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Creating a global leader in research and treatment
By Lisa Soule and Brenda Wallin (from Quarterly)

With a novel approach that links new discoveries and clinical care, Dr. Arthur Frankel hopes the new Cancer Research Institute in Temple will launch Scott & White into the global spotlight.

Dr. Frankel and his team of researchers recently came to Temple from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where they had several projects in progress. Those studies and connected grants, which include potential treatments for melanoma, leukemia, brain tumors, lung cancer and other diseases, followed them to Scott & White.

For Central Texas patients, the Institute means ready access to second opinions and innovative treatments for some of the world's deadliest diseases. For the academic world, the Institute represents a true partnership between research and patient care.

Taking Bench Research to Bedside Treatment
While the field of academic medical research generally operates independently of clinical care, Dr. Frankel is intent on creating a model here that zeroes in exclusively on work that will go from bench to bedside. In doing so, Dr. Frankel said Scott & White will determine a narrowed and focused approach for its Cancer Research Institute.

Accelerating New Drug Development
Dr. Frankel hopes to find that niche in accelerating the pace for new drug development. Traditional processes for new pharmaceuticals often carry a decade-long timeline from conception to implementation. However, by working closely with pharmaceutical companies, entrepreneurs and the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Frankel hopes to bring new therapeutics from molecular design to patient care in less than half the traditional time required.

"Where others see hurdles, Scott & White, with its long history of clinical care, can get the trial drugs to the patients," Frankel said.

Innovative Treatment
One of the potential new treatments under review is a melanoma drug that stems from research using toxin-fusion protein therapy and anthrax. The anthrax is re-engineered to attack only the cancerous tissue and leave regular tissue unharmed. Similar treatments, which reduce the side effects often seen with chemotherapy and radiation therapies, are also under review.

Research Integrated with Care
In addition to speeding up the drug development process, Dr. Frankel's research model also calls for integrating research support staff into clinical care, making them part of the care team. By creating unique care “pods,” research nurses will be making a bedside connection while remaining in close contact with doctors and other care team members.

"This is not being done in very many places," Dr. Frankel noted. "But it is valuable both to the clinical and the research side and serves both patients and new discoveries."

International Involvement
The Institute is partnering with national and international institutions and companies to bring new cancer treatments into the forefront. Studies are already under way in Canada, and many European entities have shown a keen interest in Dr. Frankel's work.

In August 2005, Scott & White signed a multi-year agreement with OncoTac, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, to provide research, development and testing at the Cancer Research Institute at Scott & White.

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