NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Recently, the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey (RCINJ) secured a $4.25 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to research innovative methods for treating for cancer patients with a variety of diagnoses.

By teaming up with researchers from the University of Wisconsin’s Carbone Center, RCINJ joined forces with an institution that are effective on a national scale to provide testing for newer methods of cancer treatment.

In a press release, Brian L. Strom, chancellor of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences School said, “This grant and collaboration between Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the University of Wisconsin exemplifies the importance of building bridges within and beyond our university to advance our research.”

Robert S. DiPaola, Director of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, is leading the clinical trials of “precision medicine.”

Precision medicine is a developing movement that seeks to tailor cancer treatments according to the unique specifications of cancer patients, and has grown in popularity over the past few years with notable researchers, scientists, and doctors joining the cause.

The research hopes to prove that targeted therapies can influence successes in patient treatment.  And experts say collaboration is key to making breakthroughs happen faster.

“While NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers including Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey are making great strides individually with precision medicine research, collaborative efforts between such centers offer a synergy and access to resources that can further advance such exploration at a more rapid pace.”

“By working together with colleagues at UW Carbone Cancer Center, we have enhanced opportunities to develop new mechanisms by which to guide more tailored therapies for patients,” said Dr. DiPaola.

The aim for the initiative is to broaden scientific understanding and cooperation, and provide more trial opportunities to be offered through the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program.

This initiative is one of Rutgers’ first cancer research collaborations with other members of the prestigious Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC), which acts as the academic arm of the Big Ten Conference athletic consortium.

The consortium is made up of 15 high-ranked universities, which includes the University of Chicago, the members of the Big Ten and the both of the Big Ten’s newest members: Rutgers and the University of Maryland.

Rutgers joined the CIC on July 1, 2013, one year before the school is scheduled to join the Big Ten.

Editor at New Brunswick Today | 732-993-9697 | editor@newbrunswicktoday.com | Website

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.