Platforms for success

Six moon shots have taken flight on their mission to significantly reduce deaths from cancer. MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program has assembled an empowering infrastructure of expertise and technology to help accelerate their efforts.  

Ten moon shot platforms — think of them as research engines — provide resources and brainpower required to more efficiently gather and use data. The platforms also specialize in the development of new treatments and innovative prevention methods to reduce cancer’s toll.

“These platforms will help address areas at the cutting edge of science and medicine,” a panel of outside experts from other major cancer centers noted after a December review. Areas cited by the Scientific Advisory Board include drug development, prevention, cancer genetics and proteomics, preclinical cancer models, and the storage and processing of clinical and research information.

Coupled with the institution’s world-leading clinical trials engine, the platforms position the institution to better match novel drugs to appropriate patients and to enhance its research-driven care by learning more from each patient.

“The idea is to have each patient contributing to and benefiting from research, with the goal of improving outcomes and accelerating cures,” says Andy Futreal, Ph.D., Moon Shots Program co-leader.