North Carolina Cancer Center Given $2 Million Towards Cancer Research

Sanofi-Aventis, a global drug manufacturer, has given a $2 million gift to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in recognition of the center’s strong research. UNC Lineberger is the only public comprehensive cancer center in North Carolina, and works towards their mission to reduce cancer occurrence and death in North Carolina and across the nation.

The hospital plans to use the money for clinical research and programs for patients. A committee will ultimately determine the final use for the money, but the hope is that it will fund new research for therapies not currently funded with Federal grant dollars.

Sanofi-Aventis sees the donation as a way to partner with a research institution for research and development of new cancer treatments. Ideally the company will develop new cancer drugs based on discoveries made by the team at UNC. Sanofi is the maker of Taxotere, a chemotherapy drug for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer treatment.

Taxotere is also used for the treatment of breast, prostate, gastric, and head and neck cancers. While it is often used in conjunction with cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug used for malignant mesothelioma, the two drugs are not indicated for use with mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, affects close to 3,000 Americans each year. The disease is often in an advanced stage at diagnosis leaving patients with a survival rate often less than a year. Currently, there is no known cure for mesothelioma.

The Thoracic Oncology program at the hospital, treats patients with mesothelioma, non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, and esophageal cancer where the physicians take an individualized care approach for patients. Specialists from pulmonary medicine, surgery, medical and radiation oncology, pathology, and oncology nursing are included on a single team to best treat the patient.