Innovations in Science Archive
Dr. Philippe Bishop shares how you can help a revolutionary new breast cancer study.
Joe Bushkuhl shares how participating in a cancer clinical trial carried on his life's work of helping others.
If you have a family history of cancer, genetic testing can reveal whether you have an inherited susceptibility to the disease. But how do you decide if it's the right choice for you?
"An informed patient is his or her own best champion. In the performing arts, the saying goes that the best actors are the best listeners; in medicine, too, listening is one of the most important skills."
SU2C Dream Team members Stephen Baylin, M.D. and Peter Jones, Ph.D. have committed to unearthing the benefits behind epigenetic therapy and how it could lead to meaningful progress in the treatment of various types of cancer.
Last May you helped launch Stand Up To Cancer, a groundbreaking initiative funding translational cancer research with the aim of getting promising new therapies from the bench to the bedside – and doing it fast. (You can read more about translational research here.) Thanks to your incredible generosity and support, SU2C has raised over $100 million in the short twelve months since its launch. But this is only the beginning.
There are currently around 50,000 clinical trials underway in the US, according to the Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation; but 80% of these are delayed at least a month because of unfulfilled enrollment. In a medical climate where new drugs can take up to 15 years to reach the market, every minute counts. So why do clinical trials still face recruitment problems?
At the heart of SU2C’s funding model – which you can read in its entirety here – is an emphasis on translational research. The majority of funds raised by the initiative will go to multidisciplinary “dream teams” collaborating on this type of research. But what exactly is it, and why is it so important?
We are at a critical moment in the history of cancer research. Recent discoveries in science and technology have dramatically altered and increased our understanding of the biological events that lead to cancer. This new knowledge paves the way for improving diagnosis as well as developing better therapies and preventive strategies.
Why do some patients benefit from a course of therapy while others don’t? And how do we tailor therapies to optimize their effects against cancer cells while steering clear of healthy cells and tissue?