DETROIT �?? The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute�??s National Oncogenomics and Molecular Imaging Center will soon get a $4,672,000 in federal appropriations from the U.S. Army to help develop technology that will allow for the diagnosis of human cancer by defining oncogene signatures that characterize cancers in individual patients.

The federal funding, which will be allocated over the next two years, was spearheaded and supported by Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Congressman Joe Knollenberg (R- Oakland County, MI).

�??This is spectacular news for the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and those battling cancer,�?� said Karmanos President and Chief Executive Officer John C. Ruckdeschel, M.D. �??This recognition helps validate the innovative, cutting-edge research being done here at the Karmanos Cancer Institute that will help us bring even the deadliest forms of cancer under greater control.�?�

Under the terms of the governmental contract, $2,127,000 will be released from August 20, 2008 �?? September 19, 2009. Another $2,545,000 in federal funds will be received by Karmanos Cancer Institute during the same time frame the following year.

Karmanos�?? NOMIC is developing technology that will allow for the diagnosis of human cancer by defining oncogene signatures that characterize cancers in individual patients. Oncogenes are the mutated forms of genes that cause normal cells to grow out of control and become cancer cells. The center will provide imaging technology capable of greatly improving the detection of genes that cause cancer, as well as measure the treatment response.

According to Dr. Ruckdeschel, this is a new frontier in cancer biology and brings with it the possibility of patient-specific treatments, with greater effectiveness and reduced toxicity.

�??We are extremely grateful to Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow and Congressman Joe Knollenberg who have helped make these funds possible,�?� Dr. Ruckdeschel said. �??Thanks to their determination, tenacity and resolve, we are receiving these funds to support cutting-edge cancer research.�?� Continuing, Dr. Ruckdeschel said, �??It provides the underpinning to help us develop a molecular diagnostic method to create specific and personalized cancer treatments. This clearly is good news for those facing a cancer diagnosis.�?�

The intellectual and technical advancements as well as the research gained in the NOMIC will also be shared with military hospitals not only in this nation, but worldwide. This will allow the United States military to globally provide state-of-the science cancer care to military personnel, veterans and their families.

Dr. Ruckdeschel is Principal Investigator for the National Oncogenomics and Molecular Imaging Center at Karmanos Cancer Institute. The Project Director is Karmanos�?? Stephen Ethier, Ph.D., Associate Center Director, Basic Research and Deputy Director; and the Co-Investigator is Anthony Shields, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Center Director, Clinical Research for Karmanos.

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