ALABAMA

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Dr. Julie Wolfson (Population Sciences) 2021-2022

• Pediatric Oncology COVID Cancer Case Report – a national registry of children with cancer

Dr. Rui Lu (Leukemia) 2020-2022

• A Transcriptional Vulnerability in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

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ARIZONA

The University of Arizona

Dr. Emmanuel Katsanis (Pediatric Cancer - Neuroblastoma) 1996-1997

• Study of a gene modified antigen, APC, which will be injected into a patient to stimulate the immune system to attach and destroy growing neuroblastoma cells
• Continuing study of new therapies for the treatment of neuroblastomas - Neuroblastoma is the most common malignant tumor in infancy and early childhood, and despite surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, more than 80% of children with advanced neuroblastoma will die of tumor progression.

Dr. Evan Hersh (Genetic Engineering) 1989-1991

• Study of why LAK cells (which were discovered at the Lautenberg Center) work better in test tubes than in the human body, by characterizing the specific molecules found on tumor cells
• Study to discover what substances the killer white blood cells recognize in order to attack the tumor cell We discovered that human lymphokine activated killer cells (LAK) produce unknown substances which kill cancer. These LAK cells are human white blood cells which have been stimulated with the protein substance Interleukin-2, which now can kill any cancer cell they contact.

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CALIFORNIA

Beauty Bus Foundation

Beauty Bus Foundation (Patient Services) 2017-2024

• Beauty Bus creates Pop-Up Salons where cancer patients, caregivers, and hospital staff receive a variety of complimentary beauty and grooming services to offer dignity, hope, and respite to families when they need it most.

California Institute of Technology

Dr. Anand Asthagiri (Breast Cancer) 2006-2008

• Elucidating molecular crosstalk involved in breast cancer development

Dr. Leroy Hood (Immunology) 1989

• Study made substantial progress in developing a novel technique of reprogramming immunologically active lymphocytes to attack tumor cells, which previously failed to get a response.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Wellness, Resilience, and Survivorship Program (Patient Services) 2020-2024

• Cancer Exercise Recovery Program, Emerging from the Haze™, Gentle Yoga for Wellness, Art Therapy, and Nutrition in Your Kitchen. All continued to be offered free-of-charge to cancer survivors receiving care at and outside of Cedars.

U-Grow Program (Researcher Services) 2023

• The U-Grow program prepares future scientists for graduate school - training the next generation of diverse cancer scientists dedicated to addressing cancer equity for all communities

Dr. Philip Koeffler (Immunology) 1991, 1993, 1995-1996

• Study to examine tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes in various childhood cancers as well as breast, prostate, colon, and lung cancer
• Study of the use of interleukin-7 and interleukin-2 for use after surgery for lung, breast, colon, and prostate cancer to stimulate the immune system to repair itself and to prevent reoccurrences of the primary cancer that may have metastatic disease *Co-funded by Concern II ‘91, ‘93, ‘95

Dr. Beth Karlan (Ovarian Cancer) 1993-1994

• Study to establish techniques to culture normal human ovarian epithelial cells and ovarian cancer cells and to characterize the differences between normal and cancerous cells
• Second year of her work on purifying and characterizing the inhibitory substance in precancerous and cancerous ovarian lesions

Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Dr. Miller Huang (Pediatric Neuroblastoma) 2024-2026

• Elucidating the mechanism of chromosome 17q gain-mediated neuroblastoma tumorigenesis

Dr. Anat Erdreich-Epstein (Pediatric Brain Tumors) 1996, 1998-2000, 2004-2006, 2010-2024

• Research to study receptor avB3 antibody and if it can disrupt angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels) and inhibit growth of pediatric neural tumors, as has already been done in breast cancer. Results from this study, funded by Concern Foundation, will lead to phase-1 clinical trials using a humanized function-blocking anti-avB3 antibody in the treatment of resistant malignant pediatric brain tumors and neuroblastoma. ~Dr. Anat Erdreich-Epstein
• Antiangiogenic manipulation of pediatric neural tumors with monoclonal antibody to integrin
• Ceramide in Integrin Signaling in Brain Tumor Angiogenesis" and 16-18 Novel Molecular Model of P1D1 Function in Pediatric Brain Tumors
• 14-16 Novel Molecular Model of P1D1 Function in Pediatric Brain Tumors *Co-funded by Terri and Jerry Kohl ‘16-’18, Mrs. Mimi Feldman ‘12-’16, & NSBN ‘14-’16

Summer Oncology Research Fellowship Program 2012-2024

Dr. Aaron Goldberg (Car T-cells) 2024

• Evaluation of a Novel Cellular Therapy for Children and Young Adolescents with High-Grade Glioma Brain Tumors

Dr. JinSeok Park (Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma) 2022-2024

• Flip-flopping of Fusion-positive Rhabdomyosarcoma Leading to Metastatic Invasion

Hope for Henry 2022

• Hope for Henry Super Rewards for Super Kids pilot program launched at CHLA

Dr. Chintan Parekh (Leukemia and Covid-19 in Cancer Patients) 2016-2018, 2020-2021

• Role of the long noncoding RNA DANCR in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• Clinical Course and Immune Responses in COVID-19 in Children and Young Adults with Cancer

Dr. Muller Fabbri (Pediatric Neuroblastoma) 2014-2016

• Tumor Associated Macrophages exosomic miRNAs in Neuroblastoma biology

Dr. Kathy Ruccione (Pediatric Hematologic Support) 2010-2012

• Transfusional Iron, Anthracyclines and Cardiac Outcomes among Childhood Cancer Survivors

Dr. Shahab Asgharzadeh (Pediatric Neuroblastoma) 2010-2012

• Neuroblastoma pathogenesis studies

Dr. Yong-Mi Kim (Leukemia) 2010-2012

• Survivin in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Dr. Kathleen Meeske (Basic Research) 2010-2011

• Childhood Cancer: Do Females Experience More Acute Toxicities Than Males?

Dr. Sharon H. O'Neil (Brain Tumors) 2010

• Neuropsychological Outcomes for Pediatric Patients Tested for Ependymoma

Dr. Leonid Metelitsa (Pediatric Neuroblastoma) 2003, 2004-2006

• Natural killer T and natural killer cell localization in neuroblastoma

Dr. Ellen Bolotin (Transplants and Basic Research) 1994-1995

• Study to show how the administration of IL-7, a protein normally made in the thymus gland, can completely correct the poor immune function seen after transplant.
• Ongoing research into the role of Interleukin-7 (IL-7) in the immune reconstruction of a patient after bone marrow transplantation. Use of IL-7 may also prove to be useful in the treatment of many other types of cancer as well. *Co-funded by Concern II

Dr. Punam Malik (Gene Therapy) 1993, 1995

• Research into the study of insertion of genes into blood cells and investigating the various delivery vehicles for the genes.
• Myeloid Lineage specific and developmentally regulated gene therapy using myeloid specific promoters This is the first research of stem cells of bone marrow and umbilical cord blood used for many congenital blood diseases, childhood cancer and leukemia. ~Dr. Punam Malik *Co-funded by Concern II

Dr. Kenneth Weinberg (Basic Research) 1987-1989, 1993-1995

• Use of bone marrow transplantation in the treatment of childhood malignancies
• Concern Foundation continued to provide vital support of these researchers in the areas of brain tumor, retinoblastoma, and bone marrow transplantation with the goal to develop new approaches to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of childhood cancer.
• Study of the role of IL-7 in the immune reconstruction following bone marrow transplantation.
• Study to show how the administration of IL-7, a protein normally made in the thymus gland, can completely correct the poor immune function seen after transplant.
• Study to improve the outcome of bone marrow transplants. The support of Concern II into this area has resulted in the awarding of funding from the National Institute of Health on our work into improving the function of the immune system after transplant. We have also discovered and identified a certain type of leukemia called mixed lineage leukemias, which have a poor response to conventional treatment. ~Dr. Kenneth Weinberg *Co-funded by Concern II

Dr. Donald Kohn (Leukemia) 1995

• Myeloid Lineage Specific and Developmentally-Regulated Gene Expression Using Myeloid-Specific Promoters *Funded by Concern II

Dr. Tom Lamkin (Leukemia) 1994

• Study of a devastating form of childhood leukemia called mixed lineage leukemia, focusing on how normal cells give rise to this type of leukemia and the gene that causes it.

