If the key to finding the cure for childhood cancer is research, how do we decide which research projects to fund? We look to our Scientific Advisory Council to guide our choices.
Comprised of doctors, scientists and experts, the council studies the status of current research funded by CURE, as well as that funded since 2006. They assess the outcomes and identify successful projects to make funding recommendations that align with CURE’s research goals.
Currently, our focus is on projects aimed at the 20% of children diagnosed with cancer who are not surviving today’s methods of treatment. With that in mind, in fiscal year 2012-2013, we will fund research involving the highest risk pediatric cancers that fall into one of the following categories:
1. Innovative clinical therapy and transplantation
2. Mechanism of drug resistance and drug discovery
3. Study of novel tumor biomarkers for diagnostic, prognostic, therapeutic and
vaccine development potential
4. Genetics and/or Genomics as related to cancer development, resistance,
mechanism
We’re also interested in projects focused on survivorship that evaluate short-term and long-term consequences of cancer and anti-cancer therapy in patients who are cured, in order to improve the quality of life during and after treatment.
The CURE Scientific Advisory Council includes:
- Kevin L. Karem, PhD: CDC Scientist – Council Chair
- Terri Ades, DNP, FNP-BC, AOCN: Director, Cancer Information, American Cancer Society
- Carlos Alvarado, MD: Emeritus Professor, Emory University
- John D. Bergsagel, MD, Oncologist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine
- Leon Brnal-Mizrachi, MD: Assistant Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
- William H. Chambers, PhD: Director, Clinical Cancer Research and Immunology, American Cancer Society
- Harry Findley, PhD: Emeritus Professor, Emory University
- Richard J. Woodcock, MD: Neuroradiologist, MRI & Imaging of Georgia
