LOS ANGELES, April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- James Berenson, M.D., formerly director of the Multiple Myeloma and Bone Metastasis Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and professor of medicine at UCLA, has announced the founding of the Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research (IMBCR), an independent research institute aimed at learning the causes and developing new treatments for common forms of cancer. Dr. Berenson, who is known for fostering innovative partnerships and relationships between pharmaceutical and biotech companies, academic institutions, individual donors and foundations, will draw on this background as he attempts to establish the Institute as a leading global force in the development of life-saving cancer therapies.
"Our treatments already offer an overall better, more fulfilling lifespan for patients who suffer from these diseases. But 'close' is not enough. We can do better," said Dr. Berenson, president and founder of the IMBCR. "Now more than ever, independent research like ours is needed to develop innovative, more effective therapies."
Myeloma and bone cancer are two of the fastest-growing diseases in the world. In the United States, there are an estimated 300,000 new cases of these debilitating and painful cancers each year. And because breast, prostate and lung cancers often metastasize in the bone, the number of bone cancer patients is expected to rise. The Institute was created out of the belief that a dedicated, stand-alone organization will speed up the advancement of scientific research, devise revolutionary treatments and eventually find a cure.
"When I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma the prognosis was three to five years," said Geraldine Ferraro, former vice presidential candidate and member of the Institute's National Advisory Board. "Now with newly developed drugs, the result of cutting edge research being done by Dr. Berenson and others, I fully expect to see my grandchildren graduate college. I am confident that the Institute will successfully work to find a cure to this costly and devastating disease so that my expectations, and those of other multiple myeloma patients, will become a reality."
The highly qualified team of expert scientists at the Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research is already conducting innovative research to develop new, advanced therapies. The team is poised to quicken the pace of development of new and cutting-edge combination therapies for these diseases- and to make these treatments available to patients. Their work will have ramifications not only for myeloma and bone cancer patients, but also for patients with other types of cancer that metastasize in the bone.
The Institute's team of top research scientists will use their cumulative expertise and innovative technologies to support independent research driven by the Institute, both in vitro (test tube) and in vivo (the use of live models). Top laboratory priorities include:
-- Finding less toxic combination therapies that are more effective for
patients
-- Optimizing the use of new drugs for patients
-- Evaluating new drugs more quickly
-- Developing new genetic approaches to identify risk factors in myeloma
and bone cancer patients
"We envision a future in which patients can live high quality lives with the help of effective treatments that can eliminate symptoms without side effects," said Dr. Berenson. "With support from the philanthropic community, we will turn these deadly and devastating diseases into controllable chronic conditions."
Initial financial support for the IMBCR comes from a $1 million grant from the Annenberg Foundation and a $500,000 grant from the Skirball Foundation. The IMBCR has signed a lease for its own research laboratory located in West Los Angeles and is expected to be operating there by the second quarter of 2004. The Institute is currently looking for an executive director to add to its staff of seven full-time medical researchers and plans to recruit additional board members.
About Myeloma and Bone Cancer
Multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells, is a complex disease of the bone marrow. It affects adults but rarely children, and affects more men than women. As a result of abnormal growth in the number of plasma cells in the bone marrow and blood, blood cell production is reduced, compromising the body's immune system. Collections of these plasma cells or patches in the bone can cause tumors. In addition, common complications from the reduction of bone strength include bone fractures and debilitating bone pain. No known cure exists. Diagnosis is often inconclusive and treatments vary from doctor to doctor.
Metastatic bone cancer commonly results from the spread of cancers from primary tumors in the breast, prostate and lung. These tumors often produce substances that lead to increased destruction of bone. As a result, the patients are at high risk to develop fractures, compression of the spinal cord by loss of bone integrity of direct tumor involvement, and severe bone pain. This often results in the requirement for pain medication, surgery, and radiation therapy. This often affects the patient's quality of life and can shorten the patient's overall survival.
About the IMBCR
The mission of the Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research is to develop new and cutting-edge therapies to improve the lives and longevities of patients who suffer from myeloma and bone cancer. The Institute is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and contributions are fully tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. For more details about how you can help the IMBCR make a significant difference in the lives of millions, visit http://www.myelomasource.org/.
The Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research Board of Directors include Dr. James R. Berenson; Rabbi David Baron of Temple Shalom for the Arts; Ron Rogers, founder and CEO of Rogers & Associates; Geo Hartley, attorney and theatrical producer; and James Tamkin, M.D., FACP, FACE, associate clinical professor of medicine at UCLA. The Advisory Board Members are Geraldine Ferraro and former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, M.D. Scientific Advisory Committee members include William S. Dalton, Ph.D., M.D., chief executive officer and center director of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute; Benjamin Bonavida, Ph.D., professor of immunology at UCLA School of Medicine; and Allan Lipton, M.D., chief of the Division of Oncology at The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at Pennsylvania State University.
Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer ResearchCONTACT: Laura J. Hernandez of Rogers & Associates, +1-310-552-4155, forInstitute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research
Web site: http://www.myelomasource.org/
