The Knight Cancer Institute is teaming up with Cancer Research UK (CRUK) to accelerate research in the early detection of cancer. CRUK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research.
The organization has been at the heart of the progress that has seen cancer survival rates double in the UK in the last forty years.
The shared goal is to meet the urgent need for better methods to find lethal cancers as they are forming so that they can be treated more effectively.
OHSU’s Dr. Brian Druker says, "The full potential of precision cancer medicine will only be realized when coupled with a sophisticated early detection effort. We need to develop tests that distinguish slow and non-lethal cancers from more dangerous malignancies. We are committed to uniting researchers worldwide and ensuring the next generation of cancer detection becomes a reality.”
The two organizations will work together to overcome key barriers facing research scientists today, including:
- A lack of research models for the earliest stages of the disease
- A shortage of tissue samples available for research
- The need for a better understanding of the biology of early cancer and appropriate technologies to detect its features
To further develop a global network of experts focused on these problems, the collaboration will host an international conference series beginning in 2016. This conference is made possible by the generous support of the Gordon D. Sondland and Katherine J. Durant Foundation through a gift to the Knight Cancer Challenge.
Learn more about the partnership and conference.
