Alan H. Bryce, M.D.

Dr. Bryce studies cancer genetics and novel therapeutics with a focus on personalized medicine. His clinical practice centers on genitourinary malignancies (prostate, kidney, bladder, and testicular cancers) and melanoma.

He is the Medical Director of the Genomic Oncology Clinic at Mayo Clinic Arizona where he utilizes whole genome sequencing of tumors to identify key driver mutations. This approach allows for precise targeting of a patient's tumor, leading to a greater chance of remission.

In addition, Dr. Bryce participates in community outreach to underserved populations and has in interest in health disparities research. He also conducts Phase I clinical trials of new cancer drugs.

Focus areas

• Personalized medicine. With the advent of the Human Genome Project, it has become possible to completely sequence the DNA of a patient or their tumor. This technique has the potential to allow physicians to identify a tumor's unique vulnerabilities, or even to predict which tumors will recur or which may be benign enough that no treatment is required. These methods may allow cancer research to progress beyond the era of massive, take-all-comers clinical trials to an era in which every patient receives treatment that is precisely directed at the individual cancer's most vulnerable point.
• Application of genomics to prostate cancer and melanoma. Dr. Bryce is leading a prostate cancer study that looks at how tumors evolve as they progress from early stage disease to metastatic disease. Since cancers are more vulnerable early on, identifying aggressive tumors early can lead to better long term treatment outcomes.
• Phase I trials. These are trials where new drugs or drug combinations are being tested for the first time. Bringing new drugs into the clinic is a key step in the fight against cancer.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Bryce's research centers on understanding the genetic mutations of individual cancer cells in order to allow for a precise, targeted treatment strategy. The ultimate goal is for every patient to have their tumor biopsied and sequenced, resulting in a personalized treatment plan.

Professional highlights

• Young Investigator Award. American Journal of Hematology, 2008.
• Oncology Scholar-in Training Award. American Association of Cancer Research Bristol-Myers Squibb, 2009.
• Chief Fellow, Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., 2008-2009.