MARF-Funded Mesothelioma Research, 2000-2004
MARF's research program is designed to spur and develop more of the experimental research which can lead to breakthroughs similar to Alimta, the first drug specifically approved by the FDA for mesothelioma. Selection of the projects for funding is based on the prestigious National Cancer Institute peer review model, where scientific experts in the particular field evaluate the proposed projects on their merits, and the best projects are the ones which get funded. This is the only independent, peer-reviewed mesothelioma research funding program in the U.S.
MARF has now awarded over $1.3 million in mesothelioma research funding to exceptional projects. Its track record of consistent support for high quality mesothelioma treatment research is now stimulating more and higher quality mesothelioma research. In its first funding cycle in 2000, MARF received seven grant applications and awarded two grants. Last year MARF received 25 applications from highly regarded centers in the U.S., including Harvard, Duke, Sloan Kettering and Vanderbilt, and six other countries, and awarded grants to five stellar projects. For 2004, MARF has now received 31 grant applications.
2000
Identification of a 1p22 Tumor Suppressor Locus Frequently Deleted in Malignant Mesothelioma
Joseph R. Testa, Ph.D.
Director, Human Genetics Program
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Biologic Markers of Angiogenesis in Malignant Mesothelioma
Hedy Kindler, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology
University of Chicago
2001
Validation of Prognostic Markers in Mesothelioma
Raphael Bueno, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Division of Thoracic Surgery
Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital
Computerized Analysis of Mesothelioma on Thoracic Computed Tomography Scans
Samuel G. Armato III, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Radiology
The University of Chicago
National Mesothelioma Data/Tissue Bank Pilot Project
Dr. Robert Cameron
Chief of Thoracic Surgery
UCLA Medical School
2002
Pharmacogenetic and Pharmacogenomic Studies of Thymidylate Synthase Enhancer Region Polymorphisms in Mesothelioma and Their Therapeutic Implications in Patients Treated with Pemetrexed Sodium
Muralidhar Beeram, M.D. and Johann de Bono, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Texas Cancer Therapy and Research Center
Institute for Drug Development
Molecular Diagnosis of Mesothelioma Using DNA Methylation Signatures
Ite Laird-Offringa, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Surgery
USC/Norris Cancer Center
2003
Dendritic Cell-Based Immunotherapy of Mesothelioma
Dr. B. Lambrecht, M.D., Ph.D.
Erasmus Medical Center
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Targeted Virotherapy for Mesothelioma
David T. Curiel, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Gene Therapy in Mesothelioma
Gavin J. Gordon, Ph.D.
Harvard Medical School/Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, MA
Radiation Sensitization Via Inhibiting Survival of Mesothelioma and its Vascular Endothelium
Bo Lu, M.D., Ph.D.,
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN
Phenotypic and Genotypic Determinants to Identify Patients at High Risk for Mesothelioma
Jill A. Ohar, M.D.
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, NC
2004
Comparison Of Adjuvant Treatments For Mesothelioma, Including Hyperthermia, COX-2 Inhibition, Cpil-4 Toxin Therapy, And Standard Chemotherapy
Dr. Robert Cameron
Chief of Thoracic Surgery
UCLA Medical School
Soluble Mesothelin/MPF Related Protein (SMR) Levels in Mesothelioma: A MARF Collaborative Study for Definition of Biomarker Classification and Use in Therapy Monitoring
Dr. Harvey Pass
Karmanos Cancer Institute
Mutant Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors as Targets in Mesothelioma
Dr. Eric Vallières
Swedish Cancer Institute
