Newswise — PHILADELPHIA—Radiation oncologist Robert B. Den, M.D., recently joined Thomas Jefferson University Hospital as an attending physician, and was also named an assistant professor at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in the Department of Radiation Oncology.
Dr. Den is a clinical scientist who specializes in the treatment of prostate cancer, combining his laboratory research that investigates novel anticancer agents in combination with radiation and hormonal therapy for locally advanced and high risk prostate cancer.
A graduate of Yale University with a B.S. in chemistry, Dr. Den received his medical degree from Harvard University in 2006. Dr. Den’s postgraduate training began at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston as an intern of medicine before becoming a resident in radiation oncology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital from 2007 to 2010, and ultimately serving as chief resident (2010-2011).
Dr. Den will serve as a radiation oncologist in the Bodine Center for Radiation Therapy at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson.
“I’m looking forward to continuing my prostate cancer research with my colleagues here at Jefferson, including the department’s chair, Dr. Adam Dicker, and Dr. Karen Knudsen,” said Dr. Den. “What’s equally important is taking that research to bedside so patients may benefit.”
“Our goal is to personalize the care for each man with prostate cancer, to effectively eradicate the disease,” he added.
Dr. Den is the 2010 recipient of the prestigious Prostate Cancer Foundation Ben Franklin Young Investigator Award. That work is examining the importance of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene, RB, in the response of prostate cancer cells to radiation and hormonal therapy. The research begins to address the ability to personalize therapy based on RB status.
Expanding on that research, Dr. Den is also the principal investigator for a Department of Defense Physician Research Training Award to study whether RB can be used to determine which therapeutic modalities should be administered to patients with locally advanced prostate cancer. He is also working towards opening a clinical trial to study preoperative radiation for high risk prostate cancer patients.
Dr. Den is member of several professional societies including the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and has co-authored over 25 scientific papers, abstracts and book chapters.
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