Cancer survivor leads national institute

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- President Bush on Thursday named Dr. Andrew Von Eschenbach, a two-time cancer survivor, as the director of the National Cancer Institute.

"He understands that basic research is the foundation to any success in eliminating cancer, and that research breakthroughs must be translated into effective treatments for patients," Bush said in introducing Von Eschenbach at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. "He will bring to his new position ... compassion for the millions of cancer patients and their families who are struggling with this disease."

Von Eschenbach was successfully treated for melanoma in 1989, and prostate cancer two years ago. He currently is a professor of urology and director of the genitourinary cancer center at the University of Texas' M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He takes over the arm of the National Institutes of Health responsible for funding research into state-of-the-art treatments, then merging those therapies into clinical use.

"We cannot rest until we translate our new understanding of cancer into interventions that will detect cancer, new drugs that will treat and even prevent cancer," Von Eschenbach said. " I pledge that we will not rest or yield until we have fulfilled the promise of eliminating the suffering and death caused by cancer."

Von Eschenbach's appointment quickly fills the void left by the Sept. 28 resignation of Dr. Richard Klausner. The NCI's Dr. Alan Rabson had been serving as acting director up to now.

Representatives of several cancer-fighting organizations held nothing back in praising von Eschenbach's appointment. Dr. Stephen Strum, medical director of the Prostate Cancer Research Institute in Los Angeles, said von Eschenbach is an excellent general for fighting the several fronts currently showing promise against cancer.

"This is going to be a major step forward ... involving people who'll push the leading edge to get drugs approved more rapidly and people working together," Strum told United Press International. "When you get a doctor that's been touched by an illness, it changes his sensitivity tremendously, and that's a real plus for the public."

Amy Langer, executive director of the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations, and who has been a member of the NCI's Board of Scientific Advisors, also told UPI von Eschenbach's personal bouts with cancer will help him understand patients' concerns.

"The real challenge he has is to keep the pressure on equally in every promising avenue for every type of cancer," Langer said.

Both Langer and Strum said von Eschenbach's prior focus on prostate cancer will not keep him from working with all branches of oncology. Prostate tumors are a model for several facets of research and treatment, Strum said. The emerging genetic approaches to beating cancer also make specialization less of an issue, Langer said.

Von Eschenbach attended medical school at Georgetown University in Washington, and served his internship and residency in Philadelphia hospitals. His colleagues in Houston, such as Dr. Stanley Hamilton, the M.D. Anderson head of pathology, understand their loss is a huge gain for cancer research.

"He understands very well how to speak the language of basic science and how to integrate that into the clinical arena," Hamilton told UPI. "At a time where there are marvelous discoveries being made at the basic science level ... he's wonderfully positioned to do this job."

Von Eschenbach's breadth of experience, from being a clinical oncologist to administrator of a large program, gives him a very complete view of cancer research, Hamilton said.

Von Eschenbach has worked with the American Cancer Society for more than 20 years and is a member of the National Dialogue on Cancer.

"He has proven his compassion and commitment to eradicating cancer as a major health threat," said Dr. John R. Seffrin, the ACS's national chief executive officer. "The National Cancer Institute will do well by his leadership and passion."