Dr. C. Patrick Reynolds (Pediatric Neuroblastoma) 1992

• Antibody Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity for Therapy of Neuroblastoma *Funded by Concern II

Dr. Ambrose Jong (Basic Research) 1990-1992

• Establishment of a powerful tool for generating useful antibodies for basic research, clinical diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.
• The goal of this research was to develop a powerful tool for generating useful antibodies for basic research, clinical diagnosis, and treatment of cancer by designing and producing antibody molecules with optimized specificity.
• Design and production of antibody molecules with optimized specificity, which will lead to humanized antibodies for cancer immunotherapy. *Co-funded by Concern II

Dr. Gay Mariam Crooks (Blood Cancer) 1990-1991

• Gene Expression On Hematopoietic Progenitors and Mature Blood Cells *Funded by Concern II

Dr. Tehila Umiel (Leukemia) 1991

• Isolation, Milecular Identification and Induction of Differentiation of "Hybrid", B/Myeloid, Early Precursors from Normal and Leukemic Human Bone Marrow

Dr. Stuart Siegel (Pediatric Cancer) 1977-1986, 1988-1990

• Investigation of the interrelationships between genetic changes within human cells and the production of malignant tumors from human neuroblastoma cells that when combined with normal cells may be suppressed.
• Changes in cell surface antigens in human neuroblastoma cells following hybridization
• Research studies which developed human T-cell leukemia in a mouse model, allowing the group to study the treatment and biology of this disease in a manner not possible in the past. Progress was made in identifying the gene responsible for retinoblastoma and developing an antibody against a specific marker protein for this gene. Finally, research began on mismatched bone marrow transplantation for pediatric leukemia patients.
• Concern Foundation continued to provide vital support of these researchers in the areas of brain tumor, retinoblastoma, and bone marrow transplantation with the goal to develop new approaches to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of childhood cancer. *Co-funded by Concern II

Dr. Walter Laug (Immunology) 1988-1989

• Study made substantial progress in developing a novel technique of reprogramming immunologically active lymphocytes to attack tumor cells, which previously failed to get a response. *Co-funded by Concern II

Dr. Dennis Rickman (Immunology) 1987-1989

• Immunologic identification of the origin and biological behavior of cells involved in retinoblastoma, the most common eye tumor in children.
• Concern Foundation continued to provide vital support of these researchers in the areas of brain tumor, retinoblastoma, and bone marrow transplantation with the goal to develop new approaches to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of childhood cancer.
• Study of the cell biology of the retinoblastoma tumor and the hereditary properties that cause genetic transmission. Studies using the electron microscope revealed that there were areas of the retina that failed to mature in diseased retinas, and perhaps these underdeveloped regions of the retina gave rise to tumorous cells. *Co-funded by Concern II

Dr. Bela Bodey (Brain Cancer) 1989

• Study involved the use of immunologic techniques to detect small numbers of brain tumors floating freely in the cerebral spinal fluid, which enabled them to detect the presence of a tumor in this area at a much earlier point than previously possible.
• -The Concern II funded Brain Tumor Immunology Laboratory Program has just completed its initial studies of immunologic sub-typing of pediatric tumors, which now allows pathologists a way to better characterize the sometimes confusing array of tumors allowing doctors to be more focused on treatments for specific tumor types. These finding will be published in journal Cancer acknowledging Concern II as the funding source.

Dr. Floyd Gilles (Brain Cancer) 1989

• Study involved the use of immunologic techniques to detect small numbers of brain tumors floating freely in the cerebral spinal fluid, which enabled them to detect the presence of a tumor in this area at a much earlier point than previously possible.

Dr. A. Linn Murphree (Immunology) 1987-1988

• Immunologic identification of the origin and biological behavior of cells involved in retinoblastoma, the most common eye tumor in children.
• Concern Foundation continued to provide vital support of these researchers in the areas of brain tumor, retinoblastoma, and bone marrow transplantation with the goal to develop new approaches to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of childhood cancer.

Dr. Paul Zeltzer (Brain Cancer) 1986-1988

• Dr. Zeltzer becomes the head of the newly established brain tumor laboratory at CHLA, which was made possible by an endowment grant from Concern II.
• Concern Foundation continued to provide vital support of these researchers in the areas of brain tumor, retinoblastoma, and bone marrow transplantation with the goal to develop new approaches to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of childhood cancer. *Co-funded by Concern II

Dr. Robertson Parkman (Leukemia) 1983-1988

• Research studies which developed human T-cell leukemia in a mouse model, allowing the group to study the treatment and biology of this disease in a manner not possible in the past. Progress was made in identifying the gene responsible for retinoblastoma and developing an antibody against a specific marker protein for this gene. Finally, research began on mismatched bone marrow transplantation for pediatric leukemia patients.
• Study of graft vs. host disease by eliminating the T-lymphocytes that attack and kill the patients undergoing a bone marrow transplant. Bone marrow transplantation is the best available therapy for patients with relapsed leukemia. This study focused on bone marrow that was not an “exact match” as only 30% of patients ever find such a match.
• Use of bone marrow transplantation in the treatment of childhood malignancies
• Concern Foundation continued to provide vital support of these researchers in the areas of brain tumor, retinoblastoma, and bone marrow transplantation with the goal to develop new approaches to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of childhood cancer. *Co-funded by Concern II

Dr. Yves Declerck (Leukemia and General Biology) 1984-1987

• Research studies which developed human T-cell leukemia in a mouse model, allowing the group to study the treatment and biology of this disease in a manner not possible in the past. Progress was made in identifying the gene responsible for retinoblastoma and developing an antibody against a specific marker protein for this gene. Finally, research began on mismatched bone marrow transplantation for pediatric leukemia patients.
• Study of the enzyme, collagenase, thought to have a role in the formation of malignant secondary tumors. The role of interleukin 1 as a protein inhibitor was explored.
• Developing methods to inhibit the active enzymes produced by tumor cells and identify several inhibitors of collagenases. *Co-funded by Concern II

Dr. Robert Chilcote (Immunology) 1986

• Concern Foundation’s ninth consecutive year of supporting research in various aspects of immunological theories to combat childhood cancers.

1986 Concern II funds the first Brain Tumor laboratory at CHLA

Dr. William Benedict (General Biology, Brain Tumors, Leukemia) 1977-1982, 1984

• Investigation of the interrelationships between genetic changes within human cells and the production of malignant tumors from human neuroblastoma cells that when combined with normal cells may be suppressed.
• Changes in cell surface antigens in human neuroblastoma cells following hybridization
• Research studies which developed human T-cell leukemia in a mouse model, allowing the group to study the treatment and biology of this disease in a manner not possible in the past. Progress was made in identifying the gene responsible for retinoblastoma and developing an antibody against a specific marker protein for this gene. Finally, research began on mismatched bone marrow transplantation for pediatric leukemia patients.

