CANCER
LEADING MEDICINE TO THE POWER OF CAMPAIGN FOR OUR SECOND CENTURY
FIGHT AGAINST CANCER THE
Vicki Baucum
Vicki Baucum was diagnosed with stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer. This is one of the most aggressive types of cancer, and is notoriously resistant to treatment. Her oncologist collaborated with a team of experts to create a unique and tailored treatment regimen. Over a 10-month period, Vicki received 28 infusions, participated in a clinical trial, underwent surgery and had 33 rounds of radiation. Now, years later, she remains in remission. Vicki’s oncologist was Dr. Jenny Chang, Emily Herrmann Chair in Cancer Research and director of the Houston Methodist Cancer Center. When she first gave Vicki her diagnosis, she also made this promise: “I will help you fight this.”
We are fortunate, in Houston and the Texas Medical Center, to be home to some of the most exciting innovations in cancer care. However, equally in our quest to realize this future is that we do not turn our treatment centers into drug development factories, that patients are not reduced to numbers or data points in a clinical trial. We cannot forget that our patients are in the fight of their lives. At the Houston Methodist Cancer Center, our research and clinical teams are guided by an overarching imperative: putting the patient first. Houston Methodist is where the science of medicine meets the art of patient care, where new cures, surgeries and medical technologies are not only first implemented but also compassionately applied. Houston Methodist is approaching our centennial anniversary in 2019, and these values have nurtured us through our first century of service. With the support of a peerless community of philanthropic leaders, we have become pioneers in cancer treatment, education and research. In our second century, we aim to become something even more. With the help of our philanthropic partners, we can multiply our areas of greatest strength. We can transform how new treatments are researched and developed, and how exceptional cancer care is delivered. We can build an elite cancer center for our region — one working at the cutting edge of medicine and technology — that keeps the patient at the center of all we do. This is how we take the fight against cancer to an exponentially greater level. This is Leading Medicine to the Power of M.
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THE FOR OUR
VISION
SECOND
CENTURY
Houston Methodist’s vision for the future of cancer care is informed by a clear understanding of the challenges our patients face today. Traditional cancer treatment — whether it’s surgery, chemotherapy or radiation — is often just as punishing to the body as the disease. New interventions are being developed, but the pace of innovation is slow. On average, it takes more than $2 billion and more than a decade to develop a new cancer drug. Patients and their families are facing a fight that can drain them physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually — and the care and support they receive must meet all of these needs.
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E. Brian Butler, MD
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Jim and Joan Harrell Chair in Radiation Oncology
Houston Methodist will accelerate investigations at the cutting-edge of cancer research — immunotherapy, gene therapy, nanomedicine, drug repositioning and more. We will prioritize research that has the best chance of making a difference for patients, and that will lead to the rapid application of inventive new treatment options. We will expand our capacity for clinical trials, which will give more patients access to the latest new cancer therapies. We will bolster our patient navigation and support services to ensure a seamless experience that treats patients from their diagnosis all the way through their recovery and beyond. Through these efforts to combine innovative therapy with unparalleled care, we will increase cancer survivorship rates. We will save more lives. Ultimately, through institutional investments and the priorities of this campaign, we will position ourselves for elite classification as a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, and establish Houston Methodist as a national destination for specialized cancer care.
WHY US? At Houston Methodist, the next generation of cancer medicine will be built on a strong foundation combining excellence, innovation and compassionate care. Houston Methodist is the second largest cancer care provider in the region, and our clinical outcomes are on par with or exceed those of any elite cancer center worldwide. This level of excellence is driven by a commitment to innovation. Fifty percent of all active research at the Houston Methodist Research Institute is related to cancer, and we have successfully deployed our translational research model to rapidly develop and deliver new cancer treatment to patients, saving lives. We combine excellence and innovation with cancer care that treats the whole patient — physically, emotionally and spiritually. We know that a significantly high percentage of cancer patients have a co-occurring disease, and that cancer takes an excessive toll on both the mind and body. Because Houston Methodist is a comprehensive academic medical center, our patients know that their cancer treatment will be coordinated with world-class care for other conditions, while also finding psychosocial support and spiritual care. It was with these unique strengths in mind that we identified the priority areas where philanthropy can most effectively help realize our vision for the next century of cancer care.
