Columbus-based Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute has launched a program dedicated to patients with early-onset and young adult cancers.
The BRIDGE Program — which stands for Building Research Innovation and Care Delivery for Groups with Early Onset Cancers — aims to serve patients ages 18-50 by aligning clinical services such as fertility counseling and genomic testing early in the care process, according to a Dec. 15 news release from the cancer center.
The program is expected to receive a $20 million investment over five years to support new clinical services, staffing and research. That includes a competitive intramural grant program, funded by nonprofit organization Pelotonia, to support cross-disease research in tumor biology, genetics and outcomes for early-onset cancers.
W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, who was appointed CEO of OSUCCC-James in April, is leading the initiative as part of her administration. Dr. Rathmell previously led similar efforts at the National Cancer Institute and has called early-onset cancer a growing clinical and scientific priority.
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