1982 Concern II funds pediatric cancer research at CHLA

Children's Hospital Orange County

Hope for Henry 2022

• Hope for Henry Super Rewards for Super Kids pilot program launched at CHOC

City of Hope

Dr. Tijana Talisman (Pancreatic Cancer) 2023-2024

• Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Collecting plasma with pancreatic cancer and those in high risk of developing the disease

Dr. Srividya Swaminathan (B-cell Lymphoma & Leukemia) 2022-2024

• Targeting the long isoform of the prolactin receptor in B cell malignancies

Dr. Edwin R. Manuel (Pancreatic Cancer) 2022

• Disrupting Metabolic Adaptation in Pancreatic Cancer through Intratumoral Heparan Sulfate Degradatior

Dr. Vu Ngo (Lymphoma) 2020-2022

• The role of CEACAM1 in oncogenic B-cell receptor signaling in mantle cell lymphoma

Dr. Yanzhong Yang (Breast Cancer) 2018-2020

• Targeting Metabolic Pathways in Breast Cancer

Dr. Yuan Yuan (Breast Cancer) 2014, 2016-2018, 2020

• Phase I/II Study Combining Chemotherapy, AKT3 Targeted Therapy, and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Patients with Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer
• Previously Dr. Yuan focused on breast cancer cells that were found to be auxotrophic for arginine, which provides the rationale for arginine deprivation as a treatment strategy. an arginine depleting enzyme was studied extensively utilizing breast cancer cell lines. *Co-funded by The Marni Fund ‘14 and ‘20

Dr. Julie Wolfson (Population Science) 2014-2018

• Population Sciences – Secondary Cancer Development - Disparities in Adolescent & Young Adult Cancers *Co-funded by the Teller and Shapiro Family

Dr. Jeremy Jones (Prostate Cancer) 2012-2018

• Understanding the Relationship Between Low Testosterone and Prostate Cancer Risk *Co-funded by Myrna & Stan Zimmerman and the Marion Brucker Legacy Fund in ‘14-’18, and by Merryl & David Alpert, Jessica & Eric Nicastro and Julie and Derek Alpert in ‘12-’14

Dr. Jae Jung (Breast Cancer) 2015

• The overall goal of Dr. Jung’s project is to develop a treatment for metastatic breast cancer that can harness the power of our own immune system to help destroy tumor cells. By treating tumor cells in the skin with cryotherapy and a combination of immune modulators, the immune system can be “trained” to detect and kill breast cancer cells both locally and systemically. Correlative studies will evaluate the development of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, which are key prognostic markers for response to treatment and overall survival. The results from this pilot study will be used to define an immunotherapy protocol that can be used for many different types of breast cancer and will be especially effective for treating patients that are unable to receive targeted therapies or have failed traditional therapy. *Co-funded by The Marni Fund

Dr. Smita Bhatia (Population Science) 2010-2014

• Population Sciences - Secondary Cancer Development *Co-funded by Teller & Shapiro Family ‘12-’14

Dr. Ya-Huei Kuo (Leukemia) 2010-2012

• The role of ALCAM in regulation of normal and malignant hematopoiesis

Dr. Mei Kong (Breast Cancer) 2011

• Marni Levine Research Career Development Award *Co-funded by The Marni Fund

Dr. Wendong Huang (Liver Cancer) 2008-2010

• The role of the nuclear receptor FXR as a novel liver tumor suppressor

Dr. Melanie Palomares (Breast Cancer) 2007-2010

• Dr. Palomares heads a lab at City of Hope that conducts breast cancer research, focusing on cancer control and population science, as well as on outcomes research. Dr. Palomares has performed clinical trials with common substances such as grape seed extract and mushroom powder on post-menopausal women who are at high risk for developing breast cancer. *Co-funded by The Marni Fund

Dr. Wei Wen (Basic Biology) 2003

• Study to evaluate inhibiting angiogenesis and the responses to anti-angiogenesis cancer therapies

Dr. Xing Qing Pan (Immunology) 1998-2000

• Selective attack of tumor cells by a specially designed retrovirus containing GRP promoter and toxin genes

John Wayne Cancer Institute

Dr. Mepur Ravinoranath (Melanoma) 1992

• Study to understand the role of gangliosides in the biology, prognosis and therapeutic management of human melanoma.

Dr. Sara Kunnath (Melanoma) 1992

• Study to understand the role of gangliosides in the biology, prognosis and therapeutic management of human melanoma.

La Jolla Institute for Immunology

Dr. Michael Croft (Immunology) 2000-2002

• Termination of T-cell tolerance and enhancement of anti-tumor immunity by targeting Ox40 and 4-1BB

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Dr. Ruth Lupu (Breast Cancer) 1996-1997

• Study of growth factor receptor erB-2 which is found in 30% of breast cancer patients

Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center

The Center for Urological Health 2023-2024

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute

Dr. John Reed (Prostate Cancer) 2000-2002

• Research in controlling and combating prostate cancer *Co-funded by Alan Gleitsman and CaP CURE

Scripps Clinic and Research Center

Dr. Bee-Cheng Sim (Immunology) 1993-1997

• Study of how the human immune system recognizes and eliminates foreign agents
• Continuing study of T-cell recognition of foreign antigens and to design antigens that will trigger an immune response against cancer cells which seem to go undetected by the host immune cells.
• Study of how the T-cell receptor influences the T-cell development and function.
• Study of how T-cell subset function and how they recognize and interact with other surface molecules.

Dr. Syed Munir Alan (Immunology) 1992-1997

• Study to determine the precise structures of the receptor and superantigen that interact to cause activation of death of the T-cells.
• Study into the foreign antigens and T-cell receptors.
• Continuing study of soluble T-cell receptors and how they interact with antigen molecules.
• Study of the interaction of soluble receptor with antigen: MHC complexes at the molecular level.
• Continuing study of T-cell recognition of foreign antigens and to design antigens that will trigger an immune response against cancer cells which seem to go undetected by the host immune cells.

Dr. Nicholas Gascoigne (Immunology) 1990-1993

• Study to investigate the structure and function of the T-cell receptor for antigen, which recognizes foreign proteins in association with the body’s own proteins. Little is known about the structure of T-cell receptors and the molecular basis for the interaction.
• Study of the newly discovered protein called “superantigens” produced by some viruses and bacteria that have a very strong interaction with one region of the T-cell receptor molecule.
• Study to determine the precise structures of the receptor and superantigen that interact to cause activation of death of the T-cells.
• Study of the interactions involved in recognition of foreign molecules by the T-cell antigen receptor

Dr. Xiao-Kun Zhang (Basic Research) 1993

• Study of how retinoids (natural and synthetic vitamin A) benefit treatment of many different kinds of human cancer

Dr. Chuck Doyle (Immunology) 1992

• Study to determine the precise structures of the receptor and superantigen that interact to cause activation of death of the T-cells

Dr. Veronica Moreno (Immunology) 1992

• Study to determine the precise structures of the receptor and superantigen that interact to cause activation of death of the T-cells

Stanford University

Dr. Guowei Fang (Cancer Cell Biology) 2000-2002

• Cell cycle regulation of the anaphase-promoting complex

University of California, Berkeley

Dr. Carolyn Bertozzi (Prostate Cancer) 2000-2002

• Research in controlling and combating prostate cancer *Co-funded by Alan Gleitsman and CaP CURE

Dr. Sally Fairchild (Immunology) 1983

• Study of soluble regulatory molecules by human cells and molecules that modify the responses of the immune cells.

