Recognizing Progress in Cancer Research
The National Cancer Act turns 40, and we present examples of research accomplishments by OSUCCC – James investigators



MICHAEL A. CALIGIURI, MD
DIRECTOR, COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, JAMES CANCER HOSPITAL AND SOLOVE RESEARCH INSTITUTE THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, JOHN L. MARAKAS NATIONWIDE INSURANCE ENTERPRISE FOUNDATION CHAIR IN CANCER RESEARCH

This Dec. 23rd our nation will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the National Cancer Act. The research done since the act's passage has led in many cases to cures, to extraordinary new treatments, to earlier detection and to improved quality of life for cancer survivors.

Yet, some 570,000 Americans will die of cancer this year. This issue of Frontiers shows some of what we are doing to reduce that number.

Our cover story offers examples of progress in clinical and translational research that is already making a difference in patients' lives. Another story looks at how retroviral research is improving our understanding of cancer and read about our skull-base surgery program for a remarkable example of clinical innovations that are improving patients' quality of life.

In this issue's Frontline, Peter Shields, MD, internationally renowned physician-scientist and expert in cancer prevention, presents an insightful perspective of cancer prevention research. Peter recently joined Ohio State from Georgetown University as deputy director of the OSUCCC – James.

We've successfully worked in the past to improve clinical-trials access. Recently we took another step toward improving the clinical trials process. It is all but impossible to conduct clinical trials evaluating combinations of experimental targeted agents, largely because of intellectual property, commercialization, profit and price issues.

In May, the OSUCCC – James and Friends of Cancer Research organized a Cancer Drug Development Roundtable to begin tackling this complex problem.

The Ohio State Roundtable brought together representatives of academia, government, the pharmaceutical industry, legal services and advocacy groups to address the barriers to codeveloping cancer drugs owned by competing interests. Our goal is to bring new cancer treatments more quickly to patients.

Finally, watch for our video icon. Visit Frontiers online and click on it to see OSUCCC – James researchers talking about their work or their views on progress in cancer research.