M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Receives $4.6 Million Grant for Breast Cancer Research

Strategic Insights -

M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, part of the University of Texas, has been awarded a three-year, $4.6 million Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant from the U.S. National Cancer Institute for breast cancer research. This is the institution's 10th such grant since 1996, making it the holder of the most SPORE grants in the United States. With this grant, the institution continues to expand its research portfolio, currently holding grants in various cancer types, including leukemia, melanoma, and cancers of the pancreas, ovaries, uterus, head and neck, bladder, and prostate.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.S. National Cancer Institute has awarded 58 SPORE grants nationally, focusing on 14 disease sites, with M. D. Anderson Cancer Center holding the most grants (10) since 1996.
  • The institution currently holds SPORE grants in leukemia, melanoma, and various cancers of the pancreas, ovaries, uterus, head and neck, bladder, and prostate, and shares a lung cancer SPORE grant with University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
  • The breast cancer SPORE grant and the renewal of the ovarian cancer SPORE total more than $107 million, with Gabriel Hortobagyi, MD, leading the grant.
  • The five primary research projects funded by the grant focus on personalized risk assessment, detection, and treatment, including molecular and epidemiologic classification of early-stage breast cancer tumors, cyclin E as a prognosticator for breast cancer, treatment of metastatic breast cancer with gene-modified mesenchymal stem cells, PTEN deficiency and trastuzumab (Herceptin) resistance, and targeting breast cancer-specific gene therapy.

Statistics:

  • $4.6 million: The size of the three-year SPORE grant awarded to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center for breast cancer research.
  • 58: The total number of SPORE grants awarded nationally by the U.S. National Cancer Institute.
  • 14: The number of disease sites focused on by the SPORE grants.
  • 10: The number of SPORE grants held by M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
  • $107 million: The total amount spent by M. D. Anderson Cancer Center for its 10 SPORE grants since 1996.
  • 2002: The year in which M. D. Anderson researchers first discovered cyclin E, a molecular tag to predict breast cancer risk.
  • 2003: The year in which researchers discovered genetically engineered stem cells that home in on tumors and produce biological killing agents.
  • 2004: The year in which researchers published their findings on PTEN deficiency and trastuzumab (Herceptin) resistance.

Sources:

  • Health & Medicine Week editors, via NewsRx.com, 2006
  • U.S. National Cancer Institute
  • M. D. Anderson Cancer Center