June 20, 2007 -
NCI Alliance CGC Meeting
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Greetings,

We expect approximately 45,000 new cases and more than 11,000 deaths in the Year 2007, for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck accounting for 5% of all newly diagnostic cancers in the United States. More than two-thirds of the patients present with locally advanced disease (Stages III/IV), which has a poor 5-year survival rate. Because of the large number of aging smokers and ex-smokers in the United States population, the instance of aerodigestive cancers (including lung cancer and head and neck cancer), will remain high for the next two to three decades despite the overall declining smoking.

Our research laboratory has focused on translational, basic, and clinical research. Our devoted research team will apply novel and innovative approaches to treatment and prevention for head and neck cancer. Over the last several years our research team has focused on various molecular mechanisms in prevention and therapy for head and neck cancer, through multiple research funding mechanisms including: NIH UO1, RO1, recently funded Head and Neck Cancer Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE), and Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (CCNE). The over-arching focus is to facilitate, critically investigate, and move new discoveries to patient care rapidly, always with the objectives of decreasing morbidity, suffering, disability, and death caused by this disease. The research focuses of our laboratory include: 1) discovery of novel molecularly targeted agents for cancer treatment, 2) discovery of novel chemopreventive strategies to head and neck cancer, 3) innovative applications of nanotechnology in cancer therapeutics and imaging, and 4) exploring biologic mechanisms of progression and metastasis of head and neck cancer.

Therefore, our research laboratory has comprehensive approaches from basic understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms of the disease to clinical trials in many aspects of cancer prevention and treatment. Our laboratories are very actively collaborating with other investigators throughout the country; and thus, the outcome of the research can be quickly translated into patient care for this devastating disease.

Thank you for the opportunity to present our laboratory facility, key members, and publications for your reference.