Grant Will Help Recruit Leaders in GI Cancer

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 21, 2009) The University of Kentucky's Markey Cancer Center received $1.4 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to recruit two junior tenure-track faculty members to conduct translational research focused primarily on gastrointestinal (GI) cancer.

The two-year P30 grant will help to build expanded capacity in the development of prevention and treatment strategies, said Dr. B. Mark Evers, director of the Markey Cancer Center.

"Our goal is to develop a cadre of future Gl cancer investigators who can participate at the intersection of molecular biology, drug discovery and clinical care," Evers said. "We need to build leaders in integrative and team approaches who understand the complex issues of gastrointestinal cancer as they relate to potential prevention and treatment strategies.

The new faculty members will be integrated into a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary group of investigators focused on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of GI cancer. This group consists of basic and clinical scientists, including molecular and cell biologists, clinician-scientists (surgeons, gastroenterologists and medical oncologists), Gl pathologists, epidemiologists and biostatisticians, as well as investigators in the UK College of Pharmacy with successful programs in drug design and delivery.

"Although tremendous strides have been made towards understanding the basic biology of Gl cancers, very few of these advances have been translated into improved outcomes for patients," Evers said. "To accelerate translation of scientific advances into improved clinical outcomes, it is necessary that an investigator function effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team."

Earlier this year, the Markey Cancer Center became one of only six cancer centers nationwide to be designated by the NIH as a Specialized Program in Research Excellence (SPORE) in GI cancer.

Gastrointestinal cancers — which  include tumors of the liver, colon, rectum, esophagus, stomach and pancreas — are the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and No. 9 in deaths from all causes nationwide.