NAPA, Calif., May 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tug McGraw Foundation and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure have jointly awarded a $145,000 research grant to Dr. Joseph Costello from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) for his work to control brain tumor growth. This grant represents a unique collaboration among two top brain tumor organizations joining forces to fund research that holds the potential to dramatically improve the lives of patients living with brain cancer.
This is the second time these two non-profit organizations have come together to jointly fund a research award. The grant is the result of a strategic collaboration, combining Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure’s dedication to advancing therapies leading to a cure for brain cancer and the Tug McGraw Foundation’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for children and adults with brain tumors, and their families.
“Patient quality of life and the search for new treatments are not mutually exclusive priorities in brain cancer research,” said Kate Carr, President and CEO of Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure. “By co-funding research we can provide innovative investigators with the support they require to make breakthroughs and potentially enhance our arsenal of targeted brain cancer therapies.”
“Collaboration is a critical component to success in research. We encourage brain tumor organizations to work together to best serve patients,” said Jennifer Brusstar, President and CEO of the Tug McGraw Foundation. “Co-funding this award makes good sense, as working together will maximize our positive impact on the lives of patients with brain tumors and their families.”
Dr. Costello’s project, “Evolution of a hypomethylated and hyperproliferative phenotype in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and its reversal by a high methyl-donor diet” is a cutting-edge in vivo exploration of how replenishing DNA methylation (the normal enzyme-mediated addition of methyl-groups to DNA, managed through diet) can affect GBM tumor growth.
“This grant provides me with an exceptional opportunity to conduct this study which, if successful, could lead to a novel and quickly available dietary approach for replenishing global DNA methylation in order to control tumor growth,” said Dr. Costello.
About the Research
Tumor cell growth is believed to be due to deregulation of genes through genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. Epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation include DNA methylation. Dr. Costello and his team have discovered a connection between severe loss of DNA methylation and excessive cell growth in human glioblastomas (GBM). The connection appears to involve the abnormal activation of a small set of genes that are normally kept silent by methylation, and when activated might cause increased growth. To evaluate this connection, and to make use of it therapeutically, he will determine whether the abnormal methylation actually causes the gene activation which, in turn, causes the cell growth.
To determine if loss of methylation causes increased cell growth, Dr. Costello will use a GBM xenograft model in which the live human GBM is obtained from the patient during surgery. It is believed that diets high in methyl-contributors can increase DNA methylation levels. This study will determine if replenishing methylation can help control tumor growth.
“Advancements in personalized medicine are on the leading edge of how we understand and treat cancer,” said Carr. “Dr. Costello’s laboratory study will provide new insights into the mechanisms of how brain tumors grow and, it is hoped, lead to a new treatment options for patients in the near future.”
About Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure
Upon his diagnosis with brain cancer, Dan Case worked to mobilize change. Dan, his brother Steve Case, and their families, along with leading scientists and entrepreneurs formed a not-for-profit organization, Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure, to fill the desperate need for new and effective treatments and hasten the discovery of a cure for brain cancer. The organization works to raise awareness about brain cancer and promotes advancements in critical scientific research through research grants and partnerships.
Additional information can be found at http://www.abc2.org.
About The Tug McGraw Foundation
The Tug McGraw Foundation was established by Tug McGraw in 2003 to raise funds to enhance the quality of life of children and adults with brain tumors, and their families, by stimulating and facilitating research that addresses the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual impact of the disease.
Additional information can be found at http://www.tugmcgraw.org
Brain Cancer Cure
The Tug McGraw Foundation; Accelerate
CONTACT: Bill Peatman of The Tug McGraw Foundation, +1-707-255-5555, ext.106, bpeatman@newlevelgroup.com; or Laura Feinberg of ABC2,+1-202-419-3140, laura.feinberg@abc2.org
