DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

Welcome to the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.  Our Center, now in its 19th year of continuous NCI funding, has held Comprehensive status since 1997 and now coordinates all cancer research throughout northern Ohio.

We have just completed our 5 year renewal process review by the NCI.  I am exceptionally gratified that the hard work of our membership has earned the merit rating of "OUTSTANDING," and that in our formal review summary, the NCI referred to our promising future among the "top tier" cancer centers.  Our Center is an evolving, innovative center emphasizing the translation of discovery into patient based research and clinical trials for the treatment of cancer.

In 2004, we expanded our institutional and membership base from the founding partnership between Ireland Cancer Center of University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) by including Cleveland Clinic.  This has opened new avenues for collaboration, strengthening and expanding our scientific and clinical programs.

We are in the process of expanding even further by providing oversight and coordination of clinical trials research with MetroHealth Medical Center and throughout the region's community cancer care sites affiliated with CWRU, University Hospitals Case Medical Center and Cleveland Clinic.  These additional sites will help expand the impact of clinical trials, health equality, early detection and screening, and family cancer cluster research.

Our research focus continues to evolve.  Nine new basic science of cancer focus groups have formed to facilitate multi-investigator initiatives.  Research groups planning proposal submissions are centered around cancer imaging, leukemogenesis, colon cancer, melanoma, TGFβ, breast cancer, prostate cancer, GVHD, and lung cancer, to name a few.  Details are noted within our scientific programs.

Reflecting the inclusive and far reaching nature of our organization, our Senior Leadership and Program Leadership are drawn from our affiliated institutions.  I am delighted with the internationally acclaimed accomplishments of our Senior Leaders: Derek Raghavan, MD, PhD, Associate Director for Taussig Cancer Center; George Stark, PhD, Associate Director for Basic Research; Janet Houghton, PhD, Associate Director for Lerner Research Institute; Li Li, MD, PhD, Associate Director for Prevention Research; and Clark Distelhorst, MD, Associate Director for Training and Education.  Susann Brady-Kalnay, PhD, joins as Director of the Cancer Biology Training Program.  We have added two Associate Directors in recognition of the increased reliance on research infrastructure.  They are James Jacobberger, PhD, Associate Director for Shared Resources and Mark Schluchter, PhD, Associate Director for Biostatistics.  Anne Duli serves as Associate Director for Administration and Finance, and manages the activities and budget for all components of the Center.  Together, the Senior Leaders develop the long term strategy, vision and priorities of the Cancer Center while promoting a cohesive proactive approach to interdisciplinary cancer research.

The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center has 300+ collaborating scientists and physicians who have successfully competed for over $160 million in annual funding.  These investigators are organized into 9 Scientific Programs and have full access to 17 Scientific Core Facilities and related support services.

In 2005-2006, over 7,300 new cancer patients were treated at its clinical facilities under Ireland Cancer Center and Taussig Cancer Center; about 17% of these patients participated in therapeutic clinical trials sponsored by the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.

With 3.9 million people throughout northeast Ohio, a region with a higher than average cancer mortality rate, the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center supports cancer prevention efforts throughout Ohio and contributes to national and international research efforts to improve cancer outcomes.

Cure, after all, is what we seek.  We will continue to emphasize collaborative efforts that translate basic research discoveries into preclinical analysis and evaluation in human cancers and then directly into clinical trials of innovative treatment for patients with cancer.  As the hub for cancer research in Cleveland, we recognize what the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center means to our community and we are eager to fulfill its potential.

Stanton L. Gerson, MD
Director
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
slg5@case.edu