Dr. Bernadine Healy's column discusses that strategically ramping up work in cancer genomics and a newer area of exploration, cancer stem cells, is what will lead to improved treatments, provided the money, talent, and technological resources are there. Greg Simon's testimony before the Senate HELP committee is mentioned.

In their search for cures, many nonprofit disease foundations are playing the role of investor, funneling research dollars to biotechnology companies. But unlike a venture capital firm, these donor-based patient advocacy groups don't expect a financial return on their "investment" in return for research grants.

Analysts see promise and problems in online health efforts by Google and Microsoft. Still in testing, Google Health and Microsoft HealthVault aim to give Web surfers a place to store medical records from their doctors, plus lab results and more. The sites will also give users tools to help keep in good health.