INNOVATION TO THE POWER OF M Our researchers have successfully: • Repurposed an existing drug into an effective new therapy for triple-negative breast cancer in only one year • Developed patented animal models with patient-derived cancer cells that are far more effective for testing new therapies than traditional models • Developed an artificial intelligence program to predict and diagnose breast cancer • Pioneered nanomedical approaches that target cancer cells with an unparalleled degree of accuracy and sophistication • Translated inventive new therapies from the lab to the clinic, including types of immunotherapy, gene therapy and more
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OUR STRATEGY Philanthropy has long played an integral role in the development of new weapons in the fight against cancer. From fueling research to training postgraduate fellows to providing screening, outreach and support, philanthropy at every level is working to transform the landscape of cancer treatment. To become a world-class cancer center for our region that puts the patient first, Houston Methodist will focus on four strategic campaign pillars:
ATTRACT BRILLIANCE We will add to the critical human element — the talent — that is at the heart of medical advancement, recruiting experts in key fields of research and clinical care.
ACCELERATE RESEARCH We will bolster research to speed innovative new therapies to patients as quickly as possible.
TRAIN SUPERSTARS We will recruit and train the next generation of cancer specialists.
PROMOTE HEALING We will combine innovative treatment with comprehensive, compassionate patient care.
KEY
PROGRAMS Brilliant physicians and scientists collaborating to deliver innovative new therapies to patients in a spiritual environment of caring are the factors that set Houston Methodist apart. Through the Leading Medicine to the Power of M Campaign, we now have the opportunity to multiply these strengths. The following are the specific, priority areas of focus for the Cancer Center. Bolstering these programs and initiatives with philanthropy will have the greatest impact on advancing compassionate cancer care to a new power — the Power of M. • Immunotherapy (page 6) • Innovative Therapies (page 7) • Clinical Trials (page 8) • Breast Cancer Center (page 9) • Fellowships (page 10) • Patient Experience (page 11)
STRATEGIC GOAL: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE The lynchpin of our strategy to develop a world class, patient-focused cancer center for our region is to position Houston Methodist for elite classification as a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. NCI-designated cancer centers are recognized for their scientific leadership, resources, and the depth and breadth of their research in basic, clinical and/or population science. These centers receive NCI grant funding that supports shared research resources, provides developmental funds to advance scientific goals, and fosters cancer programs that draw investigators from different disciplines together. The designation is highly influential in the ability for top investigators to attract grant funding and provides crucial support for translational research and clinical trials. Achieving NCI designation requires the buildup of our translational cancer research infrastructure as well as the recruitment of a critical mass of cancer researchers across multiple disciplines, subspecialties and research platforms. The Cancer Center’s philanthropic goals are aligned with meeting these requirements. The Leading Medicine to the Power of M Campaign can provide the philanthropic resources for the Cancer Center to achieve NCI designation and help spur new innovations in cancer therapy.
Eric Bernicker, MD
IMMUNOTHERAPY Weaponizing the immune system to fight cancer
“ It’s been clear for a while that chemo was not going to be the cure.” Eric Bernicker, MD, Houston Methodist Oncologist
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Houston Methodist Oncologist
One of the most promising areas of cancer research is immunotherapy, which enables a patient’s immune system to attack and destroy cancer cells. Houston Methodist is aggressively pursuing advances in this burgeoning field. We have developed unique capabilities in immunotherapy for lung cancer and triple negative breast cancer, been selected to lead groundbreaking immunotherapy studies by the Department of Defense, and recently recruited a world-renowned immunotherapy expert, Dr. Shu-Hsia Chen, from Mount Sinai in New York, to establish the Center for Immunotherapy Research at the Houston Methodist Cancer Center. Philanthropic investment will help accelerate and expand our research, attract additional immunotherapy specialists to fill out our team of experts, and hasten the availability of a new class of therapeutic options for cancer patients.
