Ludwig Cancer Research

Daniel K. Ludwig was a shipping magnate and real estate investor. Born in South Haven, Michigan in 1897, he used a $5,000 loan from his father to create a global business based on a fleet of supertankers.{{cite news|last1=Pace|first1=Eric|title=Daniel Ludwig, Billionaire Businessman, Dies at 95|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/29/us/daniel-ludwig-billionaire-businessman-dies-at-95.html|accessdate=4 August 2015|agency=New York Times|date=29 August 1002|archive-date=13 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713192432/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/29/us/daniel-ludwig-billionaire-businessman-dies-at-95.html|url-status=live}} In the 1960s and 1970s, Ludwig was among the richest men in the world, owning approximately 200 companies.{{Cite news|last=Valdmanis|first=Richard|date=2014-01-06|title=Billionaire Ludwig's estate donates $540 million for U.S. cancer research|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-cancer-ludwig-idUSBREA0504Y20140106|access-date=2021-06-15|archive-date=2021-07-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717203859/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-cancer-ludwig-idUSBREA0504Y20140106|url-status=live}}

He founded the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research as an independent organization in 1971, the same year that the “War on Cancer,” declared by his friend President Richard Nixon, led to the establishment of the US National Cancer Institute.{{cite news|last1=Marshall|first1=Eliot|title=A Billionaire's Final Gift to Six US Cancer Centers|url=http://news.sciencemag.org/funding/2014/01/billionaires-final-gift-six-u.s.-cancer-centers|accessdate=4 August 2015|agency=Science|date=6 January 2014|archive-date=9 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109085857/http://news.sciencemag.org/funding/2014/01/billionaires-final-gift-six-u.s.-cancer-centers|url-status=live}} Ludwig believed that tackling the problem of cancer required the best minds operating in the most favorable conditions with the best resources to accomplish the task. This principle continues to guide Ludwig Cancer Research.{{cite news|last1=Lane|first1=Sir David|title=Trusting in Talent: How Daniel K. Ludwig's formula for success has fuelled four decades -- and counting -- of top-notch cancer research|url=http://issuu.com/oncologynews/docs/010714/18|accessdate=4 August 2015|agency=Oncology News|date=August 2014|archive-date=24 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324171821/https://issuu.com/oncologynews/docs/010714/18|url-status=live}}

Daniel K. Ludwig endowed the Institute with all of the foreign assets from his business holdings. Upon his death in 1992, that endowment had grown to more than $700 million, and, as of 2012, it stands at more than $1.2 billion.

After Ludwig's death, his US-based assets were also put into a trust to support additional cancer research efforts. These funds led to the establishment of Ludwig Centers at six research institutions in 2006.{{cite news|last=Notter|first=John|title=Scientific Leaps Require Donors to Give Bigger|url=https://philanthropy.com/article/Scientific-Leaps-Require/153289|accessdate=4 August 2015|agency=Chronicle of Philanthropy|date=10 April 2014}} The Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Ludwig Centers have been known collectively as Ludwig Cancer Research since 2012.{{cite web|title=New Paths of Discovery: 2012 Research Highlights|url=http://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/sites/default/files/media/news-pdf/Ludwig_Annual_2012.pdf|website=Ludwig Cancer Research|accessdate=4 August 2015|archive-date=28 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028164731/http://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/sites/default/files/media/news-pdf/Ludwig_Annual_2012.pdf|url-status=dead}} In total, Ludwig Cancer Research has committed more than US$2.5 billion to cancer research worldwide since 1971.{{cite news|last1=Lane|first1=Sir David|title=Fighting Cancer With Smart Funding|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sir-david-lane-phd/fighting-cancer-with-smart-funding_b_5025002.html|accessdate=4 August 2015|agency=Huffington Post|date=24 March 2014|archive-date=25 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925010349/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sir-david-lane-phd/fighting-cancer-with-smart-funding_b_5025002.html|url-status=live}}

The primary objectives of Ludwig Cancer Research are to prevent and control cancer through basic and translational research.

