Columbia Neurosurgery Presents at Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center 51st Annual Symposium

Recently, the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) celebrated its 51st Annual Symposium to highlight the exceptional work of the extended team. Throughout the event, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center's team members presented their contributions to the field, sharing their insights and accomplishments. These presentations showcased the remarkable depth of expertise and commitment within the HICCC, emphasizing its leadership in cancer research and treatment. Dr. Jeffrey Bruce and Dr. Peter Canoll were asked to speak about the recent advancements in their convection-enhanced delivery (CED) research program. 

Dr. Bruce and Dr. Canoll, whose pioneering efforts could potentially revolutionize the landscape of brain cancer care, are the recipients of one of the inaugural grants from the newly established Irving Cancer Drug Discovery Program, a fund designed to expedite translational opportunities within the cancer center. The Columbia team's research centers around a fully implanted Convection Enhanced Delivery (CED) system, combined with innovative therapeutic agents, aiming to redefine how we combat brain cancer. The audience was fascinated by the prospect of a more effective and precise way to bypass the blood-brain barrier and deliver cancer-fighting molecules directly into tumors and the surrounding area.

Dr. William Kaelin, a renowned figure in the field of cancer research and Nobel Laureate, closed the program with a keynote address. Dr. William Kaelin's research on kidney cancer has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of the disease's molecular mechanisms and has contributed to the development of targeted therapies that offer hope for patients with renal cell carcinoma. His work underscores the importance of the HIF pathway and the VHL tumor suppressor gene in kidney cancer, providing a foundation for future research and clinical interventions.

The Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center's event was a testament to the dedication and innovation of its team members, with Dr. Bruce and Dr. Canoll's work serving as a shining example of the transformative potential of the Irving Cancer Drug Discovery Program. It was a day filled with hope, promise, and the conviction that, together, we can shape a brighter future for cancer patients worldwide.