OHSU Cancer Institute Prostate Cancer Program Tapped For Nation's Top Clinical Research Program

 "The DoD Prostate Cancer Research Project is pleased to support this innovative project by Dr. Tomasz Beer, his collaborators, and the OHSU Cancer Institute, to address a critical issue in prostate cancer - the identification of new therapeutic drugs to treat men with prostate cancer," said Col. Janet R. Harris, M.S.N., Ph.D., director of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.

The Clinical Consortium Award program was established to speed the development of new drugs and treatments for prostate cancer by bringing together the nation's leading research programs to collaborate on clinical trials.

 "This means that, through the OHSU Cancer Institute, Oregon men will have access to studies available at other top programs in the nation without leaving the state, and that men throughout the country will have access to OHSU-led studies," said Tomasz Beer, M.D., director of the prostate cancer program in the OHSU Cancer Institute. "We will work with the top programs in the nation, sharing knowledge, tools and technology to accelerate prostate cancer research and care."

Programs selected to participate as clinical research sites include those at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Michigan, University of California-San Francisco, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dana Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard University, and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas. Memorial Sloane-Kettering Cancer Center will serve as the coordinating center.

 "It is a tremendous honor for our Prostate Cancer Research Program to be recognized in this way," said Grover Bagby, M.D., director of the OHSU Cancer Institute, the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer research and care center in Oregon.

The Clinical Consortium Award includes approximately $900,000 to support Beer's research efforts over the life of the three-year award.

About a dozen clinical trials examining new ways to extend life and alleviate side effects of treatment are available through the prostate cancer program at the OHSU Cancer Institute. These include studies testing the effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing therapy-related hot flashes and studies of dietary supplements for prostate cancer prevention, as well as a range of new drugs with considerable promise.

 "Many times, cancer clinical trials may represent the state of the art care in cases where there is no standard care available or the subjects in the studies have failed to respond to current standard treatment. These studies are designed so that subjects receive appropriate and thoughtful care for their cancer," Beer said. "In addition, the contribution that the subjects make to the art and science of treating cancer is immeasurable."

The OHSU Cancer Institute comprises some 200 clinical researchers and basic scientists who work together to translate scientific understanding into longer and better lives for cancer patients. Visit ohsucancer.com for more information about the OHSU Cancer Institute.