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| View the video archive of Dell's November 10th press briefing by clicking on the video image. |
Date: 11/10/2011
New York, New York
- Dell donates cloud capability to assist TGen and NMTRC/VARI in their clinical research to identify targeted treatments for children fighting the deadliest of pediatric cancers and to expand the reach and impact of the world’s first personalized medicine clinical trial for pediatric cancer
- Dell launches new multi-million dollar, multi-year commitment to pediatric cancer as expansion of company’s overall philanthropic program — Dell Powering the Possible
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Dell today announced a major commitment of funding, employee engagement and cloud computing technology to support pediatric cancer research programs globally, including the world’s first personalized medicine trial for pediatric cancer conducted by the Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium (NMTRC) and supported by The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen). TGen will use its genomic technology within Dell’s donated cloud to help NMTRC identify a greater depth of personalized treatment strategies for children with neuroblastoma who are enrolled in NMTRC’s clinical trial.
Dell is expanding its Powering the Possible program to focus on neuroblastoma and other pediatric cancers because of the devastating nature of the disease and to address the void of new and innovative treatments available for children. Since the 1980s, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved only one new treatment for any type of childhood cancer, compared with 50 approved treatments for adult cancers in the same time period. Through Powering the Possible, Dell is making a multi-year, multi-million dollar commitment of funds and employee volunteerism to support innovative pediatric treatment programs globally.
"Trial and Error" treatment ineffective and time consuming
Neuroblastoma strikes one in 100,000 children annually, usually before the age of 5, and despite it being so rare, it is so deadly that it is responsible for one in seven pediatric cancer deaths. It attacks the sympathetic nervous system, which controls heart rate, blood pressure and digestion, with aggressive tumors that are unique to each child. In fact, it is the unique and aggressive nature of neuroblastoma tumors that render ineffective conventional approaches to developing a blockbuster, one-size-fits-all treatment to the disease. With little commercially or federally funded research underway because of its small patient base, parents and pediatric oncologists have relied largely on "trial and error" in their search for a treatment that will work from among the hundreds of available adult cancer trials.
Genomic guided treatment underway
To overcome these challenges, parents and physicians and scientists from the NMTRC, the Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) and TGen have teamed to launch the world’s first personalized medicine clinical trial investigation for pediatric cancer. The trial, funded primarily by parents of children with neuroblastoma and their foundations, is based on research from a group of collaborating investigators who are developing a personalized medicine process that is intended to permit near “real time” processing of information on patient tumors and prediction of best drugs for a specific patient.
This process generates more than 200 billion measurements per patient that must be analyzed, shared and stored. Unfortunately, the computation and analysis of this information can take weeks to months to process, and the magnitude of this task has limited the depth and number of pediatric cancer patients who can be included in this groundbreaking clinical trial.
Dell-donated cloud gives TGen and NMTRC power to do more for pediatric cancer
Dell-donated cloud solution will provide needed computing power to help increase TGen’s gene sequencing and analysis capacity by 1,200 percent1 and improve collaboration between the team of physicians, genetic researchers, pharmacists and computer scientists working on the trial. Specifically, scientists and physicians will use the donated cloud to investigate new technologies that accelerate genetic analysis and for the identification of targeted treatments for each patient from months to days. The additional computing power will also improve the availability of critical information and allow researchers to develop a real-time knowledge repository of the latest findings on the most effective treatments for oncologists to use globally. The researchers also intend to use the donated cloud to expand the program’s participation from a handful of children today to hundreds of children over the next three years, with the goal of establishing an information framework that, subject to regulatory approval, could one day help thousands of pediatric cancer patients. The new TGen cloud will also facilitate rapid transfer of information to international partners and lay the groundwork for expansion of the trial to additional types of childhood cancers in the future.
NMTRC Hospitals now enrolling patients
NMTRC is now enrolling patients in the first stages of this personalized medicine trial. Participating medical centers include:
- The Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Grand Rapids, Mich.
- Levine Children’s Hospital, Charlotte, N.C.
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Orlando, Fla.
- National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Md.
- SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, St. Louis, Mo.
- Children’s Mercy Hospital and Clinics, Kansas City, Mo.
- Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford, Conn.
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore.
- Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, Calif.
- The Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, S.C.
1. Compared with TGen’s existing Clinical Cluster
Quotes
“Even at this earliest moment in genomics-guided therapy, there is universal recognition that the amount and complexity of data is overwhelming. Dell's commitment to helping children with cancer, coupled with its expertise in developing cloud-based solutions for health information, will provide great benefit in terms of helping us manage the massively complex data generated by this clinical trial. This will help physicians and scientists share information rapidly, and is designed to help us arrive at the optimal treatment decision for each child battling cancer.”
