The AACR is honoring DuBois for his seminal work in colorectal cancer research, including his contributions to understanding the role of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). His work has been the catalyst for the expanding field or research into COX-2 and the carcinogenic process, the AACR said in a statement. It has already had significant impact on patient care, with the recent approval of celecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor, for the reduction of polyp formation in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis, an inherited disease in which hundreds of polyps form and, if left untreated, develop into tumors.
Clinical trials are under way to determine the usefulness of this drug in individuals who face a more typical risk of colorectal cancer. Additional work by DuBois and others suggests that COX-2 inhibitors may also play a role in treating lung and other forms of cancer; clinical trials are also beginning in this area.
DuBois is the associate director for Cancer Prevention, Control and Population-Based Research at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tenn. He also is Mina Cobb Wallace Professor of Cancer Prevention and chief of the division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.
The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center is the only Comprehensive Cancer Center designated by the National Cancer Institute in Tennessee, and one of only 41 nationwide. This designation, the highest ranking awarded to cancer centers by the world’s foremost authority on cancer, recognizes research excellence in cancer causes, development, treatment and prevention, as well as a demonstrated commitment to community education, information and outreach. To learn more, please visit www.vicc.org.