When President Barack Obama called for a national moon shot to end cancer, the MD Anderson community and our patients cheered. For nearly 75 years, cancer has been our priority, and we are heartened to see it elevated to a true national priority.
Annual Report 2015 : Research
They want to fill the void left by less federal funding for research
In today’s economy, with government funding for cancer research difficult to come by, private philanthropy is essential.
Realizing this, four MD Anderson Board of Visitors members took matters into their own hands and personally endowed three new faculty research awards. Together, the awards funded by Bill Finneran, Jack Randall, Regina Rogers and Gary Stein will provide millions in support over several years for clinical research.
The Finneran Family Prize in Translational Research
Prostate cancer survivor Bill Finneran recalls the impeccable care he received at MD Anderson 21 years ago.
“The personal care and attention provided by the doctors and staff was phenomenal,” says Finneran, who divides his time between New York and Palm Beach, Florida. “I always found total commitment on every level of patient care, as well as the highest quality of research.”
He established the Finneran Family Prize, a $50,000 cash award given annually to a deserving faculty member. Christopher Logothetis, M.D., Finneran’s physician and chair of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, received the inaugural prize for his leadership and innovation in cancer care, particularly as co-leader of MD Anderson’s Prostate Cancer Moon Shot.
The Jack and Beverly Randall Prize for Excellence in Cancer Research
Jack Randall and his wife, Beverly, know it takes big ideas to get big results, and they established the Jack and Beverly Randall Prize for Excellence in Cancer Research to encourage innovative ideas and novel thinking among researchers.
“It takes creativity, passion and tenacity to have big breakthroughs,” says Jack. “It’s only through original ideas and a willingness to take a chance on the most promising concepts that vision becomes a reality.”
The $100,000 cash prize is awarded annually and alternates between cancer research and patient care.
“We think it’s important to build on MD Anderson’s history of achievement by honoring, encouraging and advancing innovation,” says Beverly. “This award is our way of supporting tomorrow’s leaders so they have the incentive and resources needed to make this happen.”
Andrew Futreal, Ph.D., chair ad interim of Genomic Medicine, is the inaugural recipient. Futreal is recognized for his groundbreaking research in large-scale systematic cancer genomics.
The Shirley Stein Scientific Endowed Research Award
Gary Stein teamed up with longtime family friend Regina Rogers to create the Shirley Stein Scientific Endowed Research Award in honor of his mother and Regina’s best friend, the late Shirley Stein.
“Mom was a force of nature,” says Stein. “She felt strongly that MD Anderson is one of Houston’s crown jewels and needs to be taken care of. This is one way we can honor her memory.”
Two faculty members will receive a $12,000 cash award each year to support outstanding clinical research performed with limited project resources.
The inaugural awards went to Alejandro Contreras, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of Pathology, and Yun Wu, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of Pathology. Contreras’ research focuses on identifying genetic alterations believed to contribute to aggressive forms of breast cancer. Wu’s research focuses on identifying molecular biomarkers for breast cancer prognosis and targeted therapy.
The MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors is an appointed board of individuals committed to helping MD Anderson achieve its mission of eliminating cancer. Board programs emphasize private fund development, public relations and outreach on behalf of the institution. For a complete list of board members and more Development updates from FY15, see "MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors."
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Bold advances require the latest technology
To meet a growing demand for clinical, diagnostic and support services, ground was broken in 2013 for The Pavilion, an eight-story, 184,800-square-foot facility connected to the Main Building.
In the face of cancer
It’s a phrase that describes our patients, who, faced with a disease that is unpredictable and unforgiving, remain strong and determined.
It describes our doctors, researchers, educators and staff, who are relentless in their drive to stop a plague that robs us all of friends, family and loved ones.
He took on the mystery of metastasis. Now he’s taking on brain cancer.
Few scientists have devoted as much of their career to understanding how cancer spreads as Isaiah Fidler, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Graduating to big things before returning to MD Anderson
When Joya Chandra, Ph.D., joined the faculty of MD Anderson’s pediatrics department in 2002, she felt an immediate kinship with the researchers, clinicians and, especially, with the students.
Where rivers of research and clinical data converge into one pool
A simple yet unprecedented goal drives the big data efforts of MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program: to have every patient contribute to and benefit from the cancer
center’s research.
Bottom line: Converting discoveries into new treatments at a faster rate
When a clinical trial for a new breast cancer drug launched recently, researchers estimated it would take at least two years to enroll the 20 patients needed to make the trial a success. However, within four months, half the patients had already enrolled — and the drug worked for all 10.
Outsmarting cancer with genetic testing
Teresa Hall’s visit to a gastroenterologist three years ago wasn’t the first time she’d sought help for troubling symptoms.
Are you at high risk for pancreatic cancer?
A new clinic to identify and monitor those at high risk for developing pancreatic cancer continues to expand after opening last year.
We’re creating partnerships to detect a deadly cancer earlier
Building on MD Anderson research, a new company named Codiak Biosciences has formed to create therapeutic and diagnostic products using exosomes — small parts of cells that break away and float around the body.
Breast cancer screening guidelines aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution
It’s clear that breast cancer screenings save lives. But exactly when women at average risk of developing breast cancer should begin screening is much less clear.
