the torch Summer 2015, Issue 2 | Page 10

FEATURE FEATURE Precision medicine collaboration to increase options for cancer patients On May 20, Baylor Research Institute (BRI) at Dallas and the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) in Phoenix, announced an agreement that will focus on accelerating early detection and treatments for patients with a broad range of cancers. Aligning the best science of both institutions will lead to new clinical trials and access to technology to drive the development of new therapies – bridging the gap from bench to bedside across Baylor Scott & White Health’s 49 hospitals throughout Texas. Robert Pryor, M.D., president, chief operating officer and chief medical officer, Baylor Scott & White Health, is excited about the collaboration saying, “We will combine TGen’s strengths in genomics and proteomics with BRI’s strengths in metabolomics and immune-based approaches, initially focusing on genomic – or molecular – and translational research for oncology.” Daniel Von Hoff, M.D., TGen’s distinguished professor and physician-in-chief and senior research advisor for the Pancreatic Cancer Research and Treatment Center at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, discussed the potential of the collaboration at the May Baylor Health Care System Foundation board meeting. Dr. Von Hoff explained the joint effort will concentrate on three significant research areas: women’s cancer, including breast and