Physician-Scientist

When Dr. Murray Korc arrived at Dartmouth in 2003, he was already considered a pioneer in early research on growth factor receptors in pancreatic cancer, one of the most deadly and aggressive forms of cancer.

Today, as the Chair of the Department of Medicine, Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Research, and Professor of Medicine and Toxicology at DMS, Korc is also seen as a gifted clinician and valued faculty member. One of Korc's responsibilities is to train third-year students on their medicine rotations. As Dr. Harold Friedman, long-time member of the Admissions Committee states, "You only have to listen to the penetrating questions Dr. Korc poses at the end of medical grand rounds to see the kind of intellectual excitement he generates. His breadth of knowledge infuses the entire department and inspires our students."

Dr. Korc's breadth of knowledge clearly inspires his fellow Dartmouth researchers as well. Together, they have made exciting progress in determining what factors enable pancreatic cancer cells to grow so rapidly, as well as potential methods to slow that rate down and actually suppress tumor growth. Korc's research team found that VEGF actions can be blocked in pre-clinical models with a soluble receptor protein. This investigation has led to a phase-one study in humans, with Dartmouth

being just one of two sites nationally where this therapy is being tested.

As a notable translational researcher and clinician, Korc emphasizes that his efforts are but one of many examples at Dartmouth where physicians, scientists, faculty, and students work together toward a two-fold goal: to find better ways to advance biomedical knowledge and care for human beings. Given Dr. Korc's area of expertise, that model is paramount.

"The mortality rate of pancreatic cancer virtually equals its incidence, and too many patients die within six months of diagnosis," Korc explains. "That's why we're so excited about this research; that it might lead to more advances in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. It's an ongoing struggle and the work is challenging," he adds, "but progress is being made all over the world, and our students are helping lead it."