Brian Druker

Last updated
Brian J. Druker, M.D.
Druker Brian.jpg
Born (1955-04-30) April 30, 1955 (age 69)
St. Paul, Minnesota
NationalityAmerican
Alma mater University of California, San Diego, Washington University School of Medicine
Known for Gleevec
Awards Novartis-Drew Award (2002)
Robert Koch Prize (2005)
Keio Medical Science Prize (2007)
Meyenburg Award (2009)
Lasker Clinical Award (2009)
Japan Prize (2012)
Dickson Prize (2012)
Albany Medical Center Prize (2013)
Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences (2013-14)
Tang Prize (2018)
The Sjöberg Prize (2019)
Scientific career
FieldsOncology
Institutions Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Oregon Health & Science University

Brian J. Druker, M.D. (born April 30, 1955) [1] is a physician-scientist and JELD-WEN Chair of Leukemia Research at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland, Oregon. He previously served as chief executive officer and director of OHSU's Knight Cancer Institute, [2] [3] [4] as well as Associate Dean for Oncology in the OHSU School of Medicine. [5]

Contents

Druker helped develop imatinib (Gleevec), the first medication that specifically targets cancer cells, for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). [6] [7] [8] In 2001, Gleevec gained FDA approval in record time [9] and landed on the cover of Time magazine. [10] Druker’s work launched the era of precision cancer medicine, setting the stage for future discoveries in the quest to end cancer. [11]

He is the recipient of the 2009 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award, [12] the 2012 Japan Prize in Healthcare and Medical Technology, [13] the 2013 Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research, [14] and the 2019 Sjöberg Prize, [15] among others. He has been called "Oregon's best-known scientist". [16]

Education

Druker earned both his B.A. degree in chemistry and M.D. degree from the University of California, San Diego. [17] He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Barnes Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis from 1981 to 1984. [18]

Research and Leadership

Druker was a fellow in medical oncology at Dana–Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard Medical School from 1984 to 1987. He began working at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in 1993. [19]

Druker's research is focused on translating the knowledge of the molecular pathogenesis of cancer into specific therapies and investigating the optimal use of these molecularly targeted agents. He performed preclinical studies that led to the development of imatinib (Gleevec) for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and then spearheaded the highly successful clinical trials of imatinib, which led to FDA approval of the drug in record time. [6] [8] [7] This work changed the life expectancy of patients with CML from an average of 3 to 5 years to a 89% five-year survival, [20] [21] and has resulted in a paradigm-shift in cancer treatment from non-specific chemotherapy to highly targeted therapeutic agents. [22] Druker has been widely recognized for his work in developing Gleevec, but has been publicly critical of the drug's high price for patients. [23] [24]

Druker also helped lead a national clinical trial to find effective treatments for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The Beat AML clinical trial, sponsored by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), is a joint effort by medical centers, drug makers and the Food and Drug Administration. [25]

In May 2007, he became director of the OHSU Cancer Institute—renamed the Knight Cancer Institute in October 2008 following a $100 million donation from Nike co-founder Phil Knight. [26]

In 2015, Druker celebrated the completion of the Knight Cancer Challenge, raising $1 billion for research at the Knight Cancer Institute. [27] The Oregon Legislature and more than 10,000 donors from Oregon and beyond matched a $500 million grant from Phil and Penny Knight. [3] The challenge gave the institute the funding to launch the Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center. [3]

In March 2024, he transitioned to the role of chief executive officer of the Knight Cancer Institute. [28] Druker abruptly resigned in December 2024 while "looking for opportunities where (he) can continue to make an impact on patient’s lives and on the world." [29] He continues to lead his research lab and see patients, but has expressed strong criticism of OHSU, stating that the institution has "lost sight of what is crucial and forgotten (its) mission." [30] [31]

Memberships and Awards

Druker was an investigator of Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) from 2002 to 2019. [19] He was elected to the National Academy of Medicine (formerly Institute of Medicine) in 2003 and the National Academy of Sciences in 2007. He is a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, Association of American Physicians, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Society of Hematology, American Society for Microbiology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Association for Cancer Research, Children’s Oncology Group, and The American Society for Cell Biology. Druker has received the following awards, among others: [32]