Lloyd J. Old, the organization's former director, and scientific chairman, participated in the discovery of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF){{cite journal|last1=Old|first1=Lloyd J.|title=Purification and characterization of a human tumor necrosis factor from the LuKII cell line|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|date=October 1985|volume=82|issue=19|pages=6637–6641|doi=10.1073/pnas.82.19.6637 |pmid=3863119|display-authors=etal|pmc=391265|doi-access=free}} and the tumor suppressor p53.{{cite journal|last1=Old|first1=Lloyd J.|title=Detection of a transformation-related antigen in chemically induced sarcomas and other transformed cells of the mouse|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|date=May 1979|volume=76|issue=5|pages=2420–2424|doi=10.1073/pnas.76.5.2420 |pmid=221923|display-authors=etal|pmc=383613|doi-access=free}} He contributed to the immunosurveillance hypothesis, from which modern cancer immunotherapy can be derived.

Thierry Boon, former director of the organization's Brussels branch, made foundational contributions to the field of cancer immunotherapy. The prevailing model of carcinogenesis in the late 1970s held that spontaneously arising tumors were unlikely to elicit immune responses. Boon and his team, who believed otherwise, were the first to isolate genes that code for a family of tumor antigens and show that T cells could recognize and target cancer cells bearing such antigens.{{cite journal|last1=Coulie|first1=Pierre G.|title=Tumour antigens recognized by T lymphocytes: at the core of cancer immunotherapy|journal=Nature Reviews Cancer|date=24 January 2014|volume=14|issue=2|pages=135–146|doi=10.1038/nrc3670|display-authors=etal|pmid=24457417|s2cid=205469848}} This theory is being tested in a number of current clinical trials.{{cite web|title=Search results for "MAGE"|url=https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=MAGE&Search=Search|website=ClinicalTrials.gov|accessdate=12 August 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074007/https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=MAGE&Search=Search|url-status=live}}

Ludwig researchers in Melbourne discovered and cloned{{cite journal|last1=Gough|first1=N.M.|title=Structure and expression of the mRNA for murine granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor.|journal=The EMBO Journal|date=March 1985|volume=4|issue=3|pages=645–653|display-authors=etal|pmc=554237|pmid=3874057|doi=10.1002/j.1460-2075.1985.tb03678.x}} the granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) through a collaboration with Australian immunologist Donald Metcalf. The factor is essential to the maturation of key white blood cells, and has been used extensively over the past few decades to help rebuild the immune system of patients undergoing chemotherapy. It is also being tested as a therapeutic agent in combination with several experimental immunotherapies for cancer. The Oncology Drug Advisory Committee of the US FDA recently recommended approval for T-VEC, a viral therapy for melanoma manufactured by Amgen that incorporates the gene for GM-CSF to support anti-cancer immune responses.{{cite news|last1=Davenport|first1=Liam|title=Injectable T-VEC Offers Hope to Melanoma Patients|url=http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/845504|accessdate=12 August 2015|agency=Medscape|date=28 May 2015|archive-date=23 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423035121/http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/845504|url-status=live}}

Ludwig researchers in São Paulo played a role in establishing that human papillomavirus (HPV) infection causes cervical cancer. They ran the largest epidemiological studies of HPV infection and reported that chronic, though not transient, infection by the virus dramatically increases the risk of cervical cancer, laying the groundwork for the clinical development of an HPV vaccine.{{cite journal|last1=Villa|first1=L.L.|title=Overview of the clinical development and results of a quadrivalent HPV (types 6, 11, 16, 18) vaccine.|journal=International Journal of Infectious Diseases|date=November 2007|pages=S17–25|doi=10.1016/S1201-9712(07)60017-4|pmid=18162241|volume=11|issue=Suppl 2 |doi-access=free}}

Current and former Ludwig researchers contributed to an emerging class of cancer immunotherapies known as checkpoint inhibitors. They explored the underlying immunology of the response and played a role in evaluating the first such drug in clinical trials for the treatment of advanced melanoma.{{cite journal|last1=Hodi|first1=F. Stephen|title=Improved Survival with Ipilimumab in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma|journal=The New England Journal of Medicine|date=19 August 2010|volume=363|issue=8|pages=711–723|doi=10.1056/NEJMoa1003466|display-authors=etal|pmid=20525992|pmc=3549297}} This led the development of new criteria for evaluating responses of cancer patients to immunotherapy in clinical trials.{{cite journal|last1=Wolchok|first1=J.D.|title=Guidelines for the evaluation of immune therapy activity in solid tumors: immune-related response criteria.|journal=Clinical Cancer Research|date=1 December 2009|volume=15|issue=23|pages=7412–7420|doi=10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-09-1624|pmid=19934295|display-authors=etal|doi-access=free}}