Jeffrey M. Trent, Ph.D., president and research director of TGen and VARI
Giselle Sholler, M.D., NMTRC chair and co-director of VARI’s Pediatric Cancer Translational Research Program
“For far too long, children with pediatric cancer have relied on the hand-me-down adult cancer treatments which are brutally harsh and, in many cases, more punitive than curative for children. We’ve given them to kids because something is better than nothing. And now, thanks to innovative doctors and Dell’s incredible support, kids will finally get a chance at treatment designed to improve their lives and survival. They don’t have to settle for brutal and ineffective therapy as status quo any longer and they have a chance to trail blaze the way to more effective and less toxic therapy for everyone with cancer.”
Patrick Lacey, cofounder and president of Friends of Will Cancer Foundation
"I applaud Dell's commitment toward filling a great void in the development of specialized treatments for childhood cancers. Childhood cancer is the leading disease killer of American children. Because of the orphan nature of these diseases and the high cost of drug development for them, it’s been difficult for the pharmaceutical industry to develop treatments. This is the kind of private endeavor that is needed to save and improve the lives of so many children."
Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas), founder and co-chair of the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus
Recently introduced legislation to incentivize the pharmaceutical industry to develop such treatments
“It’s time to do more for the children and families battling pediatric cancer. And pediatric cancer is an area where Dell can address an unmet medical need and our people and technology can make an immediate and lasting difference. We hope TGen’s new cloud will help pediatric oncologists develop new ways to eliminate the trial and error in the treatment for pediatric cancer patients for whom every day matters.”
Paul Bell, president of Dell Public and Large Enterprise and chairman of Dell’s Strategic Giving Council
 | Neuroblastoma — View the fact sheet Personalized medicine is offering new hope to neuroblastoma patients. The Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium is conducting a first-of-its-kind genomic-based clinical trial to treat and study pediatric cancer — specifically relapsed and refractory neuroblastoma. |
 | Genomics and Molecular Medicine — View the fact sheet The increased understanding of molecular medicine is shifting clinical practice from treatment based on symptoms to treatment based on the underlying causes of disease. This will enable physicians to prescribe treatment plans that are designed more intelligently, work more effectively and have fewer toxic side effects. |
 | Cloud Computing — View the fact sheet The cloud is the embodiment of a future-ready infrastructure that makes it possible to create a true healthcare 'system.' This ideal system — in which information is secure but accessible to those who need it — streamlines administration, enhances care quality and supports personalized medicine. |
See how the Cloud is working to power advancement in fighting pediatric cancer.
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About the Participating Organizations
| Dell |
| Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services that give them the power to do more. Dell’s Powering the Possible program is funded by the company’s pledge to contribute 1 percent of its pre-tax profits to learning, pediatric cancer, innovative social entrepreneurship and disaster relief initiatives that address unmet needs globally and enable human potential. Information about Dell Powering the Possible is available at www.dell.com/pediatriccancer As the leading provider of healthcare IT services in the world, Dell helps healthcare organizations harness the power of information to simplify administration; coordinate and manage patient care; transition from episodic care to prevention and wellness management; and ultimately to deliver personalized medicine. |
| The Translational Genomics Research Institute |
| The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based nonprofit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research for life changing results. Research at TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of translational research where investigators are able to unravel the genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. TGen is affiliated with the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Mich. www.tgen.org |
| The Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium |
| Founded in 2008, the NMTRC is a nationwide network of childhood cancer trials based at the Van Andel Research Institute and chaired by Giselle Sholler, M.D. The consortium includes the following clinical partners: Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center; Saint Louis University School of Medicine; Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders; Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children; MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando; Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics; Connecticut Children’s Medical Center; Doernbecher Children’s Hospital; Oregon Health & Science University;, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital; Levine Children’s Hospital; Medical University of South Carolina; National Cancer Institute; Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego; and UCSD School of Medicine and the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. www.nmtrc.org |
| Want to get involved? Learn more about the Friends of Will Foundation. |
About the Presenters
| Trisa Thompson Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, Dell |
.jpg) Trisa Thompson is vice president of corporate responsibility at Dell, with responsibility for Dell’s global giving and sustainability. Previously at Dell, Thompson served as vice president, legal, for the Global Operations, Marketing and Product Groups, and was a member of the legal team for 12 years. She joined Dell in June 1998 from the Washington, D.C., office of Seyfarth, Shaw, where she was a partner in the government procurement law practice specializing in federal, state, and local procurement law and litigation. Thompson graduated with honors from The National Law Center, George Washington University in 1986. She received her undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Boston University in 1983, where she majored in mass communications. |
| Karen Quintos Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Dell |
