The final chapter before the conference

The week before Christmas the three boys embarked on their journey into the mists  of life. It is their final journey of the year. This time, Pete, Erik and Jan go for the final haul. December 1 was the dead line for the organizing committee of the Understanding Life conference. Arnold Levine, Bob Weinberg, and Charles Sawyers had accepted their posts as members of the science steering committee of the Understanding Life program. Arnold, known to everyone as Arnie, had accepted his role as chairman.

Finally we succeeded to arrange a meeting with Josep Baselga. He is now at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He moved from Barcelona, Vall d’Hebron to Boston last September. It took us a while to make a meeting arrangement at a mutually convenient time.

Energy

The three meetings with Charles, Bob and Arnie were marvelous. The energy we sought was found. Their objective was clear. They wanted to join us in our effort to raise money for better cancer biological research, better clinical practice and setting up a framework for cooperation of cancer research institutes all over Europe, and beyond.

Charles was prepared to lead the pack. He wants to give one of the lead presentations, and to lead the sessions in which the goals of the four legs of the program are presented. The legs are represented by Rene Bernards, Josep Baselga, and Stephen Friend. Bob Weinberg, who will also do the introductory speech, will present an outline of future barriers.

The Energy in these men is beautiful. Arnie will not only present some of his most recent research with his team of systems biologists, he will also contribute to the captains dinner and take care of the press meeting.

Lost in translation

We meet Josep in Boston for the first time. Josep was reluctant at first, but then quickly changed his mind. The idea of a program that would closely align systems biology with translational medicine enticed him. He sees grand opportunities and wants to join us. Many researchers and clinicians are lost in translation. We could do much better. If only we act on what we know and design the appropriate clinical trials. Not the ones with 8000 or more patients, but with 400 to 500 patients, and sometimes less.

He is in. Some meetings in January have to be rescheduled, but that will work out. His assistant Linda makes notes and she will make sure that the maestro will be there.

Starting from zero

So far we generated 20 mln Euro. Next year we expect to generate 15 to 20 mln Euro in just one year, doubling our income so far. This money is brought together through our Alpe d’HuZes initiative.  The Americans and now Baselga, join us in our bold initiative. The Fund for International Cooperation is not yet ready. And this turns us and them on. There is so much energy, that each and everyone of us feels the need for new grass roots initiatives. America and Europe want to lead the pack. This is their and our chance to do better. Not better than we can but as good as we do. And we are still not at it.

Controlling cancer is our aim. Research is necessary, but not sufficient. A mind shift will be necessary. Of clinicians, researchers and patients.

It is again the Grand Old Man Bob Weinberg who makes the point with some force. You Erik believe that we can control cancer in 10 years. That is your message. I will have mine. Wait and see.

And we already have the gut feeling that Bob will surprise us in January!

 

This is the final chapter in a series of 9 summaries of our trips to researchers and clinicians in Europe and the United States. Next year we continue the series with the Three Boys Blog. At www.inspire2live.nl.