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E verett E. Vokes, MD, Professor of Medicine, Chief, Section of Hematology/Oncology and Deputy Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Chicago, was surprised and elated to learn that he was to receive the Translational Research Professorship.
"I feel a tremendous sense of honor, commitment, and loyalty to ASCO, and thank the organization very much," Dr. Vokes said during an interview with ASCO Daily News.
Dr. Vokes will be one of two recipients of ASCO's new Translational Research Professorship. (See article on Bruce E. Johnson, MD, in today's issue of ASCO Daily News.) Developed for oncologists who are dedicated to bringing advances in basic sciences into the clinic and to mentor other translational researchers, the award provides $100,000 per year for 5 years. The goal is to promote the training and career development of clinical oncologists for whom translational research is a major component of their professional activities. Another goal is to support ASCO members who are primarily translational investigators.
According to Dr. Vokes, translational research is, "a way by which clinicians can have a positive effect on patient outcomes while learning about the underlying tumor biology, and that's why it is so important. There are more opportunities in translational research now because the tools by which we can evaluate carcinogenesis and the targets of novel drugs in the laboratory have gotten better."
In his areas of interest - head and neck, and lung cancer - Dr. Vokes has been interested in the interaction of chemotherapy and radiation with novel therapies. His work has focused on increasing cure rates through the early use of combined modality therapy. He also has worked to improve organ preservation and the maintenance of organ function.
"There's also been some very encouraging activity in the development of targeted agents in some thyroid cancers, and it's that kind of experience we want to build on," he said.
Dr. Vokes's team will continue researching head and neck and lung cancers. These investigators include Ravi Salgia, MD, PhD, Ezra E. W. Cohen, MD, FRCPC, Mark Lingen, DDS, PhD, Marsha Rosner, PhD, and Ralph R. Weichselbaum, MD. Dr. Weichselbaumm was Dr. Vokes's mentor for many years and still collaborates with the research team. The team is examining gene therapy, where an adenovirus is connected to a radiation inducible promoter, which is linked to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene. This therapy allows for local delivery and activation of TNF by radiation within the cancer cell where it then acts as a radiation sensitizer. "This concept is in phase I research. Linked to the trials are laboratory investigations that allow for a better understanding of the mechanisms," Dr. Vokes explained. "The University of Chicago has a long history of translational and multispecialty research, and under the leadership of Michelle Le Beau our cancer center is firmly committed to this approach and supporting complex studies such as this."
The team of investigators also is planning similar research with an oncolytic herpes virus, and according to Dr. Vokes, evidence suggests that this virus could work as a chemotherapy and radiation enhancer.
In collaboration with Leonardo Faoro, MD, and Tanguy Y. Seiwert, MD, the research team is looking at c-Met, a tyrosine kinase receptor, as a very promising target in head and neck cancer and in lung cancer.
"This is the kind of work we are doing now. Our research will clearly benefit from the Translational Research Professorship, which also will help us expand further and start additional projects."
During his residency, Dr. Vokes recognized that systemic therapies could have an effect on cancers. He found it incredibly exciting that oncologists did not always have to use surgery or radiation, that intravenous therapies, and now, even pills, could be given to a patient for treatment and prolong life or result in cure if added to radiotherapy. Out of that realization grew a goal to focus on researching these developments in cancer care.
"There's a real need to make a difference and a wonderful opportunity to do so," he said. "What my generation as trainees had, and what the current generation of trainees has even more of, is concrete evidence that this research can make a difference for patients, so that is where research is challenging but incredibly rewarding."
Dr. Vokes notes that his work with up-and-coming investigators has been "a wonderful thing." He cites mentoring the next generation of research scientists as one of his proudest professional accomplishments.
Dr. Vokes also feels gratitude toward those who have helped him in his career and acknowledges Harvey Golomb, MD, Dr. Weichselbaum, ASCO President-Elect Richard L. Schilsky, MD, and Mark J. Ratain, MD, as mentors and/or collaborators who have influenced his work and who have helped him move his research forward. In addition, he mentions some of his fellow ASCO members, including Waun Ki Hong, MD, and Mark Green, MD, whom have been great supporters of his work as well as advisors.
His body of work not only includes research, teaching, and mentoring but also the publication of numerous articles. Dr. Vokes has served ASCO in various capacities through the years. He was on the JCO Editorial Board from 1991 to 1994 and again from 2004 to 2006 and served as Guest Editor of the JCO issue on Concomitant Chemoradiotherapy in 2007. From 2001 to 2004, Dr. Vokes participated as a member of the Nominating Committee that helps to select ASCO leadership. He is current Chair-Elect of the Scientific Program Committee and will serve as Chair of the Committee for the upcoming year.
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