TGen’s Dr. Von Hoff is Named a “Giant of Cancer Care”

November 10, 2016
Edited For Length and Style

Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, Physician-In-Chief and Distinguished Professor at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), has been selected as a 2016 Giant of Cancer Care. Honor recognizes the devotion of time, talent and resources to improving the care of cancer patients.

The award was announced today during the 34th annual Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium in New York.

Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, a world-renowned expert in pancreatic cancer, was honored for his work in the field of gastrointestinal cancer. He was selected from among nearly 200 nominees and 46 finalists in 10 categories by Giants of Cancer Care, which is presented by OncLive.

“It is our privilege to honor such an esteemed member of the oncology community with this award and commemorate your achievements and the significant impact you have had on the profession, your peers, and the patients everywhere,” according to a letter announcing Dr. Von Hoff’s selection. The Giants of Cancer Care recognition program honors those who have devoted their time, talent and resources to improving care for patients and families who are affected by cancer. Their discoveries have propelled the field forward and established the building blocks for future advances. Recipients demonstrate the qualities of unlimited selflessness, compassion for their patients, and a desire to understand and develop life-changing treatments.

“It is indeed an honor to be recognized along with so many other fine physicians and researchers devoted to improving the lives of people,” said Dr. Von Hoff, who has been instrumental in developing numerous new cancer treatments. He also is Chief Scientific Officer at HonorHealth Research Institute, and Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Von Hoff currently leads an international Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) Pancreatic Cancer Dream Team, developing new treatments for this disease. It is one of three SU2C Dream Team grants awarded to TGen.

“Without question, Dr. Von Hoff is one of the world’s most accomplished cancer physician-researchers, and certainly is deserving of being considered a Giant of Cancer Care,” said Dr. Jeffrey Trent, TGen President and Research Director. “His contributions and commitment to patient care are extraordinary.”

Dr. Von Hoff graduated cum laude from Carroll University, and received his M.D. from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, then completed a medical oncology fellowship at the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Von Hoff served a six-year term on President Bush’s National Cancer Advisory Board (2004-10).   He is a Fellow and past President of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the world’s largest cancer research organization; a Fellow of the American College of Physicians; and a Fellow and past board member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). He received ASCO’s 2010 David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award for his outstanding contributions to cancer research leading to significant improvement in patient care.

Dr. Von Hoff also is the recipient of the Wallace A. Reed, M.D. Award, recognizing his accomplishments in advancing innovative cancer treatments, from the Arizona Medical Association; and the Award of Excellence from the Hope Funds for Cancer Research, for his work over the past decade in the clinical development of many new cancer treatments.

Dr. Von Hoff and his colleagues have conducted early clinical investigations of many new cancer agents, including: gemcitabine, docetaxel, paclitaxel, topotecan, irinotecan, fludarabine, mitoxantrone, dexrazoxane, nab-paclitaxel, vismodegib, and others. These treatments are helping many patients with breast, ovarian, prostate, colon, leukemia, advanced basal cell and pancreatic cancers.