canbe applied morebroadly. "Obviously if it looks interesting in breast cancer, I think there will be a lot of research being done in other cancers to see if it might effective there, but we're really starting with breast cancer at this point," she said. For now, the research will focus on breast cancer. In order for the Reparixin-chemotherapy combination to be approved as an official treatment, an additional clinical trial would be needed which would compare one subject pool using only chemotherapy to another using the combination. All patients currently participating in Schott's study are being given both drugs. lesbian couples." Kaplan said the law blocking same-sex partner benefit also denies the dignity of the relationships and their families. "This is the only state in the country that has a law like this that says providing health insurance (to partners) wasn't based on recognizing the relationship, it was under different criteria that same- sex partners would be covered, made it illegal." State Rep. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) said he was disappointed when the governor signed into law a bill that would revoke benefits from families. "When the bill was passed I spoke up and said it was unconstitutional, it was discriminatory," Irwin said. "I'm glad this judge has stepped in with the same rationale of the (U.S.) Supreme Court to rule that this law is unconstitutional, that it violates the constitutional protections of Equal Protection." Zemke introduced a bill earlier in the week, bringing the issue of gay marriage back as a ballot question for voters. 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1327 www.michigandaily.com KATIE BURKE MERYL HULTENG Edori n hef BuinesMaage CONTACT INFORMATION Newsroom rOficehours: Sun.-hurs. 11a.m. -2 a.m 734.763-2459 opt.3 News Tips ,nwsnmihigandaily.com, Cetios orectios ,'ons,@michigandaid,.co LetterstotheEditor tothedaily@michandaiy.com or visit michigandailycom/et'e's PhotoDepartment ph,,oto(,c, dalyco'" Art Sectionr arts@michigandaiycom Editorial Page opinion@michigandailycom SportsSection sports@michigandaiy.com Magazine statement@michigandalcom Advertisin hne 3-7405 Department diplay9mihigndaily. tlassifieds Phone: 734-764-0557 Department cassiied@michigandailycom EDITORIAL STAFF Elliot Alpern Managing Editor Aaron Guggenheim Managing News Editor aguggen@michigandaily.com SENIOR NEWS EDITORS: AmruthaSivakumar, TuiRademaker EricFerguson EditorialtPageEditor opinioneditors@michigandaily-com SENIOR EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR: GregGarno Managing Sports Editor sportseditors@michigandaiy com JeremySummitAleaDettelbach Johntynch ManagingArtsEditor iynomichigandaily com SENIOR ARTS EDITORS Kendall Russ, Max Radwin MaleneLacasse tManagingPhotoEditor phto..n.,Signdaily,,,. 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Wednesday, July 3, 2013 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com\ MNSBASKETBALL Burke falls, lands with Jazz in unpredictable NBA draft By NEAL ROTHSCHILD Daily Sports Editor presented the next best chance to scoop Burke up. Burke was excited at the ADAM GLANZMAN/Daily Former Michigan guard Tim Hardaway Jr. will join the New York Knicks this seaon. Hardawa taken 24th by Knicks By NEAL ROTHSCHILD Daily Sports Editor NEW YORK - His father hated the Knicks, but that didn't matter. Tim Hardaway Jr. was drafted by New York with the 24th over- all pick in the NBA Draft, giving Michigan two first-round selec- tions after Trey Burke was taken ninth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves and later traded to Utah. It marks the first time since 1994 that the Wolverines boasted two first-rounders. The grudges Hardaway's father held two decades ago won't matter much. "I don't mind it at all," Hard- away said on a conference call about his father's past with the team. "I'm just happy to be part of the New York Knicks franchise and I'm just happy to be a part of this draft process. It was a long six weeks and I don't care what team I'm playing for as long as I get an opportunity out there." Hardaway didn't see the same slide down the draft boards that Burke saw Thursday night, com- pared to expectations. The former Wolverine guard was expected to land in the early to late 20s. With guard and high-volume shooter J.R. Smith testing free agency, space could open on the roster