Founded by TGen scientist to promote better cancer
treatments
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Aug. 31, 2009 - A workshop, founded by a TGen
scientist, that prepares clinicians to conduct clinical trials to
fight cancer will continue for another five years as a result of a
$1.5 million grant awarded by the National Cancer Institute.
The summer workshop was founded in 1996 by Dr. Daniel Von Hoff,
TGen's Physician-In-Chief, and Chief Scientific Officer at TGen
Clinical Research Services at Scottsdale Healthcare, which is a
primary clinical trials site for TGen.
"We are honored and delighted that this important grant has been
renewed," said Dr. Von Hoff, a regular faculty member at the
workshop, and the Principal Investigator on the NCI grant. "The
only way advances in science can make a difference for patients is
through clinical trials. Doing these trials correctly are critical
for the rapid introduction of new treatments.''
The workshop also is sponsored by the American Association for
Cancer Research (AACR) and the American Society of Clinical
Oncology (ASCO) - two of the nation's top cancer research support
groups.
"The AACR is delighted that the Vail Methods Workshop grant has
been renewed and fully funded for another five years,'' said AACR
Chief Executive Officer Dr. Margaret Foti. "We owe so much to Dr.
Von Hoff for his enormous contribution of time and leadership to
achieve this milestone in the 14-year history of this outstanding
educational offering."
Errors in the design and conduct of a clinical trial can make it
impossible for the trial to provide definitive answers about the
effectiveness of new approaches. Poor designs can lead to delays in
the introduction of new treatments and to the abandonment of
promising avenues of research, even those based on sound
science.
The intensive, weeklong summer "Methods" workshop introduces
oncology specialists - including those involved in radiation,
radiology and surgery - to the principles of good clinical trial
design.
Through lectures, small group discussions and daily mentored
protocol-development group meetings, the faculty instruct and
mentor the attendees in all aspects of crafting a protocol that can
by approved by the National Cancer Institute and Institutional
Review Boards (IRB) governing human subjects research.
AACR and ASCO have designed the Workshop to increase the
reliability and effectiveness of clinical trials by:
• Introducing clinical fellows and junior faculty in any oncology
subspecialty to the principles of good clinical trial design. This
workshop gives them the tools they need to conduct clinical trials
that will yield clear results that investigators can use to proceed
to higher levels of research.
• Exposing clinical scientists to the full spectrum of challenges
in clinical research, including surgery, radiotherapy, conventional
and investigational antineoplastic agents and multidisciplinary
treatment regimens, gene therapy, biologic therapy and
multimodality and combination treatments. Workshop faculty members
seek to inspire participants to devote all or a portion of their
future careers to some aspect of clinical research.
• Developing a cadre of well trained, experienced clinical
researchers whose expertise will foster better clinical trial
design. Such expertise will thereby hasten the introduction of
improved regimens for cancer therapy and prevention into everyday
medical practice and patient care.
In July, the AACR - thanks to the efforts of Dr. Von Hoff - was
awarded a five-year renewal of its NCI grant in the amount of
$1,460,015, which will cover much of the workshop expenses for the
years 2009-2013.
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About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. Research at
TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer,
neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of
translational research where investigators are able to unravel the
genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with
collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen
believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency
and effectiveness of the translational process. TGen is affiliated
with the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
For more information, please visit: www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
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