Radiation Oncology News Archive Featured in the Media JeffNEWS Kimmel Cancer Center

Adam P. Dicker, M.D, Ph.D., associate professor of radiation oncology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, and an internationally respected researcher in the areas of the epidermal growth factor receptor, nanoparticles, and brachytherapy for prostate cancer, has been appointed the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) Vice-Chair for Translational Research.

He also assumes responsibilities as chair of the RTOG Translational Research Program (TRP) committee. RTOG is a clinical research enterprise component of the American College of Radiology.

“Dr. Dicker has been an instrumental member of the RTOG TRP committee,” says RTOG Group Chair Walter J. Curran Jr., M.D., professor and chair of radiation oncology at Jefferson Medical College. Dr. Curran, who is also clinical director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson continues, “I know that under his leadership the committee will continue to enhance the organization’s research efforts.”

Among his current duties, Dr. Dicker is director of the Division of Experimental Radiation Oncology in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Jefferson Medical College.

He replaces Paul Okunieff, M.D., of the University of Rochester who served as RTOG vice-chair since 1999.

In his new role, Dr. Dicker will oversee all of the translational research conducted through RTOG. A primary goal will be to increase efforts in cancer informatics.

“Translational research will continue to be a major research effort at RTOG,” he says. “We’re entering an age of personalized medicine, and we’re trying to make predictions based on molecular signatures as to which patients may benefit from a particular therapy, as well as try to predict which patients could experience toxicity. Our ability to translate laboratory findings to the clinic depends on developing new tools and a better understanding of genomics and protein and molecular signatures. It’s an exciting time to be conducting medical research, bridging the laboratory and clinic.”

“This important new role for Dr. Dicker demonstrates the continued preeminence of Thomas Jefferson University and the Kimmel Cancer Center in developing new approaches for cancer,” says Richard G. Pestell, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson and professor and chair of cancer biology at Jefferson Medical College.

The RTOG TRP Committee sponsors research and educational programs that highlight emerging findings about tumor behavior, molecular mechanisms and the recent links between cancer therapy and disease. Committee members work with clinical scientists from both the academic and industrial communities to integrate new information into clinical trial designs.