University of California, Davis

Dr. Lifeng Xu (Blood and Bone Cancers) 2012-2014

• Characterizing the Role of TIN2 in Telomerase Activation

Dr. Paramita Ghosh (Prostate Cancer) 2008-2010

• Role of Filamin A in the Treatment of Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer

Dr. Frederic Chedin (Cancer Genetics) 2006-2008 Function and Structure of Human DNA Methyltransferase 3B

Dr. Neil Hunter (Cancer Genetics) 2004-2006

• Molecular Roles of Proteins Involved in the Regulation of Homologous Recombination

University of California, Irvine

Dr. Remi Buisson (Genetic Mutations) 2020-2022

• APOBEC3A Regulation in Cancer by the DNA Damage Response

Dr. Selma Masri (Lung Cancer) 2018-2020

• Circadian Sphingosine Signaling mediates Tumor/Host Crosstalk

Dr. Olga Razorenova (Breast Cancer) 2016-2018

• Dissecting the role of CDCP1 in pro-­‐metastatic signaling

Dr. Scott Atwood (Skin Cancer) 2016-2018

• FAT1 regulates basal cell carcinoma initiation and drug resistance

Dr. Noo Li Jeon (Breast Cancer) 2002-2004

• Microfluidic chambers for investigating cancer cell metastasis in controlled microenvironments

Dr. Violet Shen (Pediatric Brain Tumors) 1988

• Molecular Oncogene Expression in Brain Tumors *Funded by Concern II

Dr. Eric Stanbridge (Basic Research) 1979

• Changes in cell surface antigens in human malignant cells following hybridization

University of California, Los Angeles

Dr. Begoña DÍaz (Immunotherapy - Lung and Colon focus) 2022-2024

• Investigating novel signaling circuits controlling PDL1 surface localization in cancer cells at The Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

Dr. Owen Witte (Prostate Cancer) 2015-2018

• Identification and Functional Characterization of Kinases Driving Prostate Cancer Metastasis to Bone *Co-funded by Myrna and Stanley Zimmerman

Dr. Amander Clark (Stem Cells) 2015-2018

• Conquering Germ Cell Tumors in Children and Young Adults *Co-funded by Wendy and Tom Nogradi and NSBN

Dr. Erina Vlashi (Breast Cancer) 2018

• Dr. Vlashi studies the effect that radiation therapy has on the metabolism of cancer cells, specifically on cancer cells that have “cancer-initiating” capability (cancer stem cells). Cancer stem cells are thought to not only maintain the growth of breast tumors but also play a major role in their resistance to current anti-cancer treatments. By understanding the changes that radiation therapy induces in the metabolic pathways that fuel the growth of these cells, Dr. Vlashi hopes to uncover vulnerabilities that can be exploited and combined with radiation therapy that would ultimately lead to significant improvement in tumor control, and perhaps cure. *Co-funded by The Marni Fund

Dr. Judith Carroll (Breast Cancer) 2016

• Dr. Carroll’s current research seeks to address current gaps in our understanding of why breast cancer survivors are at increased risk for secondary health problems and reduced life expectancy compared to similarly aged women without a history of breast cancer. This work will examine unique individual behavioral vulnerability that directly impacts biological aging, and ultimately influences the long term health and well-being of breast cancer survivors. From this research, important naturalistic and intervention studies will be developed to address behavioral factors, such as depression and sleep disturbances, with the goal of directly improving the health and well-being of breast cancer survivors.

Dr. Andrew Goldstein (Stem Cells) 2012-2014

• Stem Cell Research Award *Co-funded by Wendy and Tom Nogradi

Dr. Arnold Chin (Stem Cells) 2012-2014

• Stem Cell Research Award *Co-funded by Wendy and Tom Nogradi

Dr. Thomas Graeber (Melanoma) 2012-2014

• Signaling changes that confer resistance to BRAF-targeted melanoma therapy

Dr. Timothy Donahue (Pancreatic Cancer) 2012-2014

• Targeting The Immunosuppressive Activity of MDSC in Pancreatic Cancer

Dr. Sanaz Memarzadeh (Uterine Cancer) 2011, 2012-2014

• Potential utility of a PARP inhibitor in targeting endometrial cancers *Co-funded by The Marni Fund

Steven Bensinger (Brain Cancer) 2010-2012

• Targeting Lipid Metabolism in Cancer

Stem Cell Research Award (Broad Stem Cell Research Center) 2010-2012

Dr. Sarah Hurvitz (Breast Cancer) 2008-2011

• As a practicing physician, Dr. Hurvitz is conducting clinical trials in breast cancer treatment. Dr. Hurvitz's long-term goal is to increase the measurable cure rate for Stage IV breast cancer from 2-3 to more than 10 percent. *Co-funded by The Marni Fund

Dr. Brigitte Gomperts (Lung Cancer) 2006-2008

• The Role of Stem Cells in the Development of Lung Cancer

Dr. Ren Sun (Immunology) 2000-2002

• The function of viral cytokines of gammaherpesviruses

Dr. Renata Stripecke (Gene Therapy) 2000-2002

• Transduction of acute myeloid leukemia cells with lentriviral vectors and the assessment of autologous anti-leukemia immune responses in vivtro and in vivo

Dr. Peter Tontonoz (Prostate Cancer) 2000-2002

• Research in controlling and combating prostate cancer *Co-funded by Alan Gleitsman and CaP CURE

Dr. Alexis Thompson (Leukemia) 1997

• Study of the structure and function of B-lymphocytes once altered in leukemia cells and how this contributes to their malignant behavior.

Dr. Benjamin Bonavida (Gene Therapy and Prostate Cancer) 1995-1996

• Research has now identified a resistance factor that is produced by the prostate cancer cell that is responsible for the resistance of treatment. This study aims to find a way to modify the resistance factor so that the prostate cancer will respond to therapy.
• Currently investigating new approaches, using gene therapy, to alter the resistance genes and render the prostate cells sensitive to chemotherapy and immunotherapy for the treatment and cure of advanced prostate cancer.

Dr. Linda Baum (Immunology) 1995-1996

• Study to develop new strategies for augmenting the immune response both against tumor cells and the microorganisms which can infect cancer patients.
• Discovery of a new molecule. Galectin-1, which triggers T-cell death as well as the role they will play in T-cell survival. - Thanks to the support of Concern, we will be taking this newly discovered molecule and therapeutically block the death of T-cells, to prolong T-cell survival and thus enhance the ability of the immune system to attack tumors. ~Dr. Linda Baum

Dr. Carrie Miceli (Immunology) 1994,1996

• Study of the use of the T-cell receptor to specifically recognize abnormal tumor cells or infectious organisms to trigger one or several distinct T-cell responses.
• Study of how T-cell receptor signals contribute to T-cell function and how they can be used to manipulate immune response to eliminate tumors and better tolerate bone marrow transplantation or even develop an effective tumor vaccine.

Dr. Alexander Black (Leukemia) 1994-1996

• Study of the use of Interleukin-10 as a modulator to combat graft vs. host disease after bone marrow transplantation.
• Study to find a vaccine to fend off graft vs. leukemia disease after a patient is given a transplant of their own bone marrow. This focus is vital since there is such a high relapse rate after such a transplant.
• Study of the ability of a leukemia cell based vaccine to induce an antileukemic response after bone marrow transplant.

