Research grants have been awarded for 31 projects to find cures for cancer and tobacco-related diseases that affect Florida’s families, the Florida Department of Health announced Monday. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Florida, claiming 41,696 Florida lives in 2012.
“This peer reviewed program is directing research dollars to projects that will help Florida’s families with innovative and life-saving treatments,” said Secretary of Health and State Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong. “The recipients of these new grant awards are addressing many of the biggest challenges we face in finding cures for cancer and tobacco-related diseases.”
The awards are designed to advance the cure of all cancers and funding was given to researchers with diverse projects. Funding is provided through the Bankhead-Coley Cancer Research Program and the James and Esther King Research Program that funds research for tobacco-related diseases, including cancer. Grants were awarded based on rigorous peer review and the competition resulted in 11 percent of applicants being funded, which is consistent with the standards used by federal funding agencies and demonstrates that these grant programs have rigorous standards for scientific peer review.
The funding supports a wide range of projects specifically related to cancer, including four basic science grants, a project involving new drug development and a community health project focused on health disparities. The research covers the most common types of cancers such as breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers and also includes research on melanoma, mesothelioma and gliomas.
The studies directly impact the lives of Floridians. For example, one project studies the role of smoking mentholated cigarettes on osteoporosis, and provides health screenings and education on ways to improve bone health. There are two studies that include education on smoking cessation.
One study will attempt to translate a new type of therapy into clinical practice that may eventually improve stroke treatment. Another will explore how prenatal and neonatal exposure to tobacco may result in a lifelong predisposition to heart disease. And another involves a community-based education program to improve adherence with cholesterol lowering medications in Hispanics and African-Americans in Florida.
Funding supports researchers at the state’s cancer centers, universities and research institutes. The following organizations received awards:
- Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Hospital- one researcher
- Florida International University- one researcher
- Florida State University- two researchers
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center – eight researchers
- Mayo Clinic Jacksonville – two researchers
- Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute- one researcher
- University of Central Florida- three researchers
- University of Florida – six researchers
- University of Miami- seven researchers
- University of South Florida- two researchers
