SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- In a continuing effort to combat one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer, the National Brain Tumor Foundation announced today that it is funding seven new research grants specifically aimed at glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). GBM, a cancer that originates in the brain, continues to be one of the most difficult cancers to treat because of the tumor’s ability to grow so quickly and aggressively. More than 90% of patients die within two years. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in young men ages 20 to 39 and the fifth leading cause of cancer death in young women of the same ages.
“We established a special research fund three years ago at the request of a family who had lost their father to this type of brain cancer,” says Rob Tufel, MSW, MPH, Executive Director of NBTF. “They felt strongly that more GBM research needed to be funded, as a way of preventing other families from going through what they had to endure.”
The types of grants that NBTF is funding are investigating issues such as:
-- the relationship between inflammation, changes in DNA, and brain cancer -- the development of an effective vaccine against brain cancer -- analysis of the DNA in tumor cells to understand why some patients are resistant to chemotherapy -- developing new ways of identifying brain cancer stem cells and their role in tumor growth -- understanding why cancer cells spread from the original site, which can lead to better knowledge of why tumors recur
“The impact of genetic information and molecular processes is reflected in our current round of grant applications,” explains Charles B. Wilson, MD, MSHA, ScD, NBTF Board of Directors. “No longer is it enough to know that trial and error ‘discovered’ a new treatment that works. By determining the genetic/molecular characteristics of a tumor type, drugs can be designed that exploit the tumor’s vulnerability by disabling one or more critical functions. We have entered the age of molecular medicine, also known as personalized medicine, a transition that promises enormous benefit for patients with brain tumors.”
“We are at an exciting time in research but, unfortunately, government funding is decreasing and does not support all the research that needs to be done,” adds Tufel. “Patients and family members don’t have time to wait. They support NBTF because they know that we are committed to funding the best research as well as giving help and hope to those people diagnosed with a brain tumor.”
In addition to funding GBM research, NBTF funds research investigating brain tumors in children, as well as research focusing on the causes of brain tumors. This year, NBTF was able to provide over $600,000 in research grants.
The National Brain Tumor Foundation was founded 25 years ago in San Francisco by patients and their family members. In addition to funding research, NBTF provides support and information free of charge to patients, family members and friends. Each month NBTF responds to over 1,000 inquires and also offers many different programs including a National Caregiver Education Program to help patients and families deal with this difficult diagnosis.
For more information, visit the NBTF web site at www.braintumor.org or call 1.800.934.CURE (2873).
Source: National Brain Tumor Foundation