Dr. Randall Wada (Pediatric Neuroblastoma) 1994-1995

• Study of the role of the N-myc oncogene in the biology of neuroblastoma and to understand the mechanisms by which this gene is regulated to isolate the DNA sequences that switch the gene on and off.
• Continuing study into the mechanisms by which the N-myc gene is regulated through molecular biology of pediatric solid tumors. *Co-funded by Concern II

Dr. Arie Belldegrun (Prostate Cancer) 1993-1995

• Experiments focusing on prostate cancer to study the various effects of toxic gene products on tumor growth, aggressiveness, and survival in order to form an effective gene therapy strategy for the treatment of prostate cancer.
• Studies to target tissue specific gene therapy for prostate cancer which lead to proposed clinical trials.
• Study of PSA (prostate specific antigen) which when found in elevated levels in the blood of prostate tissue may indicate the possibility of cancer. A human gene which is responsible for the production of PSA was cloned during this research and was used for the development of more prostate-cancer-specific gene therapy targeting only prostate cancer cells.

Dr. Kathleen Sakamoto (Leukemia) 1993-1995

• Study focusing on the control of leukemia cell growth by hormones, known as hematopoietic growth factors. These hormones stimulate normal and leukemia cells to grow and divide.
• Continuing research focusing on the control of leukemia cell growth by hormones known as hematopoietic growth factors.

Dr. Shen Pang (Prostate Cancer) 1995 Study of PSA (prostate specific antigen) which when found in elevated levels in the blood of prostate tissue may indicate the possibility of cancer. A human gene which is responsible for the production of PSA was cloned during this research and was used for the development of more prostate-cancer-specific gene therapy targeting only prostate cancer cells.

Dr. Andre Nel (Immunology, AIDS) 1989, 1991, 1993

• Study to focus on the regulation of molecular events in immune cells determining immune response
• Study to develop an in-vivo model that can be used to inhibit leukemia cell growth. Development of cytokines used to develop normal T-lymphocytes which are then used to activate white blood cells to protect against cancers and other infections once “turned on”.
• Study of Kaposi’ sarcoma, the most common malignancy in patients with AIDS, and how it spreads from the skin to other organs in the body.

Dr. Christel Uittenbogaart (Leukemia and Lymphoma) 1985-1992

• Study to isolate and identify self-stimulatory growth factors for the advancement of the treatment of leukemia. These self-stimulatory growth factors induce reproduction of cells. In leukemia, the blood cells show uncontrolled growth. - This study began 5 years ago with the support of Concern Foundation to determine how the malignant cells especially leukemia cells, escapes normal growth. Since there are so many different types of leukemia, it is clear that every one does not react the same way so this study is ongoing for the development of new therapies and treatment.
• Continuing study on how malignant cells, especially the leukemia cell, escapes normal growth control, which will lead to improvement of diagnosis and new therapies for treatment.
• Study to determine why the malignant cell does not mature like a normal lymphocyte and why it escapes normal growth control. This led to studies on the effects of lymphokines on leukemia cells.
• Current research studies found a new lymphokine protein, (that stimulate growth of normal cells), Interleukin-4 that can induce the maturation of normal immune T-lymphocytes and also of leukemic T-lymphocytes.
• Concern Foundation’s contributions to tumor immunology research helped to provide resources for characterization of activation of the immune system that contribute to the development of neoplasia. This support provided information both about the function of the normal immune system as well as the system in individuals with tumors.
• For treatment purposes it is important to determine the stage of development of the leukemia cell. Research supported by Concern Foundation has enabled us to study normal and malignant immature T-lymphocytes in parallel. ~Dr. John Fahey
• Study to develop an in-vivo model that can be used to inhibit leukemia cell growth. Development of cytokines used to develop normal T-lymphocytes which are then used to activate white blood cells to protect against cancers and other infections once “turned on”.
• The study of proteins involved in normal lymphocyte development for their effect on leukemia cells. - Our results demonstrate that when leukemia cells are induced to mature, their growth slows down, which provides a new approach to the treatment of childhood leukemias using factors normally produced by the immune system. ~Dr. Cristel Uittenbogaart *Co-funded by Concern II

Dr. Paul Lehman (Immunology) 1991

• Investigation of immune cell memory and aberrant presence of antigens in tumor cells.

Dr. Victoria Chazin (Leukemia) 1991

• Study to develop an in-vivo model that can be used to inhibit leukemia cell growth. Development of cytokines used to develop normal T-lymphocytes which are then used to activate white blood cells to protect against cancers and other infections once “turned on”. *Co-funded by Concern II

Dr. Yadira Valles-Ayoub (Immunology) 1991

• Investigation of excessive mutation in relation to DNA repair in human malignancies

Dr. John Fahey (Immunology) 1972, 1974-1977, 1980, 1982-1983, 1988-1990

• Development of MER, a new immunotherapeutic agent that is now being used in clinical trials at various centers across the United States.
• Improved early diagnosis, treatment, and clinical programs concerned with the immunotherapy of bladder cancer, leukemia, breast cancer, and lung cancer.
• Study of immunological differences between tumor and normal cells concerned with leukemia and neuroblastoma in children, as well as breast and lung cancer in adults.
• Research in leukemias and lymphomas, bladder cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndromes (AIDS) with Kaposi Sarcoma.
• Primary focus on AIDS and several newly discovered immunological defects.
• Study to determine why the malignant cell does not mature like a normal lymphocyte and why it escapes normal growth control. This led to studies on the effects of lymphokines on leukemia cells.
• Current research studies found a new lymphokine protein, (that stimulate growth of normal cells), Interleukin-4 that can induce the maturation of normal immune T-lymphocytes and also of leukemic T-lymphocytes.
• Concern Foundation’s contributions to tumor immunology research helped to provide resources for characterization of activation of the immune system that contribute to the development of neoplasia. This support provided information both about the function of the normal immune system as well as the system in individuals with tumors.
• For treatment purposes it is important to determine the stage of development of the leukemia cell. Research supported by Concern Foundation has enabled us to study normal and malignant immature T-lymphocytes in parallel. ~Dr. John Fahey

Dr. Stephen Ladisch (Immunology) 1979, 1988

• Study of the mechanism of immune lymphocyte cytotoxicity with attention to changes in membrane lipids and how they influence the functions of cytotoxic lymphocytes, which is very important to determine the bodies’ natural killing mechanism of human neoplastic disease.
• Identification of Gangliosides which Enhance Tumor Formation *Co-funded by Concern II

Dr. Robert Seeger (Pediatric Neuroblastoma) 1977-1987

• Investigation of the interrelationships between genetic changes within human cells and the production of malignant tumors from human neuroblastoma cells that when combined with normal cells may be suppressed.
• Changes in cell surface antigens in human neuroblastoma cells following hybridization
• Discovered a new treatment program for Neuroblastoma using modified monoclonal antibodies, radiation, and chemotherapy.
• Initial trials of new therapies employing monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of childhood neuroblastoma.
• 60% of children with neuroblastoma have only a 10% chance for tumor-free survival with conventional therapy. New treatment developed by Dr. Seeger revealed that 45% of patients become long-term survivors if transplantion occurred before their tumor becomes highly resistant. Monoclonal anti-bodies attached to magnetic beads are used to remove tumor cells from the bone marrow in patients who do not have a bone marrow match, allowing them to use their own marrow. This procedure now makes bone marrow transplantation possible for all patients.
• Continuation of work with bone marrow transplantation by using a patient’s own bone marrow once cleansed by magnetic beads and monoclonal antibodies. *Co-funded by Concern II

Dr. Richard Gatti (Pediatric Cancer) 1983-1986

• Study of Ataxia-Telangiectasia (AT) which is found in children around two years of age. One out of every three patients with AT develop cancer. This study followed the genetic make-up of these patients’ families to locate the abnormal AT gene to gain insight into how cancer susceptibility is inherited.
• The second of a three year grant to study AT, the gene present in 38% of all children who develop cancer.
• Third year of funding to isolate the gene responsible for causing cancer in children with a rare immunodeficiency known as “AT”. *Co-funded by Concern II

Dr. Jacob Zighelboim (Ovarian Cancer) 1982-1986

• Ovarian cancer studies and new models for treatment.
• Headed the immunological research on ovarian cancer and discovery of new modes of treatment with interferons and related agents.
• Developed new therapies employing alpha interferon for use in ovarian cancer patients, as well as new monoclonal antibodies to improve the diagnosis of bladder cancer.
• Study that is part of a larger effort to examine the effects of lymphokines and monokines in the control of human cancer, with particular interest in the area of ovarian tumor cells.
• This study is part of a larger effort to examine the effects of lymphokines and monokines for use in the control of ovarian cancer.

