Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 25, No 16 (June 1), 2007: pp. 2151
© 2007 American Society of Clinical Oncology.
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2007.12.2457
Journal Honors Donald Parsons, MD, PhD, As Recipient of the 2007 JCO Young Investigator Award
The Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) is pleased to bestow its 2007 Young Investigator Award (YIA) to Donald W. Parsons, MD, PhD, currently chief fellow in the Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Johns Hopkins Hospital Children's Center (Baltimore, MD). The title of his award-winning research is "Further Exploration of the Human Cancer Genome: A Critical Evaluation of Candidate Cancer Genes as Potential Molecular Targets for Diagnostics and Therapeutics."
The YIA program developed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is a means of providing funding opportunities to young oncologists beginning their careers who may not have the full extent of resources available to them that more established researchers do. The original idea for JCO to sponsor a YIA came from George Canellos, MD, during his 1993 to 1994 tenure as ASCO's president to create an opportunity for the Journal to encourage researchers just starting out.
The Research
Dr Parsons' work with breast and colon cancer genomes revealed a remarkable level of mutational complexity within the two tumor types. His research has led to the identification of candidate cancer genes, most of which have not been previously associated with neoplasia.
Dr Parsons' first systematic analysis focused on the protein tyrosine kinases in colorectal carcinomas (138 genes), and he later expanded the study to include the entire protein kinase family (340 genes). Dr Parsons later examined tyrosine phosphatases and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases, which resulted in the most clinically interesting data. It became clear after these studies that an unbiased genomewide screening of genes was necessary to provide a comprehensive view of human cancer.
With this award, Dr Parsons' hopes to use "genomewide sequencing approaches to identify specific genes and genetic pathways, which may serve as targets for novel molecular diagnostics and therapeutics in human cancers." His long-term goal is to "facilitate the translation of some of these basic science discoveries into the improved care of children with cancer."
About Dr Parsons
Dr Parsons received his MD and PhD in pathology at Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus, OH. He has received numerous awards, including the Johns Hopkins Children's Center Department of Pediatrics Schwentker Award and the Society for Pediatric Research House Officer Research Award. Dr Parsons' interest in oncology began during his first clinical rotation—the pediatric oncology service. His research interest in cancer genetics began at roughly the same time during his graduate work in the laboratory of Thomas W. Prior, PhD, director of the Molecular Pathology Laboratory at Ohio State University. Dr Parsons states, "The basic training that I received in molecular genetics, in combination with the kind mentorship and encouragement provided by Dr Prior and the other members of his laboratory, served to motivate and prepare me for the initiation of a career in cancer genetics research."
Dr Parsons plans to focus his career on academic pediatric neuro-oncology, combining basic and translational research in cancer genetics with the clinical care of children with brain tumors.
The editors of JCO are delighted to honor Dr Parsons for his commitment to pharmacogenomics.
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Donald W. Parsons, MD, PhD
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