UT MD Anderson Cancer Center and Norwegian Cancer Consortium Renew Collaboration

MD Anderson News Release May 11, 2012

MD Anderson News Release 05/11/12

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center will renew a collaborative agreement with the Norwegian Cancer Consortium (NCC) at a signing ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 12 in Stavanger, Norway.

MD Anderson has built one of the largest global, academic network of cancer centers, hospitals and universities - called Sister Institutions - working collaboratively to lessen the world's cancer burden. The NCC, comprising Oslo University Hospital, Stavanger University Hospital and The Cancer Registry of Norway, joined the Sister Institution Network in 2007 and the signing event will commemorate the five-year renewal of the relationship.

United States Ambassador to Norway, Barry White and Mayor of Stavanger, Christine Sagen Helgø will be among the distinguished guests present to witness the signing by Ronald DePinho, M.D., president of MD Anderson, Bjorn Eirkson, M.D., chief executive officer of Oslo University Hospital and Bard Lilleeng, M.D., chief executive officer of Stavanger University Hospital.

"Our partners in Norway provide great strategic opportunities to engage in research," said Oliver Bogler, Ph.D., vice president of Global Academic Programs at MD Anderson. "For example, the ability of the Norwegian Cancer Registry to capture the entire medical history of the Norwegian population is research that we can't do in the US. Many other opportunities are being explored, based on the excellence of the faculty and research programs at Oslo University's Radium Hospital and at the Stavanger University Hospital. World-class programs in breast cancer, stem cells, cancer prevention and immunotherapy are just some of the areas we're pursuing together."

The Institute for Cancer Research at the Radium Hospital specializes in biochemistry, cell and tumor biology, genetics, radiation biology, immunology and cancer prevention. Stavanger University Hospital's oncology research program includes personalized breast cancer therapy, GI surgery and hematology.

The final branch of the consortium, the Cancer Registry of Norway, is unparalleled in its screening and data capture. The registry maintains the national breast and cervical cancer screening programs, as well as data throughout the lifespan of Norway's citizens and the accumulation of comprehensive cancer data.

The resigning ceremony will take place prior to the 2012 Global Academic Programs 2012 Conference, which is being held in Oslo, Norway, May 14-16 and co-hosted by MD Anderson and the Norwegian Cancer Consortium. 05-11-12