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Q&A with Ronald A. DePinho

by Sean Ruck, Contributing Editor | October 14, 2014
From the September 2015 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine



Finally, our reputation is driven by our research and its impact on patient care. We have one of the largest research portfolios, among hospitals. With approximately $700 million, we are number one in grants from the National Cancer Institute. We have 11,000 patients currently on clinical trials, and are responsible for leading one-third of FDA clinical trials for cancer.

HCBN: Are there any new modalities or technologies either recently adopted or currently being explored for cancer treatment that you’re excited about?

RD:
This is a truly revolutionary time in the history of medicine but specifically in cancer. There are a number of developments that drive us. Immunotherapy is very strong. The impact on melanoma and the combination with checkpoint inhibitors with patients showing durable responses is nothing short of historic.

From vaccines all the way to checkpoints, immunotherapy is amazing. We’re very proud of our role, but also very happy and grateful to be able to give patients new hope for formerly terminal forms of cancer.

Another area I’m excited about is the introduction of powerful analytic capabilities to understand optimal treatment options for individuals. This will change the practice of medicine. MD Anderson has been at the forefront of understanding what the data can teach us about each patient and how that information can drive care. Again, MD Anderson will share its data, so that this knowledge benefits patients not just in Houston, but around the world.

HCBN: Are there any recent developments you’d care to discuss?

RD:
We have some really exciting work in ovarian cancer that we believe is a practice-changing approach. Traditionally, the goal has been reductive surgery. But unless we eliminate all disease, the chance of long-term survival is unchanged — as if the surgery wasn’t performed. However, if you first provide systemic therapy, reduce the disease and then do surgery, we believe you can greatly increase survivability.

Click here to view the hospital spotlight pictorial of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center





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