Identification of signaling pathways and subsequent development of therapeutics are examples of contributions to the field of cell signaling. The PI3K family of proteins, for example, play an important role in cell signaling that feeds cancer.{{cite journal |last1=Katso |first1=R. |display-authors=etal |date=2001 |title=Cellular function of phosphoinositide 3-kinases: implications for development, homeostasis, and cancer. |journal=Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology |volume=17 |pages=615–675 |doi=10.1146/annurev.cellbio.17.1.615 |pmid=11687500}} This research resulted in the first Ludwig spin-off, Piramed Ltd., a biotech that sought to create cancer medicines based on this discovery. The pharmaceutical company Roche purchased the company. Drugs based on these discoveries are now being evaluated for the treatment of many cancers, including breast and lung cancer.

Contributions in the field of genomics include the work of Ludwig researchers at Johns Hopkins to sequence the full complement of genes expressed in many cancers, including head and neck, colon, and breast cancers, as well as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Ludwig researchers in San Diego significantly advanced studies of the epigenome, leading such efforts as the NIH's Roadmap Epigenomics Project.{{cite journal|last1=Vogelstein|first1=Bert|title=Cancer Genome Landscapes|journal=Science|date=29 March 2013|volume=339|issue=6127|pages=1546–1558|doi=10.1126/science.1235122|display-authors=etal|pmid=23539594|pmc=3749880}}

The Ludwig Cancer Research board of directors helps oversee both the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and the Ludwig Fund. Although each of these entities has its own board, the boards comprise the same individuals.{{cite web|title=Leadership|url=http://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/our-people/leadership|website=Ludwig Cancer Research|accessdate=8 August 2015|archive-date=4 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804184650/http://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/our-people/leadership|url-status=live}} The current chairman of the board is Edward McDermott, Jr., former President and CEO of LICR.

The executive staff manages the organization's worldwide efforts.

It was announced in December 2016 that Chi Van Dang would take over the role of Scientific Director in July 2017.{{cite web|title=Press Release|url=http://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/news/chi-van-dang-appointed-scientific-director-ludwig-institute-cancer-research|accessdate=5 February 2017|archive-date=6 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206022227/http://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/news/chi-van-dang-appointed-scientific-director-ludwig-institute-cancer-research|url-status=live}} He is responsible for coordinating the organization's global research efforts and activities.

Notable awards received by past and present employees affiliated with Ludwig include:

Nobel Prize:

• Peter Ratcliffe{{cite web |date= |title=Peter Ratcliffe Nobel Prize facts |url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2019/ratcliffe/facts/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |accessdate=18 April 2024 |website=www.nobelprize.org}} The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2019

National Medal of Science (US):

• Lucy Shapiro,{{cite web |title=Lucy Shapiro Lab |url=https://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/scientist/lucy-shaprio/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |accessdate=16 April 2024 |website=Ludwig Cancer Research}} 2011 Medal for Biological Sciences{{cite web|title=The President's National Medal of Science: Recipient Details|url=https://www.nsf.gov/od/nms/recip_details.jsp?recip_id=5300000000482|website=National Science Foundation|accessdate=15 August 2015|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305131103/http://www.nsf.gov/od/nms/recip_details.jsp?recip_id=5300000000482|url-status=live}}
• Robert Weinberg,{{cite web |title=M.I.T. Center |url=https://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/location/boston-mit/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |accessdate=16 April 2024 |website=Ludwig Cancer Research}} 1997 Medal for Biological Sciences{{cite web|title=The President's National Medal of Science: Recipient Details|url=https://www.nsf.gov/od/nms/recip_details.jsp?recip_id=379|website=National Science Foundation|accessdate=15 August 2015|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305133327/http://www.nsf.gov/od/nms/recip_details.jsp?recip_id=379|url-status=live}}

