Newswise — CHICAGO — Lawrence H. Einhorn, M.D., distinguished professor of medicine and the Lance Armstrong Foundation chair in oncology at the Indiana University School of Medicine, and a physician-researcher at Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Ind., will be awarded the 17th Annual AACR Joseph H. Burchenal Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Cancer Research at the AACR Annual Meeting 2012, held here March 31 – April 4.
The award is presented to a scientist who has made outstanding achievements in clinical cancer research. Einhorn’s lecture, “Curing testicular cancer: Present studies and future challenges,” is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT on April 3 in room S100 of McCormick Place South.
“I want to very graciously express my appreciation and humility at being the recipient of the Joseph Burchenal Award for Clinical Research,” said Einhorn. “Successful clinical research is never performed by one individual in a vacuum, and I have the opportunity to work with many extraordinary colleagues. I never had the opportunity to become closely acquainted with Dr. Burchenal, but he was one of my early idols in oncology.”
Einhorn’s clinical interests include solid tumor oncology, specifically within the fields of genitourinary and lung cancers. His legacy will be forever linked, however, with revolutionizing testicular cancer treatment. At one point, patients diagnosed with testicular cancer had approximately a 10 percent chance of survival when they developed metastatic disease.
Einhorn’s research drastically altered this number when he first studied platinum combination chemotherapy in patients with metastatic testicular cancer. This monumental finding has resulted in current survival rates for metastatic testicular cancer at 80 percent.
Einhorn rose to even greater prominence when he used his novel treatment paradigm to treat Lance Armstrong, cancer advocate and seven-time winner of the Tour de France. With Einhorn’s treatment, Armstrong survived stage 3 testicular cancer that initially presented with abdominal, brain and lung metastases. Like Armstrong, Einhorn remains dedicated to raising cancer awareness. He was appointed the first Lance Armstrong Foundation professor of oncology in 2006.
After receiving his medical degree from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Einhorn completed fellowships at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, and the Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis. Einhorn has published more than 450 peer-reviewed articles. His work has garnered many accolades, including AACR Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Memorial Award, American Society of Clinical Oncology Karnofsky Award, American Cancer Society Medal of Honor, and the General Motors Kettering Prize. In addition, Einhorn is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and American Philosophical Society.
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About the AACR
Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the world’s first and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure cancer. AACR’s membership includes 34,000 laboratory, translational and clinical researchers; population scientists; other health care professionals; and cancer advocates residing in more than 90 countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise of the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, biology, diagnosis and treatment of cancer by annually convening more than 20 conferences and educational workshops, the largest of which is the AACR Annual Meeting with more than 18,000 attendees. In addition, the AACR publishes seven peer-reviewed scientific journals and a magazine for cancer survivors, patients and their caregivers. The AACR funds meritorious research directly as well as in cooperation with numerous cancer organizations. As the Scientific Partner of Stand Up To Cancer, the AACR provides expert peer review, grants administration and scientific oversight of individual and team science grants in cancer research that have the potential for patient benefit. The AACR actively communicates with legislators and policymakers about the value of cancer research and related biomedical science in saving lives from cancer.
For more information about the AACR, visit www.AACR.org.
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