Dr. Paul Pattengale (Lymphoma) 1984-1985

• Study of the participation of the myc oncogene in spontaneously-occurring childhood lymphomas. * Molecular and Cytogenetic Characterization of C-Myc Gene in Childhood B Cell Lymphoma *Cofunded by Concern II 1985

Dr. Janis Giorgi (Bladder Cancer) 1983

• Founding of the laboratory for immune cell and tumor evaluation using Cytometry and Monoclonal Antibodies for bladder cancer.

Dr. Daniel Eskinase (Head and Neck Cancer) 1982

Dr. Edward Messing (Bladder Cancer) 1982

Dr. Erik Bubbers (Bladder Cancer) 1982

• Bladder cancer research using molecular biology and oncogenes

Dr. Robert Schroff (Leukemia and Lymphoma) 1982

New laboratory of 6 new young investigators and 8 new faculty (Leukemia) 1980

• New modes of characterizing and diagnosing acute leukemia in children and adults and the development of hybridoma antibodies.

Dr. B. Bonavida (Lymphoma and Immunology) 1979

• Study of the mechanism of immune lymphocyte cytotoxicity with attention to changes in membrane lipids and how they influence the functions of cytotoxic lymphocytes, which is very important to determine the bodies’ natural killing mechanism of human neoplastic disease.

Dr. Chaim Brautbar (Transplants) 1979

• Study in the Histocompatibility Workshop to make initial plans for his work in the Bone Marrow Transplantation and Tissue Typing Laboratories.

Dr. Eugene Barnett (Immunology) 1979

• Studies involving cellular immune functions in cancer, human anti-bodies against various forms of nucleic acid, and immunological changes in the systemic lupus erythematosus.

Dr. Gideon Berke (Lymphoma) 1979

• Study of the mechanism of immune lymphocyte cytotoxicity with attention to changes in membrane lipids and how they influence the functions of cytotoxic lymphocytes, which is very important to determine the bodies’ natural killing mechanism of human neoplastic disease.

Dr. Jane Bottenstein (Neuroblastoma) 1979

• Study on the growth characteristics of human neuroblastoma cells in tissue culture to find the “feeder cells” that contribute to the growth of neuroblastoma and regulate their growth.

Dr. Mikael Jondal (Basic Research) 1979

• Study involving the interface of natural cytotoxic mechanisms and cancer.

Dr. Rishab Gupta (Immunology) 1979

• Studies involving cellular immune functions in cancer, human anti-bodies against various forms of nucleic acid, and immunological changes in the systemic lupus erythematosus.

Dr. Sidney Golub (Immunology) 1979

• Studies involving cellular immune functions in cancer, human anti-bodies against various forms of nucleic acid, and immunological changes in the systemic lupus erythematosus.

Dr. Stephan Targan (Lymphoma) 1979

• Study involving the interface of natural cytotoxic mechanisms and cancer.
• Study of the mechanism of immune lymphocyte cytotoxicity with attention to changes in membrane lipids and how they influence the functions of cytotoxic lymphocytes, which is very important to determine the bodies’ natural killing mechanism of human neoplastic disease.

Dr. William Clarke (Lymphoma) 1979

• Study of the mechanism of immune lymphocyte cytotoxicity with attention to changes in membrane lipids and how they influence the functions of cytotoxic lymphocytes, which is very important to determine the bodies’ natural killing mechanism of human neoplastic disease.

Tom Bradley (Lymphoma) 1979

• Study of the mechanism of immune lymphocyte cytotoxicity with attention to changes in membrane lipids and how they influence the functions of cytotoxic lymphocytes, which is very important to determine the bodies’ natural killing mechanism of human neoplastic disease.

Rick Biallek (Lymphoma) 1979

• Study of the mechanism of immune lymphocyte cytotoxicity with attention to changes in membrane lipids and how they influence the functions of cytotoxic lymphocytes, which is very important to determine the bodies’ natural killing mechanism of human neoplastic disease.

Dr. Zvi Bentwich (Immunology) 1979

• Studies involving cellular immune functions in cancer, human anti-bodies against various forms of nucleic acid, and immunological changes in the systemic lupus erythematosus.

Dr. Donald Morton (Immunology) 1971-1973

• Immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer patients whose tumors have been either surgically removed or controlled with a vaccine that “teaches” the protective mechanism in the body to recognize the remaining cancer cells as an enemy, and destroy them.
• Development of MER, a new immunotherapeutic agent that is now being used in clinical trials at various centers across the United States.

University of California, San Diego

Dr. Jack Bui (Sarcoma) 2008-2010

• Characterizing successful anti-tumor innate immune responses

Dr. Robert Rickert (Leukemia) 2004-2006

• Parallel functions for STAT3 in B-CLL and B-1 B cells

Dr. Boris Minev (Cell Biology) 1996

• Study of peptides on cell surfaces and what cancer related cancer-peptides are necessary to recognize and kill these cells

Dr. Marshall Stein (Immunology) 1980

• Immunostimulators and other biological modifiers as they relate to the use of Interferon towards melanoma cells and leukemia cells

University of California, San Francisco

Dr. Benjamin Braun (Leukemia) 2008-2010

• SHP-2 Signaling in Leukemia

Dr. Emmanuelle Passegue (Leukemia) 2006-2008

• Deregulated proliferation in leukemic stem cells

Dr. Wallace Marshall (Immunotherapy) 2006-2008

• Attacking Centrioles

Dr. David Toczyski (Leukemia) 2004-2006

• Identification of proteins that relocalize in responsive DNA damage

Dr. Osamu Tetsu (Breast Cancer) 2004-2006

• Cyclin D1 stability in cancer cells

Dr. David Stokoe (Brain Tumors) 2000-2002

• The role of the PI3K pathway in human malignant glioblastoma and its regulation by the PTEN tumor suppressor protein

Dr. William Weiss (Pediatric Cancer - Neuroblastoma) 2000-2002

• Modifiers of tumorigenesis in a mouse model for neuroblastoma

Dr. Jingwu Xie (Skin Cancer) 1998-2000

• Molecular and genetic analysis of hedgehog signaling activation by smoothened mutations of basal cell carcinomas of the skin

Dr. Nigel Killeen (Immunology) 1998-2000

• The regulation of early thymocyte differentiation and proliferation

Dr. Kevin Shannon (Leukemia) 1993-1996

• Study of the molecular genetics of childhood pre-leukemia and the genetic changes that alter normal cells to become cancerous.
• Continuing studies of the molecular genetics of childhood pre-leukemia and how the RAS gene is altered in many other types of cancer.
• Study to understand why children with the common condition, neurofibromatosis type 1, are at a high risk of leukemia
• -With the support of Concern Foundation, our research has contributed significant new information in the area of leukemia biology and the important roles of the protein called RAS and the detection of chromosome-7. Our RAS research led directly to a model system for testing new treatments and have made considerable progress in localizing a leukemia gene to a small segment of chromosome-7. This new knowledge of genes and proteins that are altered in leukemia cells will help us to develop new therapies for children and adults. ~Dr. Kevin Shannon *Co-funded by Concern II in ‘93

