OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY Officials make plans to expand cancer treatment and research

The university plans to double the size of the hospital and research center.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Ohio State University plans to spend up to $400 million over the next decade to expand its cancer program and keep it nationally competitive. Cases of the disease are expected to rise by 50 percent in the next 25 years.
The changes include doubling the size of the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute and building a new outpatient center. University trustees unanimously voted Friday to allow hiring architects and engineers.
Calling the expansion "the most exciting project at Ohio State in maybe forever," OSU President Karen Holbrook said the combined hospital and research center is constrained by size.
The hospital has room for 158 patients, up from the average of 104 daily in the 2000 budget year.
To meet patients' needs, 10 percent to 15 percent of beds should be open every day, said Dr. Michael Caligiuri, director of the university's Comprehensive Cancer Center, which also includes the OSU Medical Center, and deputy director of the James.
Outpatient needs are surging, too, as more people live longer with the disease, he said.
Research facilities
On the research side, the university needs modern laboratory space to keep the best and hire more prestigious researchers, said Dr. David Schuller, executive director of the James and deputy director of the overall program.
"We want a bunch of cowboys who are willing to think big and take risks," he said.
OSU's cancer program was supported by $97 million in research money as of February.