Stephen Gruber, director of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Art Ulene, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and professional speaker, addressed attendees at the Norris Ambassadors luncheon on Nov. 8. (Photo by Hope Hamashige

By Amy E. Hamaker

Nearly 30 people gathered in the Norris Research Tower on Nov. 8 to learn more about the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and how it's advancing precision cancer care. The gathering was the first for Norris Ambassadors, a group of supporters of the cancer center who want to help promote and share the cancer center's mission with family and friends.

After an in-depth introduction "interview" conducted by Art Ulene, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and medical editor for NBC's "Today Show" for 23 years, Stephen Gruber, director of the cancer center, took the lead as the featured speaker.

Within the context of cancer incidence in Los Angeles, Gruber described his vision of the future of cancer care at USC. "One million cancer cases were diagnosed in L.A. County between 1976 and 2006," said Gruber. "We have a lot of capacity to educate people on how to change, and to make important interventions in younger people."

To be a comprehensive cancer center, explained Gruber, a center must show that it is doing innovative cancer research, providing outstanding clinical care, and is integrated into the community with a population-based focus. The USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center was one of the first eight designated by the National Cancer Institute as comprehensive and has the world's only epigenome center.

"Cancer is a genetic disease in essence: a disease of DNA," Gruber said. "Epigenetics are playing a critical role in understanding why tumors behave how they do, and we know that cancer arises from mutations in genes." He explained how cells mutate into cancer cells, and how through introducing the principles of cancer genetics to cancer prevention and treatment, drugs can be precisely matched to an individual's cancer.

"This is a big, big enterprise--our goal is to offer precision cancer care to every patient enrolled in clinical trials at Norris,&ldquo he added. "This will take a massive investment of scientific energy.

"Precision cancer care is the No. 1 priority of our strategic planning," Gruber noted. "It requires investment, and that's where it requires your advocacy. We can make the future of cancer care a reality with your help and commitment."