KU News Release

KU to collaborate with K-State to pursue cancer center designation

TOPEKA — The University of Kansas is collaborating with Kansas State University to pursue a shared statewide goal: National Cancer Institute designation for the University of Kansas Cancer Center as a comprehensive cancer center.

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway joined Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and K-State President Jon Wefald to sign the agreement on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

“How do we ensure that Kansans get healing health care? How do we make sure that we have access to clinical trials for cancer, treatment for life-threatening diseases? The answer is the collective power of collaboration — people working together to make a difference in the lives of others,” Hemenway said.

The agreement allows eligible researchers at K-State to participate in Cancer Center pilot projects, seminars and disease working groups and for both institutions to share resources and collaborate in other ways in the push toward NCI designation.

Sebelius likened the pursuit of NCI designation to the successful campaign to locate the $450 million National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan.

“The NBAF initiative proved that Kansans can achieve great things when they unite behind a common goal — NCI designation is such a goal,” Sebelius said. “This opportunity can provide our state with new financial resources for research that can save, extend and enhance the lives of Kansans diagnosed with cancer.”

The KU Cancer Center will apply for NCI designation in September 2011, a rigorous review process, said Dr. Roy Jensen, director of the center. Benefits of NCI designation include increased patient access to cutting-edge clinical trials, the ability to attract world-class cancer researchers and cancer-care clinicians, increased access to NCI research funding and major economic benefits for the region.

K-State joins a “cancer team” that includes researchers at the KU Lawrence campus and its School of Pharmacy, the KU Medical Center campuses in Kansas City and Wichita, the University of Kansas Hospital, the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and the Midwest Cancer Alliance — a network of hospitals providing cancer care across the region that was created to partner in the NCI drive.

Also present at the announcement were Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson; Barbara Atkinson, executive vice chancellor of the KU Medical Center; and Tom Thornton, president and CEO of the Kansas Bioscience Authority.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.