News

IU Simon Cancer Center’s Dr. Sledge earns national award for research

BY

Indianapolis (October 9, 2007) — An Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center breast cancer specialist’s research earned him a national award Tuesday in New York.

Dr. George Sledge, co-director of the breast cancer program at IU Simon Cancer Center and Ballve-Lantero Professor of Oncology in the hematology/oncology division, received the Jill Rose Award for Distinguished Scientific Achievement from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation during its annual symposium and awards luncheon.

According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Sledge was chosen “for his stellar research in anti-angiogenesis, which has hastened the development of effective new treatments for breast cancer.”

Sledge specializes in the study and treatment of breast cancer and directed the first large, nationwide study on the use of paclitaxel (Taxol) to treat advanced breast cancer. His involvement with the design and implementation of pivotal trials such as this one has been critical in the development of adjuvant therapies to improve the survival rate among women with this form of the disease.

Sledge’s recent research focuses on novel biologic treatments for breast cancer, particularly the development of anti-angiogenic therapy (treatment that is designed to prevent the development of new blood vessels in human cancers).

Also during the event, the foundation awarded more than $32 million in grants to 150 researchers to support scientists at leading medical institutions worldwide who are conducting the most advanced and promising breast cancer research.

The following IU Simon Cancer Center physicians and researchers were named grant recipients:

• Dr. Kathy Miller, an associate professor of medicine in the division of hematology/oncology
• Dr. Susan Clare, an assistant professor in the surgery department
• Dr. George Sledge
• Dr. Anna Maria Storniolo, professor of clinical medicine in the division of hematology/oncology

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation was founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder and has raised more than $180 million to support research.