RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS MADE POSSIBLE WITH YOUR SUPPORT

Target Therapy For Brain Cancer In Clinics

NFCR-funded scientist, Paul B. Fisher, M.Ph., Ph.D., believes in “thinking outside the box” to generate new research discoveries. Thanks to Dr.Fisher’s inventive philosophy, he and his team discovered genetically engineered viruses known as Cancer Terminator Viruses (CTV’s), designed to carry anti-cancer agents only to cancer cells, leaving healthy cells untouched. When paired with a powerful immune system modulator, also discovered by Dr. Fisher’s team, this CTV causes primary and metastatic cancer cells to “commit suicide.”

Dr. Fisher’s therapy is scheduled for use in clinical trials for patients with glioblastoma multiform (GBM), the aggressive brain cancer claiming lives only 15 months after diagnosis. Continued funding will allow patients diagnosed with metastatic prostate, breast, pancreatic and other cancers to experience this groundbreaking cancer treatment. Please help support his cutting-edge research.

Molecular Imaging Improves Detection and Strategic Removal of Cancer Cells

James Basilion, Ph.D. is developing a dual-purpose and sensitive imaging probe. It will allow surgeons to “see” and detect prostate cancer cells for better surgical removal. With light activation, the probe can then destroy missed cancer cells and those too risky to remove by surgery. The probe reduces surgical side effects by leaving healthy tissue intact and will reduce the change of deadly metastasis (when cancer spreads to other parts of the body). The powerful probe, which applies to other cancer types, may soon reach clinical trials.

Standard Hypertensive Drug Improves Chemotherapy Response in Ovarian, Breast & Pancreatic Cancers

Cancers can develop resistance to chemotherapy – a significant unmet clinical need for patients and their doctors. Rakesh K. Jain, Ph.D. addressed this challenge by focusing on the layers of fat, immune and other cells (stroma) which compress blood vessels surrounding some tumors and hinder the delivery of chemotherapy, resulting in chemo-resistance. His team discovered that a drug commonly used to control hypertension reduces the stroma surrounding pancreatic, breast and ovarian tumors, allowing for increased blood supply to effectively deliver chemotherapy. 

A clinical trial combining the drug with chemotherapy has shown very promising results against pancreatic cancer – the 3rd deadliest type of cancer. With continued research, this combination treatment may give patients with the ‘silent killer’ – ovarian cancer – hope for an effective treatment to save their lives. 

Ancient Enzymes for Protein Synthesis May Help Activate the Immune System to Fight Cancer

The importance of our immune system for keeping cancer at bay has been beautifully demonstrated by the recent success of cancer immunotherapy. Paul Schimmel, Ph.D. and Xiang-Lei Yang, Ph.D. are leading experts in the study of the exquisite enzymes that synthesize all proteins present since very early in evolution. In recent years, they discovered that these enzymes also carry other vital, yet unexpected biological roles. Their latest research shows that one enzyme – SerRS – may activate the immune system to combat cancer. Stay tuned as this research is under close investigation as a potential new cancer immunotherapy.

Cutting-edge CRISPR Technology: Identify Genes to Suppress the Metastatic Recurrence of Breast Cancer

Cancer cells that migrate from primary tumors and become circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood can metastasize to a vital organ. Daniel Haber, M.D., Ph.D. is using the gene-editing tool, CRISPR, to identify and turn on or off the genes that regulate the ability of CTC’s metastasize from breast tumors. Several candidate genes have been identified. Ultimately, therapies will be developed that suppress the genes and give women greater hope for surviving the metastatic recurrence of breast cancer.

Precision Oncology: Customized Treatment Regimens for Patients

One of the hallmarks of cancer is chromosomal instability (CIN) or alterations in chromosome number or structure. Precision oncology leader, Wei Zhang, Ph.D, suggests CIN can significantly affect how tumors change and respond to therapy and it could be an option for selecting therapy and targeting chemotherapy resistant cancer. While the field of precision medicine is still in its infancy, NFCR knows the vast promise it holds: with the rise of genomics, scientists can untangle the genetic knot of cancer, tailoring customized treatment regimens for each patient.

IMMUNOTHERAPY SAVES MELINDA’S LIFE 

“At 41, I was diagnosed with Bile Duct Cancer—a very rare, aggressive and difficult to treat cancer. Just 20 days after being diagnosed, I was having surgery to remove the tumor, along with 2/3 of my liver. Despite the surgery, the cancer soon spread to my lungs and I was deemed Stage IV terminal.

As a mother of six children, terminal was not a word that I was willing to accept. I began treatment, two six-month rounds of aggressive chemotherapy that ultimately failed to work and left me with a miserable quality of life. I made the difficult decision to stop the treatment and look for alternative options.

I was a matched candidate for a unique trial that involved adoptive cell therapy, using my own immune system to fight off the cancer. With the combination of a novel approach and my body’s own defenses, the cancer has been kept at bay. Here I am today, 10 years later.

I attribute this to the wonderful advancements in cancer research, the brilliant minds of researchers and scientists, the many cancer fighting organizations like NFCR, and donors like you who make all this possible.”

— Melinda Bachini

THE POWER OF YOUR DONATION

Help NFCR continue to provide essential funding for innovative research that will lead to a cure of cancer. One discovery at a time, we are getting closer to our shared goal – finding cures for all types of cancer.

HOW YOU CAN GIVE

Gifts to NFCR can be made in a variety of forms to best align with your needs and charitable intent. Gifts can be made in honor or memory of a friend, colleague and/or a loved one. Popular ways to give at the end of the year include: