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- Posted Thursday February 13, 2014
TGen Physician-In-Chief Dr. Daniel Von Hoff inducted today into Joshua Lederberg Society
Dr. Von Hoff is honored for advancing FDA approved treatment benefiting pancreatic cancer patients
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Feb. 13, 2014 - Dr. Daniel D.
Von Hoff, Distinguished Professor and Physician-In-Chief of the Translational
Genomics Research Institute (TGen), will be inducted today into
the Joshua Lederberg Society for his work in developing the drug
Abraxane for advanced pancreatic cancer patients.
The Lederberg Society is named for the late Dr. Joshua Lederberg,
a Nobel Prize laureate and leader in bacterial genetics whose
expertise and guidance played a key role in the birth of Celgene, a
global biopharmaceutical company that produces Abraxane.
Dr. Von Hoff, who is considered among the nation's leading
authorities on pancreatic cancer, will present a talk during his
induction ceremony at 1 p.m. ET today at Celgene headquarters in
Summit, N.J. This is the 7th induction ceremony of the Lederberg
Society, which annually honors no more than two new members whose
work has changed the practice of medicine.
"Dr. Von Hoff's life long achievements in pancreatic cancer
treatment and research are truly remarkable, but even more
remarkable is his commitment to the patients who benefit from his
tireless efforts on their behalf," said Dr. Jeffrey Trent, TGen
President and Research Director. "I can think of no one more
deserving of this award than Dr. Von Hoff."
Dr. Von Hoff was the principal investigator of MPACT (Metastatic
Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Clinical Trial), a multi-year
international study involving 861 patients, at 151 community and
academic centers in 11 nations in North America, Europe and
Australia.
The study, whose findings were published Oct. 31 in the
prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, found that
Abraxane (nab-paclitaxel), when combined with the previous standard
therapy, gemcitabine, significantly improved overall survival,
progression-free survival, and drug response rates for patients
with advanced pancreatic cancer. As a result of the study, the FDA
on Sept. 6 approved Abraxane as a front-line therapy for such
patients. In December, the European Commission also granted its
approval.
"This is a new standard for treatment of metastatic pancreatic
cancer that could become the backbone for other new treatment
regimens," said Dr. Von Hoff at the time of the FDA approval. "The
fact that Abraxane plus gemcitabine demonstrated an overall
survival benefit is a significant step forward in offering new hope
for our patients."
Abraxane wraps traditional chemotherapy, paclitaxel, in near-nano
sized shells of albumin, a protein that the tumor could recognize
as food. Once inside the tumor, the Abraxane may act like a "Trojan
Horse" to release chemotherapy and kill the cancer cells.
Dr. Von Hoff also was the principal investigator for the first
clinical trial of gemcitabine, the first therapy to show
improvement in survival for patients with pancreatic cancer. The
FDA approved gemcitabine in 1996.
The pancreas is a glandular organ behind the stomach that secretes
enzymes to help digestion, and produces hormones, including
insulin, which helps regulate blood-sugar metabolism.
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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]