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INNOVATIVE
THERAPIES The cutting edge of advanced cancer therapeutics
We can transform how we fight cancer. New and inventive avenues of cancer research include: The Center for Drug Repositioning and Development (CREDO): Many of the drugs approved by the FDA for other uses may hold promise for the treatment of cancer. CREDO utilizes computational and experimental methods and tools to reposition known drugs for combating cancer. Philanthropic investment will enable our researchers to reposition existing, approved drugs, avoiding significant costs and the decades-long discovery process and ultimately, provide faster treatment to our patients. Personalized, precision medicine: Over the past decade, there have been significant advances in cancer research away from one-size-fits-all approaches and toward more precise, personalized medicine. We will leverage philanthropy to help multiple research teams investigate ways to leverage imaging, genetic information, nanomedicine and more to tailor personalized therapies capable of targeting cancer cells with unparalleled precision. This includes: • Nanotherapeutics • Imaging and theranostics • RNA therapeutics • Small molecule research
Radiation oncology: Houston Methodist has long been a trailblazer in the development of innovative radiation therapies that precisely target tumors and limit exposure to radiation. Twenty years ago, we were the first health care provider worldwide to offer intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). We have also developed first-of-its-kind imageguided radiation therapy (IGRT), including a new MRI technology that tracks tumor movements during treatment. Our Virtual Imaging Enhancement Environment creates a technologically stunning, colored 3D virtual model of a patient’s specific anatomy. Philanthropic support will bolster and expand our pioneering efforts to provide radiation therapy that is even less harmful to healthy tissue, more precise and more effective. Cancer Chemistry Lab: Chemistry plays a crucial role in drug development for cancer therapy, particularly in the initial stages of the drug development process. To bolster our capabilities for original drug development, we will seek philanthropic funds to recruit and establish a Cancer Chemistry Lab. Such a lab will be an integral part of our efforts to pioneer new and more effective therapies for cancer patients.
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CLINICAL
TRIALS
Helping patients benefit from the latest discoveries
“ If what you learn from me can help even one other person in the world, I want to be part of this program.� Matthew Futer, Houston Methodist patient
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Lidong Qin, PhD
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CPRIT Scholar in Cancer Research
Clinical trials are not only the final stage of testing for a new drug or therapeutic intervention. These studies also offer patients access to the latest groundbreaking cancer treatments before they are widely available, and are particularly valuable to patients with treatment-resistant cancers looking for experimental new options. Recent studies have demonstrated that patients who join clinical trials have a higher survival rate than those receiving standard of care. Expanding our capacity for clinical trials system-wide is therefore a major priority of our campaign, with an ultimate, long-term goal of enrolling 10 percent of all Houston Methodist cancer patients in clinical trials.
BREAST CANCER CENTER
The leading destination for breast cancer treatment in the region
More patients with breast cancer turn to Houston Methodist for treatment than any other hospital in the Houston area. Dr. Jenny Chang is a world renowned leader in breast cancer research who has developed revolutionary treatment options for some of the most aggressive and treatmentresistant types of breast cancers, particularly triple-negative breast cancer. Philanthropy in support of the Breast Cancer Center will expand translational research, innovative therapies, high risk genetic screening and counseling and more — helping to provide patients with a level of comprehensive breast cancer services and advanced new therapeutics unavailable anywhere else.