University of California, Santa Cruz

Dr. Manel Camps (Immunology) 2008-2010 Customizing DNA repair to reduce the side effects of temozolomide

University of San Diego

Dr. Gary Firestein (Immunology) 1991

• Study of the role of cytokines and macrophages to increase their efficiency in recognizing and destroying cancer cells

Dr. Nathan Zvaifler (Immunology) 1991

• Study of the role of cytokines and macrophages to increase their efficiency in recognizing and destroying cancer cells

University of Southern California

Dr. Evanthia Roussos Torres (Breast Cancer and Immunology) 2020-2024

• Research into ethnic differences among breast cancer patient immune responses
• Optimizing immunotherapy by reprogramming the suppressive tumor microenvironment of breast cancer *Co-funded by The Marni Fund, Kaufman & Levine Families 2020-2023 and The Minnie Riperton Fund 2022-2023

Head and Neck Center (Head and Neck Cancer) 2024

• A novel head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) immunotherapy study using both animal models and patient-derived tumor organoids

Cancer Liquid Biopsy Research (Breast Cancer) 2022 *Creation of the Breast Cancer Liquid Biopsy Database at USC Norris *Co-funded by The Marni Fund, Kaufman & Levine Families

The Adolescent Young Adult Program (AYA and Patient Services) 2010-2024

• The AYA represents a collaboration between USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Norris Cancer Hospital (USC Norris), Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), and Los Angeles County Medical Center (LAC + USC) designed to address this AYA Gap
• Patient programs and services
• Tissue Registry, Social Worker & Data Coordinator

Dr. Evanthia Roussos Torres and Daniel Flores (Breast Cancer) 2021-2022

• The effects of race on the composition of the breast tumor immune microenvironment – personalizing novel therapies for women of African American decent *Co-funded by The Minnie Riperton Fund

Dr. Adam de Smith (Breast Cancer) 2016-2018, 2019

• Second malignancies in breast cancer survivors: deciphering the genetic risk *Co-funded by The Marni Fund, Kaufman & Levine Families

Dr. Troy A. McEachron (Bone Cancer) 2017-2018

• Altering the tumor microenvironment to improve Osteosarcoma therapies

Dr. James Hu (Germ Cells) 2016-2018

• Germ Cell Tumors Study *Part of the AYA program

Dr. Victoria Cortessis (Germ Cells) 2016-2018

• Germ Cell Tumors Study *Part of the AYA program

AYA Special Project (Testicular Cancer) 2016-2018

• Pilot Testicular Cancer project for early detection/self-examinations by students in conjunction with the Los Angeles Unified School District

Dr. Jun Wang (Breast Cancer) 2018

• Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is often more aggressive and characterized by a poorer prognosis compared to hormone receptor positive breast cancer. It disproportionally affects certain racial/ethnic groups, particularly African Americans. Although tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes have been emerging as important factors for TNBC survival, there is currently a lack of studies targeting the multi-ethnic patient population. Dr. Wang focuses on investigating the association between tumor immune microenvironment characteristics, including specific tumor immune infiltrates, and TNBC survival in racially/ethnically diverse patients. *Co-funded by the Marni Fund

Dr. Kenue Shen (Breast Cancer) 2017

• Dr. Shen’s research has been focused on creating tumor-on-a-chip models to understand how tumor microenvironments influence cancer progression and therapeutic resistance, and explore more effective cancer treatments. This project involves is using microengineered tumor models to understand how tumor-stromal interactions give rise to invasive cancer phenotypes and metastatic diseases. *Co-funded by the Marni Fund

Dr. Min Yu (Breast Cancer) 2015

• The focus of Dr. Yu’s research has been to understand how breast cancers spread to other organs through blood stream and establish metastatic tumors. This research involves finding rare tumor cells in the blood circulation and identifying the unique properties of those rare tumor cells. The knowledge gained from this research can provide new insights to improve the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancers on a personalized basis. *Co-funded by the Marni Fund

Dr. Matthew Pratt (Breast, Lung, and Prostate Cancers) 2012-2014

• Cancer Metabolism and Protein Glycosylation *Co-funded by the Save the Ta-Tas Foundation

Dr. Giridharan Ramsingh (Leukemia) 2013

• Dr. Ramsingh’s research focuses on under-standing the mechanism of the origin of Therapy-Related Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). His lab has worked on the Whole Genome Sequencing of Therapy Related AML, which is a sub-type of AML that comes from complication from receiving chemother-apy or radiation therapy for other cancers. This type of AML has very poor survival rate.
  *Co-funded by the Marni Fund

Dr. Julie Eileen Lang (Breast Cancer) 2013

• Dr. Lang studies the molecular profiling of circulating tumor cells in breast cancer. She has developed a novel strategy to isolate rare cancer cells in the bloodstream that are shed by a primary tumor. Her research will study if profiling circulating tumor cells can lead to personalized cancer care. *Co-funded by the Marni Fund

Dr. Christina Curtis (Breast Cancer) 2012

• Dr. Curtis’s laboratory researches data-driven modeling in combination with computationally driven experimentation to analyze the genetic and molecular processes of cancer. Specifically, her research exploits high-dimensional genomic data and population genetic approaches, and an area of concentration has been the molecular profiling of breast cancer. Dr. Curtis and her team are developing techniques for the systems-level analysis of genotype-phenotype associations, integrating multiple data types derived from sequencing and array-based technologies to understand mechanisms of tumor formation, interrogate intra-tumor heterogeneity and trace stem cell lineages using single-cell genomic assays, and describe mechanisms of cancer progression and therapeutic resistance *Co-funded by the Marni Fund

Dr. Susan Ramus (Ovarian and Breast Cancers) 2012

• Dr. Ramus’ laboratory aims to identify inherited changes that increase risk of ovarian cancer. Changes in high-risk genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 cause both breast and ovarian cancer. Her group is also studying thousands of ovarian tumors to detect patterns of changes that may predict how well patients respond to current treatments. *Co-funded by the Marni Fund

Dr. Christopher Haiman (Breast and Prostate Cancers) 2008-2011

• Dr. Haiman's research is focused on understanding genetic susceptibility to breast and prostate cancers in minority populations. *Co-funded by the Marni Fund

Dr. Robert Ladner (Colon Cancer) 2006-2008

• dUTPase as a Target for Drug Development

Dr. Young Kwon Hong (Kaposi's Sarcoma) 2006-2008

• Lymphatic reprogramming of vascular endothelial cells by KSHV

Dr. Alexandra Levine (Cancer Relapse) 2003

• A phase 1 study on VEGF-antisense oligonucleotide in the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory malignancies

Dr. Ebrahim Zandi (Colon Cancer) 2000-2002

• The role of NFkB and IkB kinases in colon cancer development

Dr. Peter Brooks (Tumor Angiogenesis) 1998-2000

• The role of endothelial cell-cell contact in the regulation of integrin implications for tumor angiogenesis

