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- Posted Tuesday April 8, 2014
TGen's Dr. Michael Barrett awarded $200,000 grant at national cancer conference in San Diego
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the American Association for Cancer Research combined to issue $5 million in grants to the nation's 'outstanding scientists'
PHOENIX, Ariz. - April 8, 2014 - The Pancreatic
Cancer Action Network and the American Association for Cancer
Research (AACR) awarded a $200,000 grant today to Dr. Michael
Barrett of the Translational Genomics Research Institute
(TGen).
Dr. Barrett, an Associate Professor in TGen's Clinical
Translational Research Division, was one of 14 "outstanding
scientists" across the nation named to receive a total of $5
million in grants for pancreatic cancer research.
The grants were announced during the AACR Annual Meeting 2014 in
San Diego, April 5-9. With more than 34,000 members, AACR is the
world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to
advancing cancer research.
Specifically, Dr. Barrett was one of five scientists to receive a
2014 Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-AACR Innovative Grant,
"intended to promote the development and study of novel ideas and
approaches in basic, translational, clinical, or epidemiological
research that have direct application and relevance to pancreatic
cancer."
Dr. Barrett's project, "Genomic drivers of therapeutic responses
in metastatic disease," will investigate the molecular
underpinnings of how and why pancreatic cancer spreads to other
parts of the body.
"The fundamental hypothesis of this application is that distinct
clonal tumor populations that arise during the natural history of
pancreatic cancer mediate the clinical responses in patients with
metastatic pancreatic cancer," Dr. Barrett said.
"The vision of our work is to bring together advanced genome
technologies and the clinical resources available through TGen and
our various collaborators to make an immediate impact in the lives
of patients with pancreatic cancer and other malignancies," said
Dr. Barrett, who also is a consultant with the Mayo Clinic Cancer
Center-Arizona.
The grants support research into high-priority areas in an effort
to reach the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's goal to double
pancreatic cancer survival by 2020.
"The most promising science has been selected for funding through
a rigorous peer-review process. This year's grant recipients hail
from leading institutions throughout the country and range from
early career investigators continuing to build the field of
pancreatic cancer leaders to more senior scientists," said Julie
Fleshman, president and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action
Network. "Their collective efforts have the potential to answer
important questions that could lead to significant scientific
advances for pancreatic cancer, and ultimately improve patient
outcomes. We look forward to working with our new grantees and
welcoming them to our team."
Pancreatic cancer annually takes the lives of more than 38,000
Americans, making it the fourth leading cause of cancer death in
the U.S. A staggering 75 percent of those diagnosed die within the
first year, and only 6 percent survive more than five years.
"Pancreatic cancer is among the most deadly of cancers," said
Margaret Foti, Ph.D., M.D. (h.c.), and Chief Executive Officer of
AACR. "With death rates steadily climbing over the past decade,
more research into pancreatic cancer is urgently needed. The AACR
is, therefore, proud to be partnering with the Pancreatic Cancer
Action Network to support cutting-edge scientific research projects
that have the potential to lead to major breakthroughs in the
prevention, detection, and treatment of this devastating
disease."
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, in collaboration with the
AACR, introduced the grants program in 2003, and has since awarded
108 research grants totaling more than $22 million to bright and
motivated scientists across the country with the goals of
developing a pipeline of researchers dedicated to studying the
disease, supporting innovative ideas and approaches, and enabling
the organization to reach its 2020 goal.
# # #
About the American Association for Cancer
Research
Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research
(AACR) is the world's oldest and largest professional organization
dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent
and cure cancer. AACR membership includes more than 34,000
laboratory, translational, and clinical researchers; population
scientists; other health care professionals; and cancer advocates
residing in more than 90 countries. The AACR marshals the full
spectrum of expertise of the cancer community to accelerate
progress in the prevention, biology, diagnosis, and treatment of
cancer by annually convening more than 20 conferences and
educational workshops, the largest of which is the AACR Annual
Meeting with more than 18,000 attendees. In addition, the AACR
publishes eight peer-reviewed scientific journals and a magazine
for cancer survivors, patients, and their caregivers. The AACR
funds meritorious research directly as well as in cooperation with
numerous cancer organizations. As the Scientific Partner of Stand
Up To Cancer, the AACR provides expert peer review, grants
administration, and scientific oversight of team science and
individual grants in cancer research that have the potential for
near-term patient benefit. The AACR actively communicates with
legislators and policymakers about the value of cancer research and
related biomedical science in saving lives from cancer. For more
information about the AACR, visit www.AACR.org. Follow the
AACR Twitter: @AACR. Follow the AACR on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aacr.org.
Follow the AACR Annual Meeting 2014 on Twitter: #AACR14
Media Contact:
Lauren Riley
American Association for Cancer Research
215-446-7155
[email protected]
In San Diego,
April 5-9:
412-559-5553
*
About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the national
organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research,
patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The
organization is leading the way to increase the survival rate for
people diagnosed with this devastating disease through a bold
initiative-The Vision of Progress: Double Pancreatic Cancer
Survival by 2020. Together, we can know, fight and end pancreatic
cancer by intensifying our efforts to heighten awareness, raise
funds for comprehensive private research, and advocate for
dedicated federal research to advance early diagnostics, better
treatments and increase chances of survival. For more information,
go to www.pancan.org. Follow the Pancreatic
Cancer Action Network on Twitter: @pancan
Media Contact:
Anne Milo
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
[email protected]
310-706-3357
In San Diego,
April 6-8:
562-810-3016
*
About TGen
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused
on helping patients with cancer, neurological disorders and
diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process
of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen
physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of
both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children.
Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical
communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial
contribution to help our patients through efficiency and
effectiveness of the translational process. For more information,
visit:www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]