The Science of Caring - Moores Cancer Center - UC San Diego

Message from the DirectorWith the New Year comes a number of excitingnew initiatives at the Moores UCSD CancerCenter that I would like to share with you.We are launching a major new research effort incollaboration with UCSD’s Scripps Institution ofOceanography (SIO) to develop cancer drugs fromthe sea. The program also involves scientists fromthe UCSD Skaggs School of Pharmacy andPharmaceutical Sciences and the UCSDDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry. SIOhas one of the world’s most diverse collections ofchemicals isolated from marine organisms.We believethese complex chemicals will be useful in cancer because they have naturallydeveloped over time to protect the organisms — sponges, algae and other marineinvertebrates — from attack. From our initial screening, we have already identifiedtwo extremely potent compounds that hold promise for anti-cancer drug development.Our unwavering focus oncuring and controlling cancerbrings new options and newhope to cancer patients.On the clinical side, we are expanding ourRadiation Oncology Department with a newfocus on technology development in order tobring the newest and best treatment optionsto patients. For example, we are currentlyone of only two centers in the nation offering‘frameless’ radiosurgery for brain tumors. This is a non-invasive brain tumortreatment that is delivered in a single day without the use of surgical incisions, andwithout immobilization devices bolted to the skull.Soon, we will have a new director of the Division of Surgical Oncology. Thisdivision is being developed in collaboration with the UCSD Department ofSurgery. The division will involve highly skilled surgeons who specialize onlyin cancer to ensure that our patients who need surgery are receiving care fromsomeone who is experienced in their disease and who is using the latest technology.As one of only a handful of federally designated comprehensive cancer centers inthe U.S., we play an important role in the national cancer effort. Our unwaveringfocus on curing and controlling cancer drives us to continually push out theboundaries of what is known, and to bring new options and new hope to cancerpatients. We believe this is why we have experienced an increase of 30 percentin patient visits in less than two years. Patients know that when they are facinga challenge like cancer, they can do no better than to come to a comprehensivecancer center like ours.Sincerely,The Science of Caringc o n t i n u e d from front co v e rOther Science of Caring resources includean innovative palliative care program andan active Patient Advisory Council. Inaddition, Loscalzo’s team continuallyevaluates all of the program’s services tohelp develop new knowledge that willenhance patient care—thus putting the“science” in the Science of Caring.At the Moores UCSD Cancer Center,hundreds of patients have welcomed andpraised these new services. One suchpatient, Lou Sangiolo, has participated inseveral supportive programs since hiscancer was diagnosed a year ago. He iscurrently undergoing chemotherapy, yet hestays active and finds encouragement frommany of the program’s sources.The Science of Caring teamSangiolo has been a regular at a weeklyPatient Support Group, has kept in closetouch with his social worker, and hasoccasionally sought additional help fromcounselors to cope with his cancer.“I’m a little bit calmer, a little bit smarter,and more patient. Counseling and supportgroups have improved my quality of lifeand my relationships,” he says.Dennis A. Carson, M.D.Director, Moores UCSD Cancer CenterChugai Pharmaceutical Chair in CancerAssociate Dean, UCSD Health Sciences2