The mission of the University of Minnesota Brain Tumor Program (UMBTP) is to continually distinguish itself as a national leader in the field of neuro-oncology by combining the principles of outstanding clinical care and education with cutting edge research. As a translational neuro-oncology program, the UMBTP accelerates the flow of discovery from its basic scientists to its clinical researchers. Together, they work to develop safer, more effective, and innovative treatment strategies.
This "bench-to-bedside" approach is made possible through the collaboration of strong, multidisciplinary teams. With representation from diverse backgrounds and disciplines including cancer genetics, virology, neurology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, pharmacy, biomedical engineering, and veterinary medicine, the collective focus of the UMBTP is to better the lives of patients with brain cancer and to place a cure in reach.
Another means for translational brain cancer research unique to the UMBTP is through comparative oncology in partnership with the Canine Brain Tumor Program. Conducted through the Animal Cancer Care and Research Program, the goal of these clinical trials is to provide cutting edge therapy to dogs to preserve quality of life and improve long-term survival rates. The information gained from treating canine patients with these novel therapeutic interventions can then be utilized to design similar treatment strategies for people diagnosed with brain cancers.