Congress awards $2 million to help IU develop a new cancer treatment

Brand

Cameron

This project was IU’s top priority in the budget process this past year and received strong support from Indiana’s congressional delegation, as well as members of Congress from other regions to be served by MPRI.

Proton therapy offers potential for eradicating cancer cells with fewer side effects and without significantly damaging surrounding tissue, particularly in the treatment of small lesions or tumors close to critical organs.

A consortium of physicians and scientists from throughout the Midwest formed the MPRI, providing increased accessibility for this emerging cancer treatment. One-quarter of Americans live within a day’s drive of this new center, which will provide a treatm ent option currently available on either the East or West coasts.

IU President Myles Brand said the funding will help leverage other government support for this project, which received $10 million from the state during the last legislative session.

“This is another important step in our efforts to leverage funding for MPRI and build on our strong research capabilities,” Brand said. “This project will be of lasting benefit not only to Indiana University and the people of Indiana, but throughout the r egion.”

“This is another positive development in our efforts to make the most of our faculty and facilities,” said George Walker, IU vice president for research and dean of the University Graduate School. “It builds on our research prowess in medicine and physics in ways that generate tremendous benefits.”

“These funds will be combined with the funding provided by the state legislature to move the cyclotron into the new millennium, allowing us to extend the boundaries of science in a promising area of cancer research and treatment,” added John Cameron, dire ctor of the IU Cyclotron Facility.

One of seven proton accelerators in North America, the cyclotron has operated for more than 25 years as a member of the world network of major facilities for research in sub-atomic physics. It is used by more than 400 scientists from 14 countries. There a re two proton therapy facilities in the nation, one in California and one in Massachusetts. This would be the first such facility in the Midwest.

http://www.iucf.indiana.edu/MPRI/about.htm