Dr. Malcolm Mitchell (Immunology and Basic Research) 1979-1992

• Study of natural “killer cells” and how they can prevent cancer from arising in a patient. Study uncovered three different types of “killer cells” and how each one affects a person’s immune system from reacting to the cancer.
• Immunostimulators and other biological modifiers as they relate to the use of Interferon towards melanoma cells and leukemia cells.
• How suppressor cells regulate immunity and how to manipulate those suppressor cells to the advantage of the patient’s own ability to fight cancer.
• Discovery related to interferon therapy and the fact that “more is not better”, but rather worse since high doses of interferon suppresses a number of positive responses needed by the body’s immune system.
• Development of anti-melanoma antibodies to treat melanoma immunologically.
• The development of human monoclonal antibodies against melanoma and against cancer of the colon, which can distinguish the differences between cancer cells and normal cells in biopsy.
• Development of monoclonal antibodies to melanoma and to colon cancer for diagnosis, detection, and treatment of cancer.
• Continuing study to develop a vaccine against melanoma cell growth, which is now showing a significant decrease in 30% of patients.
• Studies have led to recently completed testing of 45 melanoma patients which aims to kill or disrupt melanoma cells from spreading or growing. Of those testes 20% show a remission of their disease, and in one patient a complete remission is continuing for the past two years.
• Concern Foundation support has enabled us to mount the clinical trial and more importantly the funding of the laboratory to support those trials. We have learned that an increase in killer T-cells is necessary to achieve a clinical response and our strategies are now aimed at optimizing the increase in those specific anti-tumor t-lymphocytes as we get closer to perfecting a melanoma vaccine. ~Dr. Malcolm Mitchell
• Thanks to the support of Concern Foundation, we have developed a clinically useful melanoma vaccine called Melacine which is successfully causing remission in 25% of patients with melanoma. We have also discovered that unusual white blood cells (killer T-cells) are generated in patients and can kill melanoma cells in different patients other than themselves. This now shows that there are features in common to all melanoma cells, which reinforces our belief we should be able to immunize a very large number of patients with Melacine. ~Dr. Malcolm Mitchell
• With Concern’s funding and support, we have found that the best responders all share one or more of four important genes controlling gene antigens. These tissue antigens determine how well the immune system recognizes the melanoma cells. ~Dr. Malcolm Mitchell
• With the support of Concern, we have isolated a gene called “gene 50” which encodes a melanoma antigen. The gene 50 protein product stimulates helper cells from most patients who have been treated with melanoma theraccine, our newly developed therapeutic melanoma vaccine. ~Dr. Malcolm Mitchell
• We were able to develop a vaccine treatment very much like the one we are using in people, that prevented the development of melanoma in the mouse’s brain in two-thirds of the animals treated, which is a remarkable discovery since melanoma is very poorly recognized by the mouse’s immune system. This model gives us hope of addressing the very difficult problem of brain metastasis in people. The funds for this development and breakthrough came only from the Concern Foundation. ~Dr. Malcolm Mitchell

Dr. Richard Chilcotes (Pediatric Cancer) 1985 *Funded by Concern II

Dr. James C.D. Hengst (Immunology) 1980-1982

• How suppressor cells regulate immunity and how to manipulate those suppressor cells to the advantage of the patient’s own ability to fight cancer.
• Discovery related to interferon therapy and the fact that “more is not better”, but rather worse since high doses of interferon suppresses a number of positive responses needed by the body’s immune system.

Dr. June Kan-Mitchell (Immunology) 1980-1982

• How suppressor cells regulate immunity and how to manipulate those suppressor cells to the advantage of the patient’s own ability to fight cancer.
• Discovery related to interferon therapy and the fact that “more is not better”, but rather worse since high doses of interferon suppresses a number of positive responses needed by the body’s immune system.

Dr. Eda Bloom (Immunology and Basic Research) 1979

• Study of natural “killer cells” and how they can prevent cancer from arising in a patient. Study uncovered three different types of “killer cells” and how each one affects a person’s immune system from reacting to the cancer.

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COLORADO

National Jewish Medical and Research Center

Dr. William Schiemann (Breast Cancer) 2004-2006

• Impact of Integrins on Breast Cancer Cell Responses to TGF-β

University of Colorado

Dr. John Corboy (Brain Tumors) 1998-2000

• Human herpes virus-8 in primary central nervous system lymphomas

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CONNECTICUT

Yale University

Dr. Stavroula Hatzios (Infection-associated Cancers) 2020-2022

• Connecting Cysteine Oxidation to Cancer Cell Signaling in Infection-associated Cancers

Dr. Matthew Strout (Lymphoma) 2012-2014

• The Role of Immune Diversification in Lymphomagenesis

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FLORIDA

University of Miami

Dr. Feng Gong (Breast Cancer) 2008-2010

• Role of the SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeling Complex in DNA Damage Response

Dr. Jie Lie (Melanoma) 2004-2006

• A novel endothelial/epithelial laminin-10 in the angiogenesis and progression of human malignant melanomas

Dr. Todd Abrams (Leukemia) 1993

• Study of Cytaneous T-cell lymphoma and its leukemic variant Sezary syndrome (which are incurable malignancies that manifest in the skin) and how these cells grow and spread.

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HAWAII

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Dr. Randall Wada (Pediatric Neuroblastoma) 1997

• Study to evaluate the use of two drugs working in combination with chemotherapy to effect the growth of neuroblastoma

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ILLINOIS

Northwestern University

Dr. Andrea Dorfleutner (Breast Cancer) 2010-2012 The role of AFAP1 in breast cancer metastasis

The University of Chicago

Dr. Piers Nash (Cancer Genetics) 2006-2008

• Control of mitogenic signaling through adaptors and deubiquitination

Dr. Barbara Kee (Immunology) 2004-2006

• Analysis of E2A function in T-lymphocyte development and the suppression of T-cell lymphoma

Dr. Suzanne Conzen (Breast Cancer) 2003

• Does glucocorticoid receptor antagonism inhibit breast cancer survival signaling and tumor growth in vivo?

Dr. Tong-Chuan He (Liver Cancer) 2000-2002

• Genetic analysis of the B-catentin/Tcf4 pathway in human liver cancer

University of Illinois at Chicago

Dr. Ekrem Emrah Er (Breast Cancer) 2022-2024

• Regulation of mechanosurveillance by K+ handling during breast cancer metastasis

Dr. John O'Bryan (Lung Cancer) 2006-2008

• Involvement of the intersectin scaffold in EGFR signaling and oncogenesis

Dr. Amy Kenter (Basic Research) 1998-2000

• Characterization of double strand breaks in IG switch recombination

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INDIANA

Purdue University

Dr. Brittany Allen-Petersen (Pancreatic Cancer) 2022-2024

• The role of PP2A in regulating PDAC methuosis

Dr. Susan Mendrysa (Brain Cancer) 2008-2010

• Crosstalk between MDM2 and Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Medulloblastoma

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KENTUCKY

University of Kentucky

Dr. Rina Plattner (Cell Biology and Gastrointestinal Cancer) 2004-2006

• PDGF Signal Transduction: A Role for Abl Family Kinases in Cell Migration

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LOUISIANA

Louisiana State University

Dr. Yan Cui (Immunology) 2002-2004

• Novel antigen-specific immunotherapy using in vivo tumor antigen loaded cells derived from lentiviral transduced hematopoietic stem cells

Tulane University

Dr. Weiping Zou (Ovarian Cancer) 2002-2004

• Plasmacytoid dendritic cells and tumor immunity

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MAINE

The Jackson Laboratory

Dr. Richard Maser (Leukemia) 2010-2012

• The Contribution of Telomere Dysfunction to Myeloid Disorders and Leukemia

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MARYLAND

Johns Hopkins University

Dr. Christoph Lengauer (Colorectal Cancer) 2000-2002

• Identification of mitotic checkpoint genes that can cause chromosomal instability in cancers

Dr. Gregory Kato (Leukemia & Molecular Genetics) 1998-2000

• Regulated Proteolysis of The E2A Proto-Oncoprotein

Dr. Linda Resar (Leukemia & Lymphoma) 1998-2000

• The role of the HMG-I/Y gene in