We are ending 2008 on a high note and poised for a productive 2009

Dear Friends,

As we look ahead to 2009 – the Foundation is well-positioned to continue its very productive research. I am excited to share with you three recent achievements that highlight what is best about the Foundation – exceptionally high quality research, as demonstrated by publication in the most prestigious scientific journals, and truly productive collaborations that speed progress toward a cure.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences will publish our paper on long term efficacy of the APL therapy developed by SWCRF and the Shanghai Institute of Hematology

Dr. Zhu Chen, my long time collaborator from Shanghai and presently Minister of Health in China, reports: “Very good news for our great collaboration and a Happy New Year: our joint paper on long-term efficacy and safety of ATRA/ATO based therapy in newly diagnosed APL has been accepted by PNAS yesterday.” This paper describes the remarkable impact of combining arsenic trioxide and all-trans retinoic acid, curing greater than 95% of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. This further demonstrates the importance of our long term collaboration and the benefit to mankind since this treatment will surely be adapted by the medical community worldwide.

Journal of Clinical Investigation to publish a landmark paper on liver cancer by three Institute Without Walls scientists and other collaborators

A collaboration of scientists within SWCRF’s  Institute Without Walls  (along with a non-SWCRF collaborator) has produced a breakthrough in the understanding of liver cancer.  Dr. Paul Fisher (Virginia Commonwealth University) discovered a gene which plays an important role in the development of liver cancer. Dr. Josep Llovett and others associated with the SWCRF Liver Cancer Program at Mount Sinai provided over 100 samples of various stages of human liver cancer, clearly demonstrated the abnormalities of this gene in the evolution of the disease. The collaborative paper between SWCRF scientists Paul Fisher, Josep Llovet and myself will be published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, a highly prestigious scientific journal in the United States.

 Early SWCRF support for innovative drug screening facility played a critical role in winning expansion funds from other sources; results in no-fee access to this unique facility for Institute Without Walls  scientists

Dr. Jeff Settleman, a Professor at Harvard’s Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston has received funds from the SWCRF to help develop an extensive cancer cell line Drug Screening Platform. During the past few years he has screened potential anti-cancer compounds submitted by other members of SWCRF’s Institute Without Walls. He recently received a major award from the UK’s Wellcome Trust to broaden the drug screening effort and make it part of a collaborative effort with the Sanger Institute in Cambridge, England. This is a five year project that will harness the unique strengths of each institution to bring powerful capabilities to cancer research. Jeff writes, “I am, of course, very grateful for the support I have received over the years from SWCRF, which has certainly helped to position us well to now be able to expand the program through this new collaborative venture. With that in mind, I would very much like to continue to make our cell line screening platform available to SWCRF investigators (without any further funding requests).” The importance of our nurturing role is evident in this generous offer.

Our dedicated scientists will continue their hard work and commitment in 2009, and I am looking forward with excitement to reporting on their future accomplishments.

Best Wishes,

Samuel Waxman, M.D.
Scientific Director