Life Sciences Discovery Fund Awards $2.2 Million to Support New Solid-Tumor Research...

Life Sciences Discovery Fund Awards $2.2 Million to Support New Solid-Tumor
Research Program

SEATTLE, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The state's Life Sciences Discovery fund
has awarded $2.2 million to establish a formal phase 1 clinical-trials program
to test new therapies for solid tumors at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research
Center. Announced this evening, the grant is among the first funded by
Washington's$350 million tobacco-lawsuit-settlement bonus.
Developing novel therapies targeted to treat solid tumors, in
collaboration with local biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms, is the goal
of the Hutchinson Center/University of Washington Cancer Consortium. Phase 1
trials are by definition the first testing of cancer therapies in humans. The
purpose is to determine whether and how a drug works.
Traditionally, phase 1 studies have been primarily concerned with drug
safety. However, with the increased knowledge of the molecular pathways
involved in cancer development, an ever-increasing proportion of drugs
initially tested in humans prove to be effective, even in the first patients
treated.
"Phase 1 trials are critically important, require a high level of unique
competencies and, if done correctly, can substantially speed the development
of new therapies," said Martin (Mac) Cheever, M.D., director of solid-tumor
research at the Hutchinson Center. "This is an outcome that can benefit the
state's patients, industry and health care enterprises."
Initially, the program will use the funding to develop a highly efficient
infrastructure for implementing early phase -- primarily industry sponsored --
cancer clinical trials, and to provide exploratory funds that will allow
Consortium researchers to apply their expertise in cancer imaging and
biomarkers to cancer drug development.
The program will be led by John Thompson, M.D., as director of the
Consortium phase 1 program. Thompson will be responsible for scientific
direction and facilitating new industry and other trial sponsorships.
"Standard therapy for cancer is clearly inadequate," Cheever said. "The
best hope is the development of new targeted therapies. Thanks to
ever-advancing technologies and expanding basic knowledge of cancer biology --
areas of exceptional strength in the consortium -- the opportunities for
developing new therapies targeted to cancer cells have never been greater."
At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, our interdisciplinary teams of
world-renowned scientists and humanitarians work together to prevent, diagnose
and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Our researchers, including
three Nobel laureates, bring a relentless pursuit and passion for health,
knowledge and hope to their work and to the world. For more information,
please visit fhcrc.org.
About the Life Sciences Discovery Fund
The Life Sciences Discovery Fund, a Washington State agency established in
May 2005, makes grant investments in innovative life sciences research to
benefit Washington and its citizens. For more information on the Life Sciences
Discovery Fund, visit: www.lsdfa.org.
CONTACT
Dean Forbes
206-605-0311
dforbes@fhcrc.org

SOURCE Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Dean Forbes of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, +1-206-605-0311,
dforbes@fhcrc.org