Human Face - Moores Cancer Center

■ A national construction company hasbeen retained to provide pre-constructionservices, and discussions are now takingplace with them to provide general contractorservicesAs you can see, we are on an ambitiousschedule to bring this major, state-of-theartfacility to fruition within the next twoyears.Beyond creating new synergies within ourown Cancer Center, this building will providea platform for new collaborationswith other cancer organizations in SanDiego. You may haveheard of an effortunder way by 21 localcancer organizations tocreate a regional consortiumcalled the SanDiego Regional CancerInstitute, which wouldbe funded by tobaccosettlement monies. Theprivately funded UCSDCancer Center buildingproject is separate fromthe consortium endeavor, but the CancerCenter is fully supportive and an activeparticipant in it.In terms of scientific achievements,Cancer Center physicians and researchersare making tremendous strides in ourunderstanding of cancer and in its prevention,diagnosis and treatment. Forexample, Center members:■ have discovered a strong link between acommon human virus and colorectalcancer, which may be responsible for alarge percentage of non-hereditary coloncancer■ are studying a type of blood stem-celltransplant as a treatment for kidneycancer, which holds promise as animportant advance for patients withthis type of cancer“With this latestachievement we aremoving forwardenthusiastically withbuilding our visionof the cancer centerof the future.”■ have introduced a new procedure calledductal lavage that can detect pre-malignantand malignant breast cells longbefore they become visible tumors■ have developed an intriguing fluorescentmouse model of pancreatic cancerthat is already revealing important newinsights about this deadly disease■ have created a strong program in pharmacogenomics,an exciting new field thataims to tailor chemotherapy based on anindividual’s genetic profileWhile some of our accomplishmentsmake headlines, our coverstory topic rarely makesnews. Nonetheless, it isamong the most importantthings we do. I’m referringto the exceptional care providedby our oncologynurses. In this issue of theCancer Center newsletterwe feature our chemotherapynurses; but we paytribute to all, whether theywork in the outpatient clinics, in theoperating rooms, or in the communityproviding home visits. Oncology nursesdeliver compassion, friendship andunderstanding along with their clinicalskills. It is these human qualities thatpatients remember long after the lastchemotherapy treatment. We’re proud ofour nurses and the special brand of careand caring they bring to patients, quietly,every day.If you see a nurse, thank her or him.They deserve our utmost respect andsupport.Sincerely,David Tarin, M.D., Ph.D.Director, UCSD Cancer CenterIN THIS ISSUEThe Human Faceof Chemotherapy4The Cancer Center’sNCI Designation6Cancer Center TestsNew Leukemia Drug8Luau and LongboardInvitational9Calendar of Events10John S. LyonsMemorial Foundation11Philanthropy NotebookBack Page3UCSD Cancer Center News