Jack A. Roth, M.D.
Lung Cancer Moon Shot
About Dr. Roth
Jack Roth, M.D., F.A.C.S., is a thoracic surgeon and cancer researcher who leads a laboratory and clinical research program in lung cancer. His research is focused on developing treatments that target genetic abnormalities in lung cancer cells aimed at maximizing efficacy, minimizing toxicity and mobilizing the immune response against the cancer.
Affiliations and Related Links
Fighting Cancer: It's Personal
What's your Moon Shot focus?
Lung cancer is the major cause of cancer deaths in both men and women, with a significant number of cases occurring in never smokers. The focus of the Lung Cancer Moon Shot™ is to develop more effective prevention, early diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer.
What makes the Moon Shots Program stand out?
The Moon Shots Program™ is a bold concept in cancer research and is focused on a rapid reduction in cancer deaths using novel technology and team science. Generous philanthropic support for the program enables rapid progress in the face of declining federal funding for cancer research.
What makes your fight against cancer personal?
As a cancer surgeon, I've seen cancer occur unpredictably, often striking down patients in the prime of life and causing untold pain and suffering. I can help many patients individually as a physician. However, new research discoveries in the Moon Shots Program may save the lives of many thousands of patients.
What do you hope to accomplish?
The Lung Cancer Moon Shot is aimed at reducing deaths due to lung cancer through prevention, detecting lung cancer at its earliest, most curable stage, and developing more effective lung cancer treatments.
What motivates and excites you?
For many years, little progress has been made in reducing deaths from lung cancer. Now, with greater understanding of the molecular basis of lung cancer and harnessing the immune response, we stand poised to make major breakthroughs.
What else do you want people to know about you and your work?
My other roles at MD Anderson include: Bud S. Johnson Distinguished Clinical Chair of the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery department, chief of the Thoracic Molecular Oncology section within the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery department and director of the W. M. Keck Center for Innovative Cancer Therapies.