Emily Herrmann Chair in Cancer Research Emily Herrmann (pictured above) was a native Texan who spent 24 years as an executive with Walter Oil & Gas Corporation. In 2007 she lost her battle with cancer. To honor her humor, vitality and spirit and to leave a lasting legacy of hope for all who face a diagnosis of cancer, Emily’s family, friends and colleagues pooled their resources and raised the funds to create the Emily Herrmann Chair in Cancer Research. Dr. Jenny Chang, director of the Houston Methodist Cancer Center and one of the leading cancer researchers in the country, currently holds the Emily Herrmann Chair. Dr. Chang honors the important legacy of this chair through her commitment to finding new therapeutic approaches for the most difficult-to-treat forms of cancer. She is credited as one of the first investigators to describe tumor-initiating cells as resistant to chemotherapy, and her research into triple negative breast cancer — one of the most intractable and deadly forms of the disease — has led to new and more effective treatment options. Under Dr. Chang’s leadership, the Houston Methodist Cancer Center is pursuing innovations in drug repositioning, immunotherapy and more.
FELLOWSHIPS The future of advanced cancer care
Fellowships: Recognizing the value of attracting and supporting emergent health care professionals, the Houston Methodist Cancer Center will use philanthropy to help fund the education and training of young physicians and scientists seeking a specialization in oncology. By becoming part of our intellectually rich community of researchers and clinicians, fellows gain valuable professional experience in a leading health care center, receive guidance from seasoned mentoring professionals, build a network of peer and mentor contacts, and explore opportunities to center and extend specialized work in their chosen area of study and practice.
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“ With all the staff here … it felt like home, like family. I could tell you probably all of their birthdays and their kids’ names and their husbands’ and wives’ names. I can’t imagine being anywhere else. They saved my life here.” - Sophie Long, Houston Methodist patient
PATIENT EXPERIENCE A commitment to compassionate care
Putting the patient first means investing in programs and resources dedicated specifically to enhancing the patient experience. With philanthropic support, the following programs will make an appreciable difference throughout the diagnosis, treatment and recovery process. High Risk Clinic: Taking steps to prevent cancer or detect the disease early is one of the most effective ways to fight cancer, particularly for patients whose family history or lifestyle have placed them as high risk. Support of Houston Methodist’s High Risk Clinic will help patients with a stronger-than-average chance of developing cancer access a host of services — risk assessment, genetic screening and counseling, genetic testing, cancer surveillance, nutrition and lifestyle modification and education, and access to clinical study participation.
At left: Tejal Patel, MD Director, Houston Methodist Cancer Center High Risk Clinic
Patient Navigation and Support: Cancer patients and their families face myriad challenges, from coming to terms with a diagnosis, deciding on a treatment plan, coordinating care between specialists, and seeking help for financial, emotional and spiritual support. Our goal is to provide patients with a seamless treatment experience, providing guidance and support from diagnosis all the way through recovery and beyond — treating the patient for life. Philanthropy will help us achieve this. Support of our patient navigator program will give our patients the level of personalized attention and care they need. Philanthropy will also help support and expand our various patient support programs, including nutrition and wellness programs, patient support groups, financial counselors, spiritual care and psychosocial support. 11
JOIN US “Unless we make cancer a chronic disease or cure it, we’re not done.” Jenny Chang, MD Emily Herrmann Chair in Cancer Research Director, Houston Methodist Cancer Center
Houston Methodist has an expansive vision for the future of cancer care. We must take the promising breakthroughs happening in the lab today and translate them into viable new therapies for patients sooner rather than later. We must leverage the latest technology and research — immunotherapy, nanotherapy, genetics and more — and develop more effective, less harmful treatment options with the potential to revolutionize the way cancer is fought. We must deliver this level of care while shepherding patients and families through their entire experience, providing care with the compassionate, healing touch for which we have always been known. This formula — excellence multiplied by innovation and compassion — is Leading Medicine to the Power of M. We invite you to join us by lending your support to these groundbreaking endeavors, and help make this vision for the next century of cancer care a reality. 12
6565 Fannin St., Sunset 2 Houston, TX 77030 | 832.667.5816 Donation Address Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation PO Box 4384 Houston, TX 77210 powerofM.org