Personal

Druker is married to Alexandra Hardy, a one-time reporter for People magazine, and the couple have three children (as of 2009). [9] An earlier marriage, to Barbara Rodriguez in 1990, ended in divorce in 1999. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leukemia</span> Blood cancers forming in the bone marrow

Leukemia is a group of blood cancers that usually begin in the bone marrow and produce high numbers of abnormal blood cells. These blood cells are not fully developed and are called blasts or leukemia cells. Symptoms may include bleeding and bruising, bone pain, fatigue, fever, and an increased risk of infections. These symptoms occur due to a lack of normal blood cells. Diagnosis is typically made by blood tests or bone marrow biopsy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philadelphia chromosome</span> Genetic abnormality in leukemia cancer cells

The Philadelphia chromosome or Philadelphia translocation (Ph) is a specific genetic abnormality in chromosome 22 of leukemia cancer cells. This chromosome is defective and unusually short because of reciprocal translocation, t(9;22)(q34;q11), of genetic material between chromosome 9 and chromosome 22, and contains a fusion gene called BCR-ABL1. This gene is the ABL1 gene of chromosome 9 juxtaposed onto the breakpoint cluster region BCR gene of chromosome 22, coding for a hybrid protein: a tyrosine kinase signaling protein that is "always on", causing the cell to divide uncontrollably by interrupting the stability of the genome and impairing various signaling pathways governing the cell cycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chronic myelogenous leukemia</span> Medical condition

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), also known as chronic myeloid leukemia, is a cancer of the white blood cells. It is a form of leukemia characterized by the increased and unregulated growth of myeloid cells in the bone marrow and the accumulation of these cells in the blood. CML is a clonal bone marrow stem cell disorder in which a proliferation of mature granulocytes and their precursors is found; characteristic increase in basophils is clinically relevant. It is a type of myeloproliferative neoplasm associated with a characteristic chromosomal translocation called the Philadelphia chromosome.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imatinib</span> Chemical compound

Imatinib, sold under the brand names Gleevec and Glivec (both marketed worldwide by Novartis) among others, is an oral targeted therapy medication used to treat cancer. Imatinib is a small molecule inhibitor targeting multiple tyrosine kinases such as CSF1R, ABL, c-KIT, FLT3, and PDGFR-β. Specifically, it is used for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) that are Philadelphia chromosome–positive (Ph+), certain types of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL), systemic mastocytosis, and myelodysplastic syndrome.

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) is a public research university focusing primarily on health sciences with a main campus, including two hospitals, in Portland, Oregon. The institution was founded in 1887 as the University of Oregon Medical Department and later became the University of Oregon Medical School. In 1974, the campus became an independent, self-governed institution called the University of Oregon Health Sciences Center, combining state dentistry, medicine, nursing, and public health programs into a single center. It was renamed Oregon Health Sciences University in 1981 and took its current name in 2001, as part of a merger with the Oregon Graduate Institute (OGI), in Hillsboro. The university has several partnership programs including a joint PharmD Pharmacy program with Oregon State University in Corvallis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of cancer chemotherapy</span>

The era of cancer chemotherapy began in the 1940s with the first use of nitrogen mustards and folic acid antagonist drugs. The targeted therapy revolution has arrived, but many of the principles and limitations of chemotherapy discovered by the early researchers still apply.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nilotinib</span> Chemical compound

Nilotinib, sold under the brand name Tasigna among others, is a anti-cancer medication used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) which has the Philadelphia chromosome. It may be used both in initial cases of chronic phase CML as well as in accelerated and chronic phase CML that has not responded to imatinib. It is taken by mouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dasatinib</span> Chemical compound

Dasatinib, sold under the brand name Sprycel among others, is a targeted therapy medication used to treat certain cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Specifically it is used to treat cases that are Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+). It is taken by mouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omacetaxine mepesuccinate</span> Chemical compound