for Hardaway to see more minutes. Current small forward Iman Shumpert is a better defend- er, but perhaps not as dynamic of an offensive weapon. "I think he's going to fit perfect- ly," Burke said. "That's the kind of player he is. Tim Hardaway is a team player first. That's what's most important, what he brings to teams. He has the NBA gene in him. I definitely think the Knicks didn't go wrong picking him." If last fall was any indication, Hardaway should feel comfort- able in his new home, Madison Square Garden. At the 2012 NIT Preseason Tip-Off, Hardaway won MVP at the tournament, scoring 23 points on 10-for-15 shooting as the Wolverines rout- ed Kansas State. "Coach Beilein and his coach- ing staff did a great job of pre- paring (me and Trey) for this moment," Hardaway said. "We're just excited, being able to come out here and not just show our talent but show our abilities out there on the court." NEW YORK - There were a prospect of landing in Detroit. lot of moving pieces and a good He knew general manager Joe amount of confusion. When Dumars through his son Jordan, everything stopped, Trey Burke who was in the Michigan pro- ended up on the Utah Jazz. gram when Burke was a fresh- Trey Burke expected to go man. He thought that his fanbase between No. 2 and No. 8 in the with Michigan would help make 2013 NBA Draft on Thursday, him a quick favorite in Detroit. and he just missed. The Min- But the Pistons said no thank nesota Timberwolves grabbed you, instead grabbing guard Ken- Burke with the ninth overall tavious Caldwell-Pope from Geor- pick, but he was immediately on gia. the move. At that point, Burke grew The former Michigan point nervous. No teams drafting in guard would be traded to the the first round past Detroit had Jazz for their 14th and 21st picks. worked him out. "It was a long process," Burke "I didn't know-how far I was said. "I'm happy it's over with. going to slip back into the draft," I'm happy I know where I'm he said. "Once they passed on going to end up." me, I was kind of like, now I don't In Utah, Burke joins a team know where I'm going to go." with no established order at The anxiety wouldn't last for point guard. The team has long. The Timberwolves, on the Randy Foye, Jamaal Tinsley, clock next with Ricky Rubio in Mo Williams and Earl Watson tow at point guard, were quick to - all journeymen point guards snatch Burke. not guaranteed a contract next A team that hadn't worked season. It may not take much for him out and a team that seem- Burke to crack the opening night ingly didn't need a point guard. starting lineup. But he'll still be working inthe footsteps of some greats. Burk joins in the lineage of Jazz point guards that include John Stock ton and Deron Williams. He'll have a strong frontcour to work with in low-post dynam9 Al Jefferson, rebounding maven Paul Millsap and budding center Enes Kanter. 5 4 3 From the outset of the draft- it was clear that the pre-draft projections could be quickly for- gotten. The Cleveland Cavalier started the draft emphatically 5 8 1 taking forward Anthony Bennet- from UNLV, who many expected 2 to wind up in the bottom half o the top-10. When the rest of the dominos 3 started to fall, it was clear tha Burke wouldn't end up with New Orleans at No. 6, or even with Sacramento at No. 7. He clapped 7 5 politely for each selection with his body language betraying 4 8? 2 7 worry. Michigan coach John Beilei looked on from the front rows, also uncomfortably.1' The Pistons, on the clock next "It was kind of a shocker that the Timberwolves selected me," Burke said. "So I was kind of thrown off a little bit. I was happy at the same time. I was excited. I got to walk across the stage that I've been watching since I was a little kid." He was barely across that stage when reports emerged that Burke would need a new hat. At first Yahoo! Sports and ESPN reported that he was headed to Portland, and then that Utah would be the destination. He waited in one of the back rooms at the Barclays Center. Then it was made official - he'd go to Utah. Shabazz Muhammed and Gorgui Dieng, drafted 14th and 21st, would be coming the other way to Portland. "Once I found out I was get- ting traded, it was kind of like, what do I do? I had the hat on and everything. They told me to sit in the back room until it was confirmed. Now that it's con- firmed, I'm happy to be in Utah."