Director's Message - Fall 2011

WV has the second highest cancer mortality rate in the nation and significant cancer health disparities. At the MBRCC we recognize the urgent need to address the challenges that contribute to the state’s cancer burden and are making every effort to improve the health not only of our own patients but of people throughout West Virginia.

Our goals include growing our scientific programs by recruiting more basic and clinical investigators, building the infrastructure needed to support their work, and partnering with other universities and healthcare providers throughout West Virginia. In so doing, we will move our cancer center toward National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation – the gold standard in cancer research. NCI cancer centers have become the major platform for moving fundamental discoveries in cancer from the laboratory to applications in people. .

While we continue to strengthen our scientific and clinical pursuits, we are excited about the work being done here at WVU to advance cancer care. Our researchers are among the brightest and best in the country and we are proud to share some of their innovative cancer research with you. In this issue of the MBRCC Review includes a feature on Elena Pugacheva, who’s identified a novel therapeutic target for metastatic breast cancer. Others highlighted are Peter Stoilov from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Erik Bey from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, who are new to our research team.

On the clinical side, Doctors Mohamad Salkini, Olusola Oduntan, and Tanya Fancy, are excellent surgeons who have joined our cancer care team. Our partnerships to develop a statewide clinical trials network and increase access to mammography throughout West Virginia continue to grow. Most recently, our Comprehensive Breast Care Program was granted a three-year full accreditation designation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC).

We are grateful for our good fortune, the hard work of our colleagues, and the continued support of our patients, donors, and healthcare partners.

Together, we Share the Journey –Developing Partnerships, Leading Innovation, and Creating Hope as we continue to build the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center for all of West Virginia.