Omacetaxine mepesuccinate is a pharmaceutical drug substance that is indicated for treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Sawyers</span> American physician-scientist (born 1959)

Charles L. Sawyers is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigator who holds the Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Chair of the Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). HOPP is a program created in 2006 that comprises researchers from many disciplines to bridge clinical and laboratory discoveries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicholas Lydon</span> British biochemist

Nicholas B. Lydon FRS is a British scientist and entrepreneur. In 2009, he was awarded the Lasker Clinical Award and in 2012 the Japan Prize for the development of Gleevec, also known as Imatinib, a selective BCR-ABL inhibitor for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), which converted a fatal cancer into a manageable chronic condition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Q. Daley</span> Medical academic

George Quentin Daley is the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Caroline Shields Walker Professor of Medicine, and Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Harvard Medical School. He was formerly the Robert A. Stranahan Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, Director of the Stem Cell Transplantation Program at Boston Children's Hospital, and an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Associate Director of Children's Stem Cell Program, a member of the Executive Committee of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute. He is a past president of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (2007–2008).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlo Gambacorti-Passerini</span> Italian oncologist and hematologist

Carlo Gambacorti-Passerini is an Italian oncologist and hematologist known for his contributions to cancer research.

Bcr-Abl tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI) are the first-line therapy for most patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). More than 90% of CML cases are caused by a chromosomal abnormality that results in the formation of a so-called Philadelphia chromosome. This abnormality was discovered by Peter Nowell in 1960 and is a consequence of fusion between the Abelson (Abl) tyrosine kinase gene at chromosome 9 and the break point cluster (Bcr) gene at chromosome 22, resulting in a chimeric oncogene (Bcr-Abl) and a constitutively active Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of CML. Compounds have been developed to selectively inhibit the tyrosine kinase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ponatinib</span> Medication

Ponatinib, sold under the brand name Iclusig, is a medication used for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia and Philadelphia chromosome–positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It was developed by Ariad Pharmaceuticals. It is a multi-targeted tyrosine-kinase inhibitor. Some forms of chronic myeloid leukemia, those that have the T315I mutation, are resistant to current therapies such as imatinib. Ponatinib has been designed to be effective against these types of tumors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Szent-Györgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research</span>

The Szent-Györgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research, established by National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) and named in honor of Albert Szent-Györgyi, Nobel laureate and co-founder of NFCR, has been awarded annually since 2006 to outstanding researchers whose scientific achievements have expanded the understanding of cancer and whose vision has moved cancer research in new directions. The Szent-Györgyi Prize honors researchers whose discoveries have made possible new approaches to preventing, diagnosing and/or treating cancer. The Prize recipient is honored at a formal dinner and award ceremony and receives a $25,000 cash prize. In addition, the recipient leads the next "Szent-Györgyi Prize Committee" as honorary chairman.

Atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML) is a type of leukemia. It is a heterogeneous disorder belonging to the group of myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative (MDS/MPN) syndromes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radotinib</span> Chemical compound

Radotinib (INN; trade name Supect), and sometimes referred to by its investigational name IY5511, is a drug for the treatment of different types of cancer, most notably Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with resistance or intolerance of other Bcr-Abl tyrosine-kinase inhibitors, such as patients resistant or intolerant to imatinib.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tessa Holyoake</span> Scottish oncology physician and leukemia researcher

Tessa Laurie Holyoake was a Scottish haematology-oncology physician. She specialised in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), and discovered its stem cell. She was considered a world leading expert in leukaemia research.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asciminib</span> Chemical compound

Asciminib, sold under the brand name Scemblix, is a medication used to treat Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Asciminib is a protein kinase inhibitor.

