into six major thematic programs ( see sidebar ). These interdisciplinary , laboratory research-based programs include basic science and clinical investigators pursuing molecular mechanisms relevant to critical aspects of cell growth and behavior . “ We have the moral obligation to provide our constituents the best care we can , and for us that begins with our research enterprise ,” Dr . Partridge says .
Research Programs at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center
Inflammation , Immunology & Immunotherapeutics Co-Leaders : Donald Buchsbaum , Ph . D ., and Casey Weaver , M . D .
Cancer Cell Biology Co-Leaders : Mary-Ann Bjornsti , Ph . D ., and Ralph Sanderson , Ph . D .
Experimental Therapeutics Co-Leaders : Andres Forero , M . D ., and Christopher Klug , Ph . D .
Neuro-Oncology Co-Leaders : G . Yancey Gillespie , Ph . D ., and Burt Nabors , M . D .
Cancer Chemoprevention Co-Leaders : Craig Elmets , M . D ., and Clinton Grubbs , Ph . D .
Cancer Control and Population Sciences Co-Leaders : Elizabeth Brown , Ph . D ., M . P . H ., and Karen Meneses , Ph . D ., R . N ., FAAN
Why NCI Designation Matters to Patients
For many , an NCI designation can hold the key to survival , and studies have been done to support that conclusion . The work of Cancer Center senior scientist Smita Bhatia , M . D ., M . P . H ., director of the UAB Institute of Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship , who was recruited to UAB from City of Hope in Los Angeles in 2015 , is a perfect example .
“ We have shown that , among individuals ages 22 to 65 years residing in Los Angeles County with newly diagnosed adult-onset cancer , those who were treated at NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers experienced superior survival compared with those treated at other facilities ,” says Dr . Bhatia , who is working closely with Children ’ s of Alabama to establish a multidisciplinary program in cancer outcomes research at UAB , similar to City of Hope . Her goal is to create the world ’ s best cancer outcome center by bringing together specialists from multiple disciplines in both pediatric and adult medicine into one team with the common goal of improving cancer outcomes .
A comprehensive designation also means patients have access to leading-edge treatments or “ clinical trials ” they may not otherwise have at local community hospitals or smaller cancer centers . At UAB , there are currently more than 180 cancer-related clinical trials exploring an array of therapies , diagnostics and preventive options . Clinical trials are one of the final stages in the long and careful process in approving new cancer treatments .
The NCI designation also means the specialized physicians who see patients in the clinic are collaborating with researchers in the lab to develop new approaches to detecting , preventing and treating cancer for all populations . The Cancer Center ’ s multidisciplinary approach to care not only brings together physicians from different specialty areas ( medical oncology , radiation oncology , surgical oncology , etc .) into one team , but also provides patients with experts who specialize in one particular cancer . For example , the center ’ s breast cancer physicians only treat breast cancer , and in some instances , they specialize in a specific subset of the disease , such as triple negative breast cancer .
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