Douglas Yee, M.D.

Cancer Center Director Douglas Yee, M.D., delivered the "State of the Masonic Cancer Center" speech June 7, 2007, as part of the Masonic Cancer Center's Salute to Staff and Faculty.

In his speech, Yee discussed the theme of the recent American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, "Translating Research into Practice," and what it means for the Masonic Cancer Center. The conference emphasized research in cancer prevention, survivorship, new drugs based on molecular targets, and strategies to individualize decisions about cancer therapy for patients.

"Smaller, faster, better clinical trials" designed to "get us to an answer faster" are becoming more important as biomarkers are identified to populate clinical trials with patients who will respond well to treatment and to eliminate patients who won't, Yee said. "We, the academic centers, have to lead now" in identifying targets for drug development, and "it's up to us to show [drug companies] how to use those drugs." Yee said he believed in the next 10 to 15 years the challenge won't be a lack of targets discovered in basic research laboratories, it will be how to apply that research in clinical trials.

Yee described the research strengths of new faculty who have joined the Masonic Cancer Center, and he acknowledged significant faculty and staff achievements in the past year. He said the Cancer Center continues to work on recruiting new faculty and acquiring new laboratory space to accommodate more researchers.

The Masonic Cancer Center is becoming more integrated into clinical care as it develops relationships with Fairview Southdale the new Fairview Maple Grove Medical Center, Yee said. Plans for a major new University of Minnesota Physicians clinical building on campus include a significant presence—including a separate entrance and improved clinical research facilities—for the Masonic Cancer Center.

Yee said the Masonic Cancer Center's goals for the next year include successfully re-competing for the National Cancer Institute's cancer center support grant, and to continue to develop resources and systems that will help researchers pursue their research interests and to generate new ideas for improved patient care.

The Masonic Cancer Center is part of the University's Academic Health Center. It is a Comprehensive Cancer Center designated by the National Cancer Institute. For more information about the Masonic Cancer Center, call the information line at 612-624-2620 or toll-free in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Dakotas at 1-888-CANCER MN (1-888-226-2376), or visit the Web at www.cancer.umn.edu.

Media Contact: Mary Lawson, Public Relations Director, Masonic Cancer Center, 612-624-6165, 612-363-6971 (cell), mlawson@umn.edu.