References

  1. 1 2 "Meyenburg Award 2009 for the First Targeted Anti-Cancer Drug". German Cancer Research Center. October 12, 2009. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  2. ↑ Terry, Lynne (December 20, 2015) [online date December 17]. "OHSU's $1 billion war on cancer". The Oregonian . Portland, Oregon. pp. A1, A12–A13. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  3. 1 2 3 "Meet Dr. Brian Druker | Knight Cancer Institute | OHSU". www.ohsu.edu. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  4. ↑ Oregonian/OregonLive, Kristine de Leon | The (2024-12-03). "Dr. Brian Druker, head of OHSU's Knight Cancer Institute, steps down: 'We have ... forgotten our mission'". oregonlive. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  5. ↑ "Brian J. Druker M.D. | OHSU People | OHSU". www.ohsu.edu. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  6. 1 2 Druker, B. J.; Tamura, S.; Buchdunger, E.; Ohno, S.; Segal, G. M.; Fanning, S.; Zimmermann, J.; Lydon, N. B. (May 1996). "Effects of a selective inhibitor of the Abl tyrosine kinase on the growth of Bcr-Abl positive cells". Nature Medicine. 2 (5): 561–566. doi:10.1038/nm0596-561. ISSN   1078-8956. PMID   8616716. S2CID   36102747.
  7. 1 2 Druker, B. J.; Talpaz, M.; Resta, D. J.; Peng, B.; Buchdunger, E.; Ford, J. M.; Lydon, N. B.; Kantarjian, H.; Capdeville, R.; Ohno-Jones, S.; Sawyers, C. L. (2001-04-05). "Efficacy and safety of a specific inhibitor of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase in chronic myeloid leukemia". The New England Journal of Medicine. 344 (14): 1031–1037. doi: 10.1056/NEJM200104053441401 . ISSN   0028-4793. PMID   11287972.
  8. 1 2 O'Brien, Stephen G.; Guilhot, François; Larson, Richard A.; Gathmann, Insa; Baccarani, Michele; Cervantes, Francisco; Cornelissen, Jan J.; Fischer, Thomas; Hochhaus, Andreas; Hughes, Timothy; Lechner, Klaus; Nielsen, Johan L.; Rousselot, Philippe; Reiffers, Josy; Saglio, Giuseppe (2003-03-13). "Imatinib compared with interferon and low-dose cytarabine for newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia". The New England Journal of Medicine. 348 (11): 994–1004. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa022457 . ISSN   1533-4406. PMID   12637609.
  9. 1 2 Dreifus, Claudia (2009-11-02). "Researcher Behind the Drug Gleevec". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  10. ↑ "TIME Magazine Cover: Drugs That Fight Cancer - May 28, 2001". Time . Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  11. ↑ "OHSU marks 20 years of life-saving cancer drug". kgw.com. May 7, 2021. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  12. 1 2 Strauss, Evelyn. "2009 Winners: Lasker~DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award". Lasker Foundation. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  13. 1 2 "The Japan Prize Foundation". The Japan Prize Foundation. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  14. 1 2 "The Albany Prize". Albany Med Health System. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  15. 1 2 "Targeted treatment of cancer receives the Sjöberg Prize". Kungl. Vetenskapsakademien. 2019-02-04. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  16. ↑ "How OHSU's Brian Druker Hopes to Cure Cancer". Willamette Week . Portland, Oregon. January 16, 2014. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  17. 1 2 Charles, Nick (February 19, 2001). "The Miracle Worker: Dr. Brian Druker Fires a Magic Bullet That May Eliminate a Lethal Form of Leukemia". People . Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  18. ↑ "Brian J. Druker". Commencement Archive 2014-2019. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  19. 1 2 "Five to receive honorary degrees at 149th Commencement" (Press release). Washington University in St. Louis. May 6, 2010. Archived from the original on 2016-01-05. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  20. ↑ Druker, Brian J.; Guilhot, François; O'Brien, Stephen G.; Gathmann, Insa; Kantarjian, Hagop; Gattermann, Norbert; Deininger, Michael W.N.; Silver, Richard T.; Goldman, John M.; Stone, Richard M.; Cervantes, Francisco; Hochhaus, Andreas; Powell, Bayard L.; Gabrilove, Janice L.; Rousselot, Philippe (2006-12-07). "Five-Year Follow-up of Patients Receiving Imatinib for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia". New England Journal of Medicine. 355 (23): 2408–2417. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa062867 . ISSN   0028-4793. PMID   17151364.
  21. ↑ "CML Patients Approach Normal Life Expectancy With Imatinib Treatment". Cancer Network. 2017-07-21. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  22. ↑ Printz, Carrie (2017-05-15). "First person: Brian Druker, MD". Cancer. 123 (10): 1683–1684. doi: 10.1002/cncr.30753 . ISSN   0008-543X. PMID   28475244.
