Razelle Kurzrock, MD, FACP, is best known to MCW Cancer Center members as the Associate Director of Clinical Research, a role in which she sets the direction and oversees the Center’s clinical research enterprise. As a world-renowned physician-scientist, Dr. Kurzrock is helping to transform the landscape of cancer research and care to achieve more precise diagnoses, personalized and targeted therapies, and improved patient outcomes.
Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Dr. Kurzrock’s passion for science began in grade school. Typically, when students are asked what they want to be when they grow up, their answers include: astronaut, teacher, or fireman. Dr. Kurzrock had her sights fixed elsewhere.
“I knew I wanted to be a scientist from age six. I am not sure how or why I knew – but I knew,” she said. “I used to smuggle science books under my desk and read them during class. Boys in my class called me ‘the scientist.’ It was not meant in a kind way.”
Not one to be deterred, Dr. Kurzrock would go on to secure a medical degree from the University of Toronto, a residency at Tulane University, and a fellowship and later a faculty position at MD Anderson, where she rose to become a Department Chair. Prior to joining MCW, she held several leadership positions at the University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center. She is now recognized as one of the world’s most important voices in precision medicine and is one of the most highly cited scientists globally.
Today, in addition to overseeing the Cancer Center’s Clinical Research enterprise, Dr. Kurzrock is the Associate Director of Precision Oncology for the Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine, and founded the Rare Cancer and Precision Medicine Clinic. She holds the Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Endowed Chair of Precision Oncology.
Focused on Patient-Centered Care
Dr. Kurzrock’s keen focus on clinical research and precision medicine began early in her career. At MD Anderson, she founded and directed one of the largest phase 1 clinical trial departments in the world. Its focus: precision medicine.
“I believe that we can change the course of people’s lives through precision medicine and innovative clinical trials,” said Dr. Kurzrock. “We are reclassifying cancer based on its molecular underpinnings and this will allow us to revolutionize the way we treat patients. Every patient will receive a treatment personalized to their particular tumor,” she said.
Dr. Kurzrock is especially proud of the work being done at the Rare Cancer and Precision Medicine Clinic. “The clinic is doing world-class work for patients with advanced cancer, and especially for patients with rare cancers, which is an enormous unmet need,” she noted. “Rare cancers are individually rare but altogether they make up almost 25% of the cancer burden; they have very few FDA-approved therapies or clinical trials available, so we consider patient care for both rare and common cancers through a combination of genomics (analyzing a patient’s genes) and targeted therapy as well as immunotherapy (harnessing a patient’s immune system to fight disease),” said Dr. Kurzrock. The clinic has now had over 3,000 patient visits, with patients coming from across the country, Canada, and Europe.
“Any patient walking through the Cancer Center door has access to innovative and advanced genomic/multi-omic testing, an expert Molecular Tumor Board, and novel treatments,” said Kurzrock. In addition to the clinic, patients have access to the MCW I-PREDICT trial (Investigation of Profile-related Evidence Determining Individualized Cancer Therapy) co-led by Ben George, MD. The objective of the trial is to precisely match the abnormalities of a patient’s tumor to the right combination of drugs. To date, the trial has accrued over 150 patients. “In order to optimize therapy and make new discoveries, we work closely with an amazing group of physicians as well as laboratory scientists, all devoted to bringing together their expertise to transform cancer care for patients,” said Dr. Kurzrock.
Driven by Passion and Purpose
With long-standing experience in the field and no signs of stopping, Dr. Kurzrock has some advice for others in the industry, no matter where they are on their career path:
- Do what you are passionate about. Don’t let people dissuade you from following that passion.
- Establish your guiding star. For me, it is what is best for patients. Then, with every decision, make sure you keep that objective front and center.
- Don’t listen when people say something is impossible. I can’t count the number of things that were supposedly impossible until they were possible because of someone’s genius, persistence, and refusal to believe the naysayers.
Importantly, Dr Kurzrock is also passionate about mentoring students, and young physicians and scientists who are interested in precision medicine. Many of the people that she has previously mentored are now globally recognized leaders in the field. Her one word of advice for young people who are just starting their careers: “Innovate.”
Grounded in Family
Dr. Kurzrock said that she is fortunate to have a supportive family. “I am lucky to have a devoted husband, who is also a physician and therefore understands me. I also have four adult children who have turned out to be wonderful people.”
Her family also includes three very important members–her Basenjis (pictured right), which she notes is a breed of rather willful dogs. “I am totally smitten with them,” she added.