World-renown physician-scientist honored at genomic medicine
conference for 'pioneering efforts'
LA JOLLA, Calif. - March 17, 2011 - Dr. Daniel Von Hoff was
presented this month with the Scripps Genomic Medicine Award for
his "pioneering efforts" in sequencing, or spelling out, the DNA of
patients with rare cancers.
Dr. Von Hoff's research and clinical work advances the art of using
the fully sequenced genomes of cancer patients, spelling out all 3
billion letters of their DNA, to help determine the best course of
treatment.
"I am extremely humbled and honored to receive this award on behalf
of all the institutes, medical centers and oncology groups I'm
associated with. Through this work, we are trying to improve things
for every patient," said Dr. Von Hoff, who holds the titles of
Physician-in-Chief and Distinguished Professor at the Translational
Genomics Research Institute (TGen); Professor of Medicine at both
Mayo Clinic and at the University of Arizona College of Medicine;
and Chief Scientific Officer at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center
at Scottsdale Healthcare and at US Oncology.
Dr. Von Hoff is recognized as one of the world's leading
authorities on pancreatic cancer. Some of his most recent work
involves the comparative analysis of the fully sequenced genomes of
patients with rare cancers and with triple-negative breast cancer,
identifying the mutations in the DNA of the patients' tumors and
using that information to help guide future treatment of this rare
and challenging disease.
Dr. Eric J. Topol, Director of the Scripps Translational Science
Institute (STSI), presented the Genomic Medicine award to Dr. Von
Hoff, citing his "pioneering efforts" in whole genome sequencing as
a tool for matching a patient's genetic makeup with treatments that
will provide the best quality of life.
"Dr. Von Hoff's work represents the future of medicine, in which
information gleaned from the complex assemblage of an individual's
DNA can be used to target deadly tumors, even among patients with
rare cancers," said Dr. Topol, who also is Chief Academic Officer
of Scripps Health, and Professor of Translational Genomics at the
Scripps Research Institute.
The award was presented to Dr. Von Hoff during the Future of
Genomic Medicine IV conference, March 3-4, at the Robert Paine
Scripps Forum for Science, Society and the Environment, Samuel H.
Scripps Auditorium, in La Jolla, Calif.
Physicians, health care professional, human geneticists, genomic
scientists and researchers attended the conference. This
fourth installment of the Future of Genomic Medicine conference
focused on the extraordinary advances occurring in the field,
including whole genome and exome sequencing, new gene expression
tests for routine medical practice, and consumer genomics. The
overarching goal of the annual conference is to spearhead efforts
to change medicine by using genomics.
Like all who work with Dr. Von Hoff, the STSI aims to replace the
status quo of one-size-fits-all-medicine with individualized health
care that is based on the known genetic factors influencing health
and disease.
Under the leadership of Dr. Topol, one of the world's premier
cardiologists and physician/scientists, STSI has created major
programs in both research and education-training that bridge
science with medicine, and academia with industry.
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About Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI)
Founded in 2006, Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI) is
an initiative of Scripps Health, in collaboration with The Scripps
Research Institute. STSI initiates research designed to help
move basic research from the lab to the patient bedside, bridging
the gap between basic science and clinical trials. Scripps Genomic
Medicine is a division of STSI and involves genotyping tens of
thousands of individuals to identify and define genes responsible
for major diseases and the underpinnings of health. STSI is
supported by the NIH flagship program, Clinical and Translational
Science Award (CTSA). For more information, visit
www.stsiweb.org.
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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, visit: www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
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About the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale
Healthcare
The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare offers
diagnosis, treatment, research, prevention and support in its
facilities at the Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center,
attracting patients from across Arizona and the U.S. Groundbreaking
cancer research is conducted through its Scottsdale Healthcare
Research Institute in collaboration with TGen and leading
universities. Scottsdale Healthcare is the not-for-profit parent
organization of the Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center,
Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center and Scottsdale
Healthcare Thompson Peak Hospital, Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center,
Scottsdale Healthcare Research Institute and Scottsdale Healthcare
Foundation. For additional information, please visit
www.shc.org.
Press Contact:
Keith Jones
Director of Public Relations
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare
480-882-4412
[email protected]
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About US Oncology
US Oncology, Inc., a division of McKesson Corp., is a leading
integrated oncology company. By uniting one of the largest
community-based cancer treatment and research networks in America,
US Oncology expands patient access to high-quality care and
advances the science of cancer care. Headquartered in The
Woodlands, Texas, US Oncology is affiliated with 1,400
community-based oncologists, and works with patients, hospitals,
payers, and the medical industry across all phases of the cancer
research and delivery continuum. By promoting the use of innovative
technology, clinical research, evidence-based medicine and shared
best practices, US Oncology improves patient outcomes and offers a
better patient experience. For more information, visit
www.usoncology.com .
US Oncology conducts clinical research through US Oncology
Research, its wholly-owned subsidiary uniting one of the nation's
largest community-based cancer research networks. US Oncology
Research has experienced investigators and dedicated research
nurses who specialize in Phase I through Phase IV oncology clinical
trials. US Oncology Research serves more than 90 sites in 200
locations managing more than 200 active trials at any given time.
Physicians in the research network have enrolled more than 47,000
patients in more than 1,100 trials since inception in 1992 and has
contributed to the development of 43 cancer therapies approved by
the FDA. For more information call (866) 216-5053 or visit
www.usoncology.com/oncologists.
Press Contact:
Jennifer Horspool
Director, Corporate Communications
US Oncology
281-863-6739
[email protected]