called Genomic Health, to optimize care delivery to his patients. It’s a noninvasive assessment of the tumor, a 21-gene test that provides information on whether or not to treat the woman with newly diagnosed breast cancer with tamoxifen or chemotherapy. “There’s also a 70-gene assay called MammaPrint (developed by Amsterdambased Agendia), a molecular diagnostic test used to assess the risk that a breast tumor will spread to other parts of the body,” Sauter said. “I call it genomic
personalization for breast cancer therapy. Basically it helps us determine whether a patient should get chemotherapy.” There’s a similar test for colon cancer, and others are on the way. “These are examples of genetic medicine that are already in the clinic. This wave of personalized care is just getting started,” Sauter said. “It takes big teams of people to do this: researchers, bioinformaticians, physicians, and willing participants. They are all critical.”
editor’s note: To fully grasp the extent of the School’s use of high technology, we have had to extend the boundaries of the magazine. Please continue reading the full story online at www.ndmedicine.org, where the following talented individuals share how their innovative use of technology keeps the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the forefront of research and teaching. James Haselton, PhD, Assistant Professor Physiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics Director, Graduate Studies
Kenneth Ruit, PhD, Associate Professor and Vice Chair Anatomy and Cell Biology Director of Graduate Education
Jane Dunlevy, PhD, Associate Professor Anatomy and Cell Biology
Jon Jackson, PhD, Assistant Professor Anatomy and Cell Biology
Jon Allen, MD, Assistant Dean, Northeast Campus Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Director, Simulation Center
Mario Borboa, BSN, BS Computer Information Systems Information Systems Specialist and Technician Information Resources Nasser Hammami, MS, Assistant Professor, CIO UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Jonathan Geiger, PhD, Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor and Chair Pharmacology, Physiology, and Therapeutics Keith Henry, Assistant Professor Pharmacology, Physiology, and Therapeutics
(From left) Cheryl stauffenecker, director Jon allen, Tim shea, and Jamie Hamilton at the sMHs simulation Center NORTH DAKOTA MEDICINE Fall 2010
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