Newly Designated NCI Director Roundly Applauded by Cancer Community

Publication
Article
OncologyONCOLOGY Vol 16 No 2
Volume 16
Issue 2

The cancer community is expressing unanimous approval of President George W. Bush’s appointment of Andrew von Eschenbach, MD, as director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Dr. von Eschenbach was director of the Genitourinary Cancer Center and Prostate Cancer Research Program at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. "[His] extensive experience in cancer research, treatment, and prevention has prepared him extraordinarily well to head the NCI," said Larry Norton, MD, president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. "As both a recognized leader in the oncology community and as a cancer survivor, Andy brings a distinctive perspective to this position."

The cancer community is expressing unanimous approvalof President George W. Bush’s appointment of Andrew von Eschenbach, MD, asdirector of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Dr. von Eschenbach was directorof the Genitourinary Cancer Center and Prostate Cancer Research Program at theUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. "[His] extensiveexperience in cancer research, treatment, and prevention has prepared himextraordinarily well to head the NCI," said Larry Norton, MD, president ofthe American Society of Clinical Oncology. "As both a recognized leader inthe oncology community and as a cancer survivor, Andy brings a distinctiveperspective to this position."

Dr. Von Eschenbach has also been active in the American Cancer Society (ACS).He served recently as president-elect of the ACS’s national volunteer Board ofDirectors. John R. Seffrin, the ACS’s national chief executive officer, said,"As the chair of our cancer control committee and numerous other postswithin the Society throughout the years, Dr. von Eschenbach has proven hiscompassion and commitment to eradicating cancer as a major health threat hereand now. The National Cancer Institute will do well by his leadership andpassion."

Recent Videos
STX-478 showed efficacy in patients with advanced solid tumors regardless of whether they had kinase domain or helical PI3K mutations.
Lisa J. States, MD, discussed further steps for improving early detection and screening methods in patients with Li–Fraumeni syndrome.
STX-478 may avoid adverse effects associated with prior PI3K inhibitors that lack selectivity for the mutated protein vs the wild-type protein.
9 Experts are featured in this series.
9 Experts are featured in this series.
Additional genetic testing measures and targeted therapies may improve outcomes for patients with diverse molecular subgroups of gastric cancers.
Phase 1 data may show the possibility of rationally designing agents that can preferentially target PI3K mutations in solid tumors.
Funding a clinical trial to further assess liquid biopsy in patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome may help with detecting cancers early across the board.
4 KOLs are featured in this series.
Related Content