  23. ↑ Budnick, Nick (April 25, 2013). "Top Oregon Health & Science University researcher to doctors: Rise up over drug prices". The Oregonian . Portland, Oregon. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  24. ↑ "The price of drugs for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a reflection of the unsustainable prices of cancer drugs: from the perspective of a large group of CML experts". ashpublications.org. May 30, 2013. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  25. ↑ "Bringing Precision Medicine to AML Patients | Leukemia and Lymphoma Society". www.lls.org. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  26. ↑ Dworkin, Andy (October 29, 2008). "OHSU Cancer Institute gets $100 million donation". The Oregonian . Portland, Oregon. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  27. ↑ "OHSU sets fundraising record by meeting $1 billion challenge from Nike co-founder and wife". OHSU News. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  28. ↑ Gibbs, Amanda. "OHSU Knight Cancer Institute announces leadership transition". OHSU News. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  29. ↑ "Dr. Brian Druker Resigns as Head of OHSU's Knight Cancer Institute". Willamette Week. 2024-12-03. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  30. ↑ "OHSU's Brian Druker on morale, cost-cutting, and the plan to acquire Legacy Health". opb. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  31. ↑ "Head of OHSU Knight Cancer Institute resigns". opb. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  32. 1 2 "Tang Prize | Laureates | Brian J. Druker". www.tang-prize.org. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  33. ↑ "CLINICAL SCIENTIST AWARDS IN TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH: Grant Recipients". Burroughs Wellcome Fund.
  34. ↑ "Brupbacher Prize – Charles Rodolphe Brupbacher Foundation". Charles Rodolphe Brupbacher Stiftung. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  35. ↑ "Brian J. Druker, MD". American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  36. ↑ "Prize Recipients | Warren Alpert Foundation Prize". warrenalpert.org. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  37. ↑ "William Dameshek Prize Recipients". www.hematology.org. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  38. ↑ "OHSU researcher to get American Cancer Society medal". Portland Business Journal. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  39. ↑ "Robert Koch Award". www.robert-koch-stiftung.de. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  40. ↑ "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement". www.achievement.org. American Academy of Achievement.
  41. ↑ "Keio Medical Science Prize｜KEIO UNIVERSITY MEDICAL SCIENCE FUND". www.ms-fund.keio.ac.jp. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  42. ↑ Williams, Elisa (February 22, 2011). "OHSU's Druker recognized for pioneering cancer research". OregonLive.com . Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  43. ↑ "Ernest Beutler Lecture and Prize Recipients". www.hematology.org. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  44. ↑ www.dicksonprize.pitt.edu https://www.dicksonprize.pitt.edu/recipients/2012-druker.php . Retrieved 2023-10-13.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  45. ↑ "UCSF Medal". Office of the Chancellor. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  46. ↑ "OncLive Announces 2013 "Giants of Cancer Care"". OncLive. 2013-07-26. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  47. ↑ "Taubman Prize". A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  48. ↑ "Honorary Doctorates | Erasmus University Rotterdam". www.eur.nl. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  49. ↑ "Prof. Brian J Druker - Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences - HMA". www.hmaward.org.ae. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  50. ↑ "Professor Brian J. Druker". Prince Mahidol Award Foundation. 2019-11-23. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  51. ↑ "Rell Sunn 2019 - Druker and Hunter". Luau & Legends of Surfing Invitational. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  52. ↑ "Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University director named winner of Watanabe Prize, will deliver keynote address at virtual 2020 Indiana CTSI Annual Meeting". Indiana CTSI. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  53. ↑ "2023 Drug Discovery Conference". Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (in Samoan). Retrieved 2023-10-13.
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