Fellows of the National Academy of Sciences (US):{{cite web|title=Member Directory|url=http://www.nasonline.org/member-directory/|website=National Academy of Sciences|accessdate=15 August 2015|archive-date=26 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326120054/http://www.nasonline.org/member-directory/|url-status=live}}

• Webster K. Cavenee{{cite web |title=Web Cavenee Lab |url=http://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/location/san-diego-branch/web-cavenee-lab |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806202253/http://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/location/san-diego-branch/web-cavenee-lab |archive-date=6 August 2015 |accessdate=15 August 2015 |website=Ludwig Cancer Research}}
• Don W. Cleveland{{cite web |title=Don Cleveland Lab |url=http://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/location/san-diego-branch/don-cleveland-lab |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212203926/https://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/location/san-diego-branch/don-cleveland-lab |archive-date=12 December 2018 |accessdate=15 August 2015 |website=Ludwig Cancer Research}}
• Richard Kolodner{{cite web |title=Richard Kolodner Lab |url=http://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/location/san-diego-branch/richard-kolodner-lab |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007023432/http://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/location/san-diego-branch/richard-kolodner-lab |archive-date=7 October 2015 |accessdate=15 August 2015 |website=Ludwig Cancer Research}}
• Thierry Boon
• Alexander Y. Rudensky{{cite web |title=MSK Center |url=https://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/location/new-york/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |accessdate=16 April 2024 |website=Ludwig Cancer Research}}
• Irving L. Weissman{{cite web |title=Stanford Center |url=https://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/location/palo-alto/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |accessdate=16 April 2024 |website=Ludwig Cancer Research}}
• Bert Vogelstein{{cite web |title=Johns Hopkins Center |url=https://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/location/baltimore/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |accessdate=16 April 2024 |website=Ludwig Cancer Research}}
• Robert A. Weinberg
• Joan S. Brugge{{cite web |title=Harvard Center |url=https://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/location/boston-harvard/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |accessdate=16 April 2024 |website=Ludwig Cancer Research}}
• Lucy Shapiro

Academy of Medical Sciences (UK):{{cite web|title=Fellows Directory|url=http://www.acmedsci.ac.uk/fellows/fellows-directory/|website=The Academy of Medical Sciences|accessdate=15 August 2015|archive-date=10 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810000607/http://www.acmedsci.ac.uk/fellows/fellows-directory/|url-status=live}}

• Xin Lu{{cite web |title=Xin Lu Lab |url=https://www.ludwig.ox.ac.uk/research/xin-lu-group-page |archive-url= |archive-date= |accessdate=16 April 2024 |website=Ludwig Cancer Research Oxford}}
• Peter J. Ratcliffe{{cite web |date= |title=Peter Ratcliffe Lab |url=https://www.ludwig.ox.ac.uk/research/prof-sir-peter-ratcliffe-oxygen-sensing |archive-url= |archive-date= |accessdate=16 April 2024 |website=Ludwig Cancer Research Oxford}}

Branches and laboratories{{cite web |title=Locations |url=https://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/science/#locations |archive-url= |archive-date= |accessdate=16 April 2024 |website=Ludwig Cancer Research}}

• {{flagicon|BEL}} Brussels laboratory at the de Duve Institute of the UCLouvain Brussels Woluwe, University of Louvain
• {{flagicon|SUI}} Lausanne branch at the University of Lausanne
• {{flagicon|USA}} New York collaborative laboratory at the Weill Cornell Medicine
• {{flagicon|GBR}} Oxford branch at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine of the University of Oxford
• {{flagicon|USA}} Princeton branch at Princeton University

Ludwig Centers

• Baltimore: Ludwig Center at the Johns Hopkins University
• Boston: Ludwig Center at Harvard University Medical School
• Boston: Ludwig Center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Chicago: Ludwig Center at the University of Chicago
• New York City: Ludwig Center at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Palo Alto: Ludwig Center at Stanford University

{{reflist}}

• {{official website|http://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org}}

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Category:Cancer organizations based in the United States

Category:Medical research institutes in New York (state)

Category:International research institutes