Oncologists recognized by ESMO for outstanding contributions to cancer research and treatment
The European Society for Medical oncology (ESMO) has honored three of Europe’s leading medical oncologists with prestigious awards recognizing their achievements in clinical care and research.
“The eminent oncologists we are celebrating with these awards have each made enormous contributions to the care of patients with cancer,” said Prof David Kerr, ESMO President. “We congratulate them and thank them for their unstinting efforts on behalf of others.”
The 2011 ESMO Award has been granted to Prof Johann de Bono of The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden’s Hospital in the UK, for his outstanding contributions in translational and clinical research, innovative treatment, education and development of international guidelines for prostate cancer management.
“Prof de Bono has undertaken exceptional work in the development of a number of new innovative compounds for several new indications in oncology and has made important contributions to the development of new drugs in prostate cancer, particularly through excellence in translational research and study design,” said Dr Josep Tabernero, Chair of the ESMO Fellowship and Award Committee.
The ESMO Award is conferred on an ESMO member who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of oncology in Europe and who recognizes the importance of promoting oncology as a specialty within the international community.
“This award is a great encouragement and will spur me on to continue to serve cancer patients,” Prof de Bono said. “Drug development in oncology has made substantial strides forward over the last decade. While much still needs to be done, we can now be confident that much will be accomplished in the years ahead.”
The Hamilton Fairley Award for 2011 has been awarded to Prof Rafael Rosell of the Catalan Institute of Oncology in Badalona, Spain. Prof Rosell is a leading figure in the field of lung cancer, who established a productive group of clinical and laboratory investigators in the Medical Oncology Department at Hospital Trias i Pujol, which has become one of the leading centers in lung cancer management.
“Prof Rosell’s contributions range from tumor biology and prognostic and treatment-predictive markers, to clinical trials involving chemotherapy and targeted agents with careful dedication to personalized medicine,” said Dr Tabernero.
The Hamilton Fairley Award commemorates one of the founding fathers of Medical Oncology in Europe and is presented to candidates who are internationally recognized for lifetime achievements in science and clinical/laboratory research.
“Nowadays, clinical achievements are basically propelled by translational research and therefore this award is a recognition of a multidisciplinary effort,” Prof Rosell said. “It is a great honor for me to receive this award, but more importantly, I believe that the award is a recognition of the collective group of clinical and laboratory investigators, as well as statisticians and other key persons involved.”
The ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011 goes to Prof Hans Jörg Senn of the Tumor and Breast Centre ZeTuP, in St Gallen, Switzerland.
“Prof Senn is being recognized for his work in organizing educational activities, which set the standards of care in breast cancer, mainly in relation to adjuvant treatment, as well as bringing prevention strategies to Medical Oncologists in Europe,” said Prof Franco Cavalli, Chair of the ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award Committee. “His outstanding efforts through the organization of Consensus Conferences among breast cancer experts focused attention on addressing subtle questions in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer, which presented a dilemma for practicing physicians.”
The ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award is bestowed on international research teams or individuals with demonstrated commitment to cancer research treatment. Through his work in leading an annual conference in St. Gallen, Prof Senn has taken an important lead in the optimization of treatment for early breast cancer. “He has contributed enormously to the development of the treatment of early breast cancer. The consensus statements generated at the St Gallen events are very important standards in clinical practice worldwide,” said Prof Cavalli.
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