'A great step in the fight to prevent, cure cancer': University of Texas researcher receives grant to study tumors

Claudio E. Tatsui, a researcher and MD at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, has been named a recipient of grant funding for his work in the study and treatment of cancerous spinal tumors.

More than $2 million is to be awarded to researchers from the AACR Novacure Grants for Tumor Treating Fields Research Program. This is the third year the grant money has been awarded, the Novacure website said.

The project is a joint partnership between Novacure and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), and is the largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and treatment.

"I am proud to see that MD Anderson's own Dr. Claudio Tatsui was awarded a Novocure and AACR grant to study Tumor Treating Fields in the therapy of spinal metastases,” U.S. Rep. Michael McCall (R-Houston) said in a tweet. “I know this will be a great step in the fight to prevent and cure cancer."

Based in Saint Helier, New Jersey, Novocure is an oncology company founded in 2000 that develops treatments for solid-tumor cancers. The company is noted for its development of electrical fields called “Optune” in the treatment of brain tumors.

The report said grant recipients will receive from $100,000 to $250,000 over the next two years including research grants and career development awards.

“We are so proud of this year’s recipients of the AACR-Novocure Grants for Tumor Treating Fields Research,” Asaf Danziger, Novocure’s chief executive officer said. “We are honored to collaborate with the AACR as we continue to deepen our understanding of the mechanism of action of Tumor Treating Fields. We wish great success to the recipients as they conduct this important work.”

Tatsui is widely known for his work in the treatment of spinal and brain metastasized tumors. Originally from Brazil, he is an associate professor at the Department of Neurosurgery at MD Anderson.

His MD Anderson bio page said he is working on revolutionary treatments including the creation of an animal model that will reproduce the kind of spine tumors found in humans so that effective treatment interventions can be developed.