KU will get cancer center designation, Roberts says

UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS | Senator Roberts posts advance notice

NCI designation as a top-tier research site will open doors to funds for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

The University of Kansas Cancer Center will receive its valued designation from the National Cancer Institute as a top-tier research institution.

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts posted the news on his Facebook page Thursday night, and the chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents confirmed it.

Cancer Center Director Roy Jensen said Thursday that a celebration would be premature before the university receives its official notice of grant award.

But Roberts, who as a senator gets the courtesy of advance notice from the federal agency, said KU "has been given a green light and I look forward to a formal announcement…."

Ed McKechnie, chairman of the board of regents, said details of the designation were not yet clear.

"That will all come at the right time," McKechnie said. "It is my understanding we'll be having an announcement in July."

The Board of Regents is the governing body for state universities and community colleges.

The University of Kansas Medical Center has aimed for an NCI designation since 2002. That opens the door to millions of dollars in federal grants as well as private funds for advanced research in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The economic effect could be in the billions of dollars.

KU applied for the designation in September, after raising and investing about $350 million in the effort by attracting top researchers, developing partnerships and expanding its reach to patients in clinical trials. The university said the effort had created 1,123 jobs and contributed $453 million to the regional economy.

Designation would put KU among well-known cancer research and treatment centers such as M.D. Anderson and Memorial Sloan-Kettering.

Designation as an NCI cancer center also would be a great leap forward in the region's effort to become a hub for life sciences and business.

When KU submitted its application last fall, the National Cancer Institute had 66 designated cancer centers at medical institutions across the country.

To reach Matt Campbell call 816-234-4902 or send email to mcampbell@kcstar.com.