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- Posted Thursday March 27, 2014
TGen and Scottsdale Healthcare cancer expert Dr. Daniel D. Von Hoff is honored by the Hope Funds for Cancer Research
Dr. Von Hoff recognized for work in developing new cancer therapeutics
PHOENIX, Ariz. - March 27, 2014 - Dr. Daniel D.
Von Hoff, who has been instrumental in developing numerous new
cancer treatments, is among this year's recipients of the Award of
Excellence from the Hope Funds for Cancer Research.
Dr. Von Hoff, M.D., FACP, who is Physician-In-Chief and
Distinguished Professor at the Translational Genomics Research
Institute (TGen), and Chief Scientific Officer for
Scottsdale Healthcare's Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center Clinical
Trials, will receive the 2014 Hope Funds Award of Excellence in
Medicine.
The Hope Funds for Cancer Research is dedicated to advancing
innovative research for the most difficult-to-treat cancers.
Dr. Von Hoff is being recognized for his work over the past decade
in the clinical development of many new cancer treatments. He was
nominated by past recipients, and selected by the Hope Funds Board
of Trustees.
His accomplishments will be celebrated April 24 at the 2014 Award
of Excellence Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The gala provides support for programmatic activities and raises
funds for postdoctoral fellowships in cancer research.
Dr. Von Hoff is a medical oncologist and oncology drug developer
whose major interest is in the development of new anticancer
agents. His clinical research is conducted at Virginia G.
Piper Cancer Center Clinical Trials at Scottsdale Healthcare, a
partnership between Scottsdale Healthcare and TGen in Scottsdale,
Ariz.
Among the other five recipients of the 2014 Hope Funds Award is
Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. James D. Watson, best known as the
co-discoverer in 1953 of the double-helix structure of DNA, a
scientific turning point in the understanding of life. Dr. Watson
is receiving a special Award of Excellence for Extraordinary
Achievement. Other recipients of this year's Award of Excellence
are: Dr. Tyler Jacks forBasic Science; Dr. Charles L. Sawyers
for Clinical Development;and Dr. Jan Vilcek for
Advocacy.
"With the occasion to celebrate the greatest living scientist of
the 20th Century (Watson) along with this year's Honorees,
plusour pastHonorees, this will be a gathering
ofmany of the greatest minds in the field of cancer
research," Dr. Malcolm A.S. Moore, Chairman of the Board of
Trustees for the Hope Funds for Cancer Research, said in a press
release.
At the gala, Hope Funds will present its Awards of Excellence in
recognition of outstanding achievements in the fields of basic
research, drug development, medicine, patient support and
philanthropy.
"This event, a white tie dinner set in the shadow of an ancient
Egyptian temple, will highlight a remarkable group of scientists
who are making a radical difference in cancer research. It is truly
an extraordinary experience," Bill Rueckert, Honorary co-chair of
the 2014 Gala said in a press release.
Dr. Von Hoff and his colleagues have conducted early clinical
investigations of many new cancer agents, including: gemcitabine,
docetaxel, paclitaxel, topotecan, irinotecan, fludarabine,
mitoxantrone, dexrazoxane, nab-paclitaxel, vismodegib, and others.
These treatments are helping many patients with breast, ovarian,
prostate, colon, leukemia, advanced basil cell and pancreatic
cancers.
"I am truly honored to be included in the company of such
distinguished physicians and scientists whose work has been
furthered by the Hope Funds for Cancer Research," said Dr. Von
Hoff. "This recognition not only celebrates past accomplishments,
but also is a reflection of the advances we are making right now
for the benefit of our patients."
He and his colleagues are concentrating on the development of
molecularly targeted therapies for individual patients with
cancer.His other major accomplishment is the development of
two specific treatments, which have improved the survival for
patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Von Hoffalso is Professor of Medicine at both Mayo
Clinic Scottsdale and the University of Arizona College of
Medicine; and Chief Scientific Officer at US Oncology.
Dr. Von Hoff graduated cum laude from Carroll University,
and received his M.D. from Columbia University College of
Physicians and Surgeons. He completed his internship and residency
in internal medicine at the University of California, San
Francisco, then completed a medical oncology fellowship at the
National Cancer Institute. Dr. Von Hoff served a six-year term on
President Bush's National Cancer Advisory Board (2004-10).
He is a Fellow and past President of the American Association for
CancerResearch(AACR), the world's largest cancer
research organization; a Fellow of the American College of
Physicians; and a member and past board member of the American
Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Dr. Von Hoff is a founder of
ILEX™ Oncology, Inc. (acquired by Genzyme after Ilex had 2 agents,
alemtuzumab and clofarabine approved by the FDA for patients with
leukemia). He received ASCO's 2010 David A. Karnofsky Memorial
Award for his outstanding contributions to cancer research leading
to significant improvement in patient care.
# # #
About the Hope Funds for Cancer Research
The Hope Funds for Cancer Research was formed in 2006 to establish
a funding vehicle that would take a rational scientific, medical,
and investment approach to making grants for the most interesting
and promising research efforts to address the most
difficult-to-treat cancers, including pancreatic, lung, liver,
sarcomas, esophageal, brain, gastric, boneand ovarian
cancers; and rare leukemias, lymphomas and MDS.The Trustees
of the Hope Funds believe that funding research that could lead to
breakthroughs in these areas and increase life expectancy in these
types of cancers is at the core of its mission.Hope Funds for
Cancer Research is an independent and unaffiliated non-profit
organization under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service's
code. For additional information about the organization, please
visit: www.hope-funds.org or call
401-847-3286.
*
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:
Jamie Grim
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare
480-323-1387
[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]
