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- Posted Thursday April 24, 2014
Dr. Michael S. Gordon named new Medical Director for Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials
Dr. Gordon will oversee internationally recognized Phase I clinical trials program, a partnership of Scottsdale Healthcare and TGen
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - April 24, 2014 - Dr.
Michael S. Gordon, one of the greater Phoenix area's leading
medical oncologists and cancer researchers, has been named the new
Medical Director for the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical
Trials, a partnership of Scottsdale Healthcare and the Translational
Genomics Research Institute (TGen).
Dr. Gordon will oversee the center's internationally recognized
Phase I clinical trials program, which is known for its leadership
in first-in-human studies of new cancer therapies.
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials is a leading
clinical research site for Phase I studies of new cancer drugs. It
is often among the first in the world to offer a new
investigational drug for eligible patients with a broad range of
cancers.
Dr. Gordon is a medical oncologist who serves as CEO of Pinnacle
Oncology Hematology, a division of Arizona Center for Cancer Care,
in Scottsdale, focusing on translational research and the care and
management of cancer patients seeking Phase I and Phase II clinical
trials. He is a Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine at the
University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix, and is
actively engaged in the education of medical students as
co-director of the Oncology Block.
Dr. Gordon's principal research interests are in development of
new cancer therapies with a focus on targeted and immunologic
therapies as well as drugs that affect angiogenesis (tumor blood
vessel supply). Avastin®, Perjeta® and Neumega® are among the drugs
Dr. Gordon has helped validate for FDA approval. His disease
focuses include kidney cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, lung
cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and ovarian
cancer.
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials, through its
relationships with top physician scientists, biotechnology and
pharmaceutical companies world wide, offers a variety of
early-phase cancer research studies providing local impact to the
citizens of Arizona, according to Dr. Gordon.
"The care and management of patients with cancer and associated
diagnoses is rapidly evolving. The ability to provide patients with
cutting-edge treatments has the potential to transform the way
cancer care is delivered. The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at
Scottsdale Healthcare has always been a leader in this regard and
its relationships with its community partners defines Scottsdale
Healthcare's commitment to our patients and our community," said
Dr. Gordon.
"I look forward to working with my colleagues and to the evolution
of a new dynamic as we work to accelerate the access to new cancer
drugs to our patients in need. By focusing on innovation in a
collaborative spirit with our community physicians, we reinforce
our primary commitment to our patients and their families," he
continued.
Dr. Gordon specifically noted the strength of the talent in
Scottsdale and their commitment to excellence. "Our programs have a
tremendous core of individuals at all levels of clinical research
and primary patient care who ensure that we do the best work
possible, drawing greater focus on Scottsdale as the "go to" place
for cancer drug development."
The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare and
Scottsdale Healthcare Research Institute are known for
collaborations with leading genomic scientists, academic centers
and community-based physicians such as the Arizona Center for
Cancer Care, Palo Verde Hematology Oncology and Arizona Oncology
Associates, said Mark Slater, Ph.D., chief executive, Scottsdale
Healthcare Research Institute.
"We will continue to collaborate with our community physicians,
our partners at the Translational Genomics Research Institute
(TGen), Translational Drug Development (TD2), nationally recognized
universities and others to better serve our community and
accelerate breakthrough innovations for cancer treatment," added
Dr. Slater.
Examples of recent successes in accelerating new drug development
at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center are skin cancer drug
Erivedge® and the use of Abraxane for treating pancreatic cancer.
Both worldwide studies were led in Scottsdale by Dr. Daniel D. Von
Hoff, Chief Scientific Officer of the Virginia G. Piper Cancer
Center at Scottsdale Healthcare and TGen Physician-in-Chief.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Erivedge® for
advanced basal cell carcinoma in January 2012 and approved Abraxane
in combination with standard therapy for pancreatic cancer in
September 2013.
"We are honing in on the pathways to help tailor the right drug to
the right patient at the right time," said Dr. Von Hoff. "This is
an exciting era of precision medicine and the Virginia G. Piper
Cancer Center Clinical Trials program at Scottsdale Healthcare
provides unprecedented access to new therapies for people in our
community."
Dr. Ramesh Ramanathan, an investigator at Virginia G. Piper Cancer
Center Clinical Trials specializing in treatment of
gastrointestinal cancers, agreed that the program will benefit from
the inclusion of Dr. Gordon.
"My passion is cancer research and I look forward to growing our
program along with Dr. Gordon, Dr. Von Hoff and everyone involved
in this important work at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at
Scottsdale Healthcare. I'm optimistic that we can continue our
strong track record of success as we battle this disease," said Dr.
Ramanathan, who is also a Senior Investigator and Clinical
Professor at TGen and the University of Arizona College of Medicine
in Phoenix.
"Our campus is becoming the epicenter of research activity across
the Scottsdale Lincoln Health Network, and we are creating an
infrastructure that continues to attract top talent to our
organization," added Gary Baker, Senior Vice President and CEO,
Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center.
Baker noted that the depth of science through the diagnostic and
genomic capabilities available to local cancer patients is a key
benefit of the inclusiveness and collaborative spirit fostered
within the Scottsdale Healthcare Research Institute.
"It's a great example of locally based, yet nationally respected
leading researchers, community physicians and clinical teams
working together to develop new therapies and innovative treatments
that benefit patients here in Arizona and across the United
States," concluded Dr. Ron Korn, Medical Director of the Virginia
G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare.
The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare
opened in 2001 as the first major cancer center in greater Phoenix,
offering comprehensive cancer care and research through Phase I
clinical trials, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and support
services in collaboration with leading researchers and community
oncologists.
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials is known worldwide
for its expertise in studying new treatments for pancreatic cancer.
It is a co-lead site with Dr. Von Hoff as the principal
investigator for Stand Up To Cancer's Pancreatic Cancer Dream Team
comprised of scientists working to develop new treatments for
pancreatic cancer.
The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare, an
affiliate of the Scottsdale Lincoln Health Network, is designated
by the Association of Community Cancer Centers as a Community
Resource Center for Pancreatic Cancer and holds Accreditation with
Commendation from the Commission on Cancer of the American College
of Surgeons.
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About the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale
Healthcare
The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare in
Scottsdale, Ariz. offers comprehensive cancer treatment and
research through clinical trials, diagnosis, treatment, prevention
and support services in collaboration with leading scientific
researchers and community oncologists. The Virginia G. Piper Cancer
Center at Scottsdale Healthcare, Scottsdale Healthcare Research
Institute, Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center, Scottsdale
Healthcare Shea Medical Center and Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson
Peak Hospital and related entities are part of the non-profit
Scottsdale Lincoln Health Network. For more information, visit: www.shc.org.
Press Contact:
Keith Jones
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare
480-323-1383
[email protected]
*
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]