Baylor College of Medicine Cancer Center - Cancer Center Support Grant

Baylor College Of Medicine, Houston TX

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

This is the 4th CCSG competitive renewal application of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center (DLDCCC) at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) in Houston, Texas. Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States with a multi-generational, dynamic population and Harris County is one of the most rapidly growing in the country. The DLDCCC Catchment Area has expanded from the core of Harris County to include the eight surrounding counties, which comprise the Houston Metropolitan Statistical Area and encompass close to eight million individuals (this population is greater than that of 35 states). The DLDCCC is a matrix center with BCM as the lead partner with four hospital affiliates, Texas Children’s Hospital, the DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Ben Taub Hospital, and the new Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center as formal affiliates. The DLDCCC received NCI designation in 2007 and comprehensive designation in 2014 and through our evaluation and planning process and recommendations from our External Advisory Board and internal committees, we have since made significant progress strengthening our scientific programs. We have recruited 65 new cancer faculty to the DLDCCC which now has 278 members. Our cancer-relevant peer reviewed research funding now exceeds $148 million, with more than $43 million coming from the NCI, a 33% increase over the last funding period. Several important scientific accomplishments have been made that have an impact in our Catchment Area and globally, from implementing lung cancer screenings to catch disease at its earliest and most curable stage to launching the first cell therapy unit in a safety net hospital in the country to practice-changing research in breast cancer and new tools to rapidly diagnose cancer in the operating theater. In alignment with the strategic plan developed by new Director Dr. Pavan Reddy, DLDCCC research has been reorganized into six complementary programs: Tumor Biology, Chromatin Biology, Breast Cancer, Cancer Cell and Gene Therapy, Cancer Prevention and Population Science, and Pediatric Cancer. These programs are supported by 10 Shared Resources, which have been strengthened by significant investments in leading technologies. The Clinical Protocol and Data Management Core has been significantly enhanced, with increased accruals to clinical trials and decreased time to activation. Of particular significance, clinical trial accrual reflects the composition of our catchment area. The DLDCCC is dedicated to disseminating new information and services to the community and training and education have been integrated into all our Programs. Overall, the Center is driven by the exigency of its patients and community to pursue scientific breakthroughs that will reduce the cancer burden.