August 7, 2009
Description
The FDA announced on August 4, 2009 that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers used in the treatment of immune disorders carry an increased risk of lymphoma and other cancers in children and adolescents. The discoverer of TNF-alpha, Lloyd J. Old, M.D., a tumor immunologist, is available for comment on the link between TNF and cancer, and how the FDA's findings support recent discoveries by tumor immunologists about the immune system's relationship to cancer.
Suggested Expert
Lloyd J. Old, M.D.
Lloyd J. Old, M.D., is director of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (LICR) New York Branch. He is also director of the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) Scientific Advisory Council, director of the CRI/LICR Cancer Vaccine Collaborative, and director of the CRI Cancer Vaccine Consortium. He has been a member of the National Academy of Sciences since 1978.
Dr. Old’s previous appointments include LICR scientific director (1988-2005), chairman of the LICR Board of Directors (2005-2009), and associate director of research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
In 1975, Dr. Old identified tumor necrosis factor-alpha, the target of therapies cited in the FDA report that treat diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and other immune disorders. He is one of the pioneers in tumor immunology, having made some of the most important contributions to that field from both the lab bench and the board room table. As the discoverer of TNF-alpha and as one of the leading tumor immunologists, he is qualified to provide insight into the relationship between cancer, the immune system, TNF-alpha, and the benefits and risks of anti-TNF-alpha therapeutics.
He is one of the most highly cited researchers in the field, and is an international award-winning scientific luminary who has helped to forge alliances among academic and industry interests in order to accelerate the scientifically prudent advancement of cancer vaccines.
For a more detailed biography of Dr. Old, visit:
http://www.cancerresearch.org/board/Lloyd-Old.html
For a description of Dr. Old's key scientific contributions, visit:
http://www.cancerresearch.org/Programs.aspx?id=2290
Contact
For interviews with Dr. Lloyd J. Old, please contact:
Brian M. Brewer
Director of Communications
Cancer Research Institute
bbrewer@cancerresearch.org
+1 212 688 7515 ext. 242
About the Cancer Research Institute
The Cancer Research Institute (CRI) is the world’s only non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to the support and coordination of scientific and clinical efforts that will lead to the immunological treatment, control, and prevention of cancer. Guided by a world-renowned Scientific Advisory Council that includes four Nobel Prize winners and twenty-nine members of the National Academy of Sciences, CRI supports leading-edge cancer research at top medical centers and universities throughout the world. The Cancer Research Institute is ushering in a new era of scientific progress, hastening the discovery of effective cancer vaccines and other immune-based therapies that are providing new hope to cancer patients.
The Cancer Research Institute has one of the lowest overhead expense ratios among non-profit organizations, with more than 85 percent of its resources going directly to the support of its science, medical, and research programs. CRI meets or exceeds all 20 standards of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, the most comprehensive U.S. charity evaluation service, and according to Charity Navigator exceeds or meets industry standards and performs as well as or better than most cancer charities. CRI has also received an 'A' grade for fiscal disclosure and efficiency from the American Institute of Philanthropy as well as top accolades from other charity watchdog organizations. http://www.cancerresearch.org.