 Karen Quintos is senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Dell, where she is responsible for bringing the company’s brand to life for Dell customers, team members and stakeholders around the world. Before becoming CMO for Dell in September 2010, Quintos served as vice president of Dell’s global public business. Previously, she was vice president of marketing for Dell’s North American commercial business and has also held various executive roles in Dell’s services, contact center and supply chain management teams. She joined Dell in 2000 from Citigroup, where she served as vice president of global operations and technology. She also spent 12 years with Merck & Co. Quintos holds a master’s degree in marketing and international business from New York University and a bachelor of science in supply chain management from The Pennsylvania State University State College. |
| Giselle Sholler, M.D. Chair, NMTRC, and Co-director, Pediatric Oncology Research Program, Van Andel Research Institute |
 Giselle Sholler received her medical degree from New York Medical College, in Valhalla, NY. She was a resident in pediatrics and, subsequently, a fellow in pediatric hematology/oncology at Brown University, before joining the University of Vermont in 2005, where her research focused on new therapies for neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma. Earlier this year, Sholler was named co-director of the Pediatric Oncology Research Program at Van Andel Research Institute and head of the Laboratory of Neuroblastoma Translational Research, along with Craig Webb, Ph.D., director of VARI’s Program of Translational Medicine. She also holds joint clinical and academic appointments from Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. |
| Jeffrey Trent, Ph.D., FACMG President and Research Director, Van Andel Research Institute; President and Research Director, The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) |
 Jeffrey Trent joined Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Mich., in February 2009 as president and research director. He is also the founding president and research director of The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) in Phoenix, AZ, a position he has held since 2002. Trent has held numerous faculty appointments at the University of Arizona, the University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins University and Arizona State University. He is a diplomat of the American College of Medical Genetics, and is a member of the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, the American Association for Cancer Research, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Society of Human Genetics and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Trent previously served as director of the Division of Intramural Research of the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health. Under his guidance from 1993 to 2002, the division became an internationally recognized research center in the field of human genetics. |
| Lee J. Helman, M.D. Scientific Director for Clinical Research, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health |
 Lee J. Helman received his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1980 magna cum laude, and was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha. He completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Barnes Hospital Washington University, serving as chief resident, Washington University VA Medical Service in 1983. He began his fellowship training at the National Cancer Institute in 1983, where he has remained. He became the head of the Molecular Oncology Section of the Pediatric Oncology Branch at NCI in 1993, and chief of the Pediatric Oncology Branch at NCI in 1997. He was also named a deputy director of the Center for Cancer Research at NCI in 2001. He served as acting scientific director for clinical research of NCI’s Center for Cancer Research in 2005, and was named as the permanent scientific director in 2007. Helman’s current research focuses on the biology and treatment of pediatric sarcomas, particularly rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma and osteosarcoma. |
| James Coffin, Ph.D. Vice President and General Manager, Dell Healthcare and Life Sciences |
 As vice president and general manager of Dell Healthcare and Life Sciences, James Coffin leads teams in developing the latest innovative information technology solutions and services for healthcare, building the partner ecosystem, and driving Dell’s thought leadership in healthcare. Prior to joining Dell, Coffin spent more than 12 years at IBM, where he held a variety of leadership positions. Prior to joining IBM, he was considered a leader in the application of computational chemistry techniques and high-performance computing to real-world chemical and biological problems. Coffin holds a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Arkansas and a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana Tech. He studied at Cambridge University as a Cambridge Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellow and was a member of the scientific staff of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois. He lectures worldwide on innovation in the field of electronic medical records, personalized medicine, high-performance computing and leading edge in silico techniques to accelerate drug discovery. |
| Patrick Lacey Cofounder and president, Friends of Will Cancer Foundation |
 Patrick Lacey is director of business development for a leading information company. He lives outside of Boston with his wife and three children. Lacey is cofounder and president of Friends of Will Cancer Foundation, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit childhood cancer foundation, as well as cofounder and vice president of the Vermont-based nonprofit Neuroblastoma Alliance. The focus of both groups is to raise funds to help support the translational research and clinical trials of The Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium, a national childhood cancer consortium. |
| Cathie Hargett Dell office +1 512.728.7347 mobile +1 512.750.0996 cathie_hargett@dell.com | Amanda Engler Dell office +1 512.723.7381 mobile +1 512.584.0667 amanda_engler@dell.com | Kelly Gorychka AxiCom for Dell office +1 512.691.0383 kelly.gorychka@axicom.com |
| Galen Perry TGen office +1 602.377.4734 | Steve Yozwiak TGen office +1 602.343.8704 syozwiak@tgen.org |
| Do you know a child with neuroblastoma? Dell is proud to support the world's first personalized medicine trial for pediatric cancer conducted by the Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium (NMTRC) at VARI and supported by the Translational Genomics Research Institute. NMTRC is a group of 11 universities and children's hospitals offering a nationwide network of childhood cancer clinical trials. To learn more about enrolling a child in this or other NMTRC clinical trials, please visit NMTRC's Web site or contact Genevieve Bergendahl at +1 616-234-5707 or a site trial administrator at one of the consortium's participating medical centers. |
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