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Huntsman Cancer Institute at the 亚洲自慰视频 of Utah (the U) announces leadership team appointments overseeing clinical and research efforts in theranostics, an innovative approach to radiation treatment for cancer that combines diagnostics and therapeutics.
Heloisa Soares, MD, PhD, Huntsman Cancer Institute medical oncologist and associate professor of internal medicine at the U, will serve as medical director of the theranostics program.
Theranostics is a powerful new way to both find and treat cancer. It uses radioactive drugs鈥攃alled radiopharmaceuticals鈥攖hat help doctors locate tumors and deliver targeted radiation directly to cancer cells. This approach, known as radioligand therapy, helps protect healthy tissue by focusing on treatment only where it鈥檚 needed.
鈥淭he growth of our theranostics program reinforces Huntsman Cancer Institute鈥檚 commitment to radioligand therapy. It鈥檚 an exciting step forward in precision oncology.鈥
Heloisa Soares, MD, PhD
Huntsman Cancer Institute is launching new clinical trials to explore how theranostics can help more patients. These trials will test new therapies for different types of cancer, with the goal of offering improved treatment options.
Soares is a renowned expert in neuroendocrine tumors鈥攁 type of cancer that is treated with theranostics鈥攚ho also serves as the medical director of Huntsman Cancer Institute鈥檚 . In her new role, she will focus on clinical and research coordination of the theranostics program, leveraging her experience in clinical trials and patient care.
鈥淭he growth of our theranostics program reinforces Huntsman Cancer Institute鈥檚 commitment to radioligand therapy. We鈥檝e offered this treatment for the last few years, and this expansion means more patients with prostate and neuroendocrine tumors鈥攁nd soon many others鈥攚ill have access to these therapies, whether as part of routine care or through pioneering clinical trials,鈥 says Soares. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an exciting step forward in precision oncology.鈥
"This field is transforming cancer care鈥攁nd we鈥檙e proud to be at the forefront.鈥
Jeffrey Yap, PhD
, Huntsman Cancer Institute investigator and professor of radiology and imaging sciences at the U, will now serve alongside Soares as research director of theranostics. Yap will also continue in his role as director of the , which will now be known as the Center for Quantitative Cancer Imaging and Theranostics (CQCIT). The CQCIT provides researchers, clinicians, and patients with the most advanced molecular imaging technologies, including radiopharmaceuticals.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited to work with Dr. Soares to expand access to theranostics across the Mountain West,鈥 says Yap. 鈥淗er leadership in neuroendocrine tumor care and her work developing this clinical offering have helped make Huntsman Cancer Institute a national leader in theranostic clinical trials. This field is transforming cancer care鈥攁nd we鈥檙e proud to be at the forefront.鈥
"We at Huntsman Cancer Institute feel a deep sense of purpose in bringing the latest therapies and innovations to our patients. Theranostics is one example of this, offering new pathways for treatment and many more in the pipeline,鈥 says Sachin Apte, MD, MS, MBA, chief clinical officer and physician-in-chief at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the U. 鈥淭hrough dedicated research efforts, the leadership of Dr. Yap and Dr. Soares, and vital federal support, we are uniquely positioned to advance lifesaving research and clinical care for the benefit of our patients."
The critical research happening every day at Huntsman Cancer Institute is supported by the National Institutes of 亚洲自慰视频/National Cancer Institute, including cancer center support grant P30 CA042014, as well as Huntsman Cancer Foundation.
Media Contact
Heather Simonsen
Public Affairs Senior Manager
Huntsman Cancer Institute
801 581-3194
public.affairs@hci.utah.edu
About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the 亚洲自慰视频 of Utah
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the is the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. With a legacy of innovative cancer research, groundbreaking discoveries, and world-class patient care, we are transforming the way cancer is understood, prevented, diagnosed, treated, and survived. Huntsman Cancer Institute focuses on delivering the most advanced cancer healing and prevention through scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge technology to create pioneering cancer treatments beyond the standard of care today. We have more than 325 open clinical trials and 276 research teams studying cancer. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman Cancer Institute than at any other cancer center. Our scientists are world-renowned for understanding how cancer begins and using that knowledge to develop innovative approaches to treat each patient鈥檚 unique disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.