Letter to Dr. Steven K. Libutti, Director of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey - Application to be a National Cancer Institute

Letter

Dear Dr. Libutti:

As members of New Jersey's Congressional delegation, we write in support of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey's application for recognition as a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. This certification is of critical importance to the health and well-being of the people of New Jersey.

Originally recognized as an NCI-Designated cancer center in 1997, the Rutgers Cancer Institute is one of only 49 such centers nationwide, and the only one in the entire state of New Jersey. The Rutgers Cancer Institute has played a significant role in American cancer research and clinical care. Its cancer researchers and clinicians apply the latest technologies, therapies, and approaches to improve precision medicine, immunotherapy, epidemiology, chemical carcinogenesis, tumor virology, drug development and resistance, and cancer genomics, among other advances.

The Rutgers Cancer Institute serves a unique role in New Jersey, and is an economic engine for the state. According to a 2015 independent economic impact report, for every dollar of federal funding that was granted to the Rutgers Cancer Institute, $13 were returned to the state. Among its unique contributions, cancer researchers at Rutgers Cancer Institute are able to study New Jersey's diverse population to better understand rare cancers and those more common in minority populations, where cancer research and breakthroughs have been lagging. As a member of the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium, the institute conducts highly translational oncology trials that leverage the scientific and clinical expertise of Big Ten Universities.

The work taking place at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey is advancing cancer clinical care, research, and awareness across the state and country. We are proud to support Rutgers' application for certification as an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. We look forward to learning of the outcome of this application.

Sincerely,