BETHPAGE, N.Y., March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, the largest private foundation dedicated exclusively to supporting pancreatic cancer research, will tomorrow hold a kick-off Consortium meeting in Chicago to launch a $1.25 million commitment to create antibodies for promising biomarker targets for pancreatic cancer, the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.
The Pancreatic Cancer Biomarker Development Project is a Consortium representing four leading cancer research organizations, including Canary Foundation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, University of California at San Francisco and Van Andel Research Institute. The Project is expected to complete by the end of 2009. The Lustgarten Foundation is receiving support for the Project from the Harry T. Barbaris, M.D. Memorial Fund.
Said Dr. Robert Vizza, President of The Lustgarten Foundation, "Today, it is widely accepted that certain proteins (biomarkers) tend to be elevated in pancreatic cancer. Biomarkers show particular promise for the early detection of pancreatic cancer because they can be detected in the blood before even the most sensitive scans can find the disease."
Said Kerri Kaplan, the Lustgarten Foundation's Executive Director, "One of the most devastating aspects of pancreatic cancer is that far too often it is detected after it has spread. Ultimately, it is our hope that this Project will lead to the development of new diagnostic methods, and that screening for pancreatic cancer can someday be as simple as receiving a blood test in your doctor's office."
The Pancreatic Cancer Biomarker Development Project follows several recent major breakthroughs in other areas of pancreatic cancer research, which were partially funded by The Lustgarten Foundation.
About Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of all cancer deaths in the United States and the third leading cause of cancer deaths in individuals ages 40 to 60. Approximately 37,000 Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year, and, each year, approximately the same number die from it. Often, pancreatic cancer is found too late for surgical intervention, and chemotherapy and radiation treatments have little effect.
About The Lustgarten Foundation
The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research was founded in 1998 through the efforts of Marc Lustgarten, former Vice Chairman of Cablevision, who died of pancreatic cancer in 1999, and Charles F. Dolan, Chairman of Cablevision. Since its founding, The Lustgarten Foundation has awarded grants totaling $20 million in support of pancreatic cancer research. For more information regarding the Foundation, its work and the application process for grants, contact Ms. Kerri Kaplan, Executive Director, The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, N.Y. 11714; phone: 516-803-2304, fax: 516-803-2303, Web site: www.lustgarten.org
CONTACT: Kerri Kaplan, Executive Director, +1-516-803-2305,
kkaplan@cablevision.com, or Kimberly Johnke, L.M.S.W., Manager, Public &
Patient Information, +1-516-803-2306, kjohnke@cablevision.com, both of The
Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research
Web site: http://www.lustgarten.org/
