President's Cancer Panel Meeting: Translating Research to Reduce the Burden of Cancer, Transcript of Proceedings, Columb by National Institute of Cancer . - HTML preview

OPENING REMARKS—DR. LaSALLE D. LEFFALL, JR.

On behalf of the PCP, Dr. Leffall welcomed invited participants and the public. He provided a brief overview of the history and purpose of the Panel and the aims of the current series of meetings on translating research to reduce the burden of cancer. Dr. Leffall explained that the meeting would consist of three panel discussions, each addressing a unique aspect of translating research. Abstracts submitted in advance by the speakers were made available during the meeting.

WELCOME—DR. MICHAEL CALIGIURI

 Background

Dr. Caligiuri is the Director of the Division of Hematology and Oncology in the Department of Internal Medicine at The Ohio State University (OSU). Holder of the John L. Marakas Nationwide Insurance Enterprise Foundation Chair in Cancer Research, he serves as Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) of The Ohio State University and Deputy Director of the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. Dr. Caligiuri received his doctorate in Medicine from Stanford University School of Medicine.

 Key Points

• The Ohio State University is the largest university in the United States and has one of the most comprehensive health sciences campuses in the country, as well as an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Recently, the Board of Trustees moved toward approving a $400 million program that will double the size of the cancer program, focusing on three areas: human cancer genetics, experimental therapeutics, and prevention. This program will also bring in nearly 100 new investigators and create approximately 1 million square feet of space.
• It is important to create public awareness about the importance of reducing the cancer burden. Dr. Caligiuri and Dr. David Schuler, Executive Director of the James Cancer Hospital, have worked together to develop programs to that end, including improving the Comprehensive Cancer Center and promoting an outreach program in southern Ohio focused on reducing the incidence of cervical cancer.