Grants aid in cancer research

GREENVILLE, N.C.  —   Research by two ECU surgery faculty members recently received a boost in the form of grants from Triad Golfers Against Cancer.

Dr. Emmanuel Zervos, professor of surgery, received $40,000 to aid in his project to use immunotherapy and/or gene therapy to improve survival among rectal cancer patients.

Dr. Kathryn Verbanac, a scientist and professor of surgery, received $30,000 to assist with her investigation of whether a certain type of white blood cell creates a pre-metastatic niche for the formation of tumors. Her work is aimed at lung cancer but could be applicable to other cancers and could help prevent, identify and treat tumors.

Triad Golfers Against Cancer awarded $260,000 in grants this year to the four medical schools in North Carolina. Golfers Against Cancer, founded in 1997, is a national charitable organization.