“We are extremely proud of Drs. Goodwin and Ullrich and we are equally proud that UTMB will play a major role in a statewide effort to combat cancer through innovative research,” said Dr. David L. Callender, president of UTMB.

 

These monies will fund two collaborative research projects, the Comparative Effectiveness Research on Cancer in Texas (CERCIT) and the tier one biobank of Texas Cancer Research Biobank (TCRB). The goal of CERCIT, being led by Goodwin, is to create a statewide resource for outcomes and research for cancer in Texas, and will involve investigators from UTMB, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, UT School of Public Health, Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine and the Texas Cancer Registry. The TCRB is an ambitious effort to build a statewide network of tumor samples for use in cancer research. UTMB is collecting the core samples, 2,000 normal tumor pairs, over the next three years from three regions in the state, including Dallas, Houston and Galveston.

 

“Both of these research projects are allowing Texas to enter a new level in cancer research and CPRIT is proud to be a part of these history-making projects,” said Jimmy Mansour, chairman of the CPRIT Oversight Committee.  

 

Texas voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment in 2007, establishing the CPRIT and authorizing the state to issue $3 billion in bonds to fund groundbreaking cancer research and prevention programs and services in Texas. CPRIT’s goal is to expedite innovation and commercialization in cancer research and to enhance access to evidence-based prevention programs and services throughout the state.

 

CPRIT accepts applications and awards grants for a wide variety of cancer-related research and for the delivery of cancer prevention programs and services by public and private entities in Texas. More information about CPRIT and the funded proposals is available at its web site, www.cprit.state.tx.us.