The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) honored Zhu Chen, MD, PhD, with the 2014 AACR Award for Distinguished Public Service and Global Impact in Cancer Research in Biomedical Science at the AACR’s inaugural meeting in China, called New Horizons in Cancer Research: Harnessing Breakthroughs—Targeting Cures. Dr. Chen received the award when he delivered the opening plenary lecture at the inaugural meeting.
Dr. Chen, a fellow of the AACR Academy, is the Vice Chairman of the 12th Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. From 2007 to 2013, he served as China’s Minister of Health.
“Dr. Chen epitomizes the scientific work of this vast nation, and it is our honor to recognize him for his achievements,” said Carlos L. Arteaga, MD, President of the AACR.
In a career dedicated to translational research, Dr. Chen pioneered the concept of combination targeted therapies for cancer and, by combining traditional Chinese medicine with Western medicine, he provided the first successful model in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia with all-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide. This treatment turned this previously fatal hematologic malignancy into a largely curable disease. ■
