The National Foundation for Cancer Research and Penn State University launch new Center for Metastatic Cancer Research

National Foundation for Cancer Research
Thursday, 28 March 2002

The National Foundation for Cancer Research and Penn State University today announced the formation of a New Center for Metastatic Cancer Research to be based at Penn State, Hershey working with the University of Chicago, with the goal of finding out what causes cancer to metastasize or spread - and how the spread of cancer to the bones of an individual can be prevented.

To achieve this goal, NFCR has assembled a team of investigators who have expertise in the many scientific disciplines necessary to fully study the process of metastasis in the areas of breast cancer, prostate cancer and bone biology. The Center will be linked with seven other centers around the world to share collaborative information to help cure cancer.

"Cancer is one of the most devastating diseases to families around the world and we are excited that Penn State and NFCR will be playing such an important role in the eventual cure," said Joan McAndrew, president of the Pennsylvania Cancer Research Chapter and organizer of an annual golf tournament in Hazelton, PA that raises funds to support metastatic cancer research. "It is particularly rewarding to know that the combined efforts of many Hazleton area businesses and individuals have helped to make the establishment of this new Center at Penn State at Hershey a reality."

Danny Welch, Ph.D. of the Jake Gittlen Cancer Research Institute at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center was named Director of the new center. Dr. Welch is widely credited with identifying several genes that block metastasis in breast cancer and melanoma. One gene, called breast cancer metastasis suppressor or BRMS1, could be a key to prevent the growth of cancerous tumors when they escape from the original tumor.

Dr. Welch cites this new partnership as a crucial step towards unraveling the answers to one of cancer's more difficult challenges.

"Metastasis is the ultimate step in a tumor cell's progression toward autonomy from the host and it is a highly complex process," says Welch. "What makes this group so special is how we are bringing together people from the cancer fields and bone fields. This alliance of researchers with different, but complementary, expertise could help us make significant inroads in ultimately preventing the spread of cancer."

Research at the Center will focus initially on metastasis to the bone. Two of the most common cancers -- breast and prostate -- exhibit propensity to metastasize to bone, yet the number of studies in these areas is limited.

"Dr. Welch is one of the world's leading scientists in metastatic cancer research and his work in this field we believe will one day lead to a cure for breast cancer, prostate cancer and many other types of cancer," said Dr. Sujuan Ba, science director for the NFCR.

Since it's founding in 1973, the National Foundation for Cancer Research has provided more than $180 million to fund basic science cancer research in the laboratory. NFCR's support of discovery-oriented basic science cancer research in the laboratory has helped redefine cancer as a molecular disease and opened the way for better prevention strategies, earlier diagnostic techniques and new anticancer drugs and treatments. NFCR is about Research for a Cure and is dedicated to discovering cancer's molecular mysteries and translating these discoveries into therapies. For more information, visit them on the web at www.NFCR.org or call (800) 321-CURE.

For more information, or to contact National Foundation for Cancer Research, see their website at: www.researchforacure.com