High-dose retinoic acid a vitamin A derivative can prevent the occurrence of new head and neck cancers in patients initially cured by surgery, radiation therapy or a combination of the two, according to more than two decades of research by Waun Ki Hong, M.D. He and his colleagues at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center were among the early pioneers who showed proof of principle that a drug can be used to prevent cancer before it has a chance to begin. Their studies demonstrated that high doses of retinoids can suppress or reverse pre-cancerous lesions in the mouth as well as thwart the development of new tumors.
In recognition of Dr. Hong's groundbreaking work, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation (CRPF) announced today that he is the recipient of the second annual AACR-CRPF Award for Excellence in Cancer Prevention Research. Last year's inaugural award went to Michael B. Sporn, M.D., of Dartmouth Medical School, who was lauded for his stellar work in the basic science of chemoprevention.
"Dr. Hong's vision, passion and zeal for cancer prevention and its potential have accelerated the pace of growth in the field," said Margaret Foti, Ph.D., M.D. (h.c.), AACR chief executive officer.
"Many of the first, definitive proofs of principle for chemoprevention came from the translational research by Dr. Hong and his colleagues," she added, noting that his research has opened the door to less toxic and more effective chemopreventive agents and regimens for individuals at high risk for cancer.
From his office in Houston, Dr. Hong said, "Chemoprevention is a highly promising field with tremendous potential for changing the impact cancer has on our society. I feel very lucky to have been one of the people to open the door to an area with such exciting possibilities."
When clinical trials suggested that chemoprevention wasn't potent enough alone to re
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Contact: Elizabeth Tait
tait@aacr.org
215-440-9300
American Association for Cancer Research
9-Oct-2003
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