‘Cancer Research’ recognizes Gloria Heppner, Ph.D., for influential article

The American Association for Cancer Research journal revisits 1984 article by former associate vice president for research at Wayne State University.

Cancer Research, the journal published by the American Association for Cancer Research, commemorated its 75th anniversary in 2016 by highlighting 48 of the most influential articles in the publication’s history. Among those recognized was a Warrior: Gloria Heppner, Ph.D., who recently retired as Wayne State’s associate vice president for research.

Heppner was selected for her 1984 article, “Tumor Heterogeneity,” which Cancer Research described as being “more often highlighted by editors, AACR Fellows and cancer researchers than any other [article].”

“I worked hard on the article, and we went well over 1,000 reprints.”

Gloria Heppner

Heppner, who served as a professor of internal medicine and assistant dean for cancer programs at Wayne State’s School of Medicine, thought the article had been forgotten until about three years ago, when researchers began renewing their interest in the concept that cancer is a disease that involves a system, with subpopulations within tumors. Those subpopulations act differently within a tumor, making diagnosis and treatment challenging.

“I worked hard on the article, and it went over big,” Heppner said upon learning of her recognition. “We went well over 1,000 reprints. I always felt it was my best article.”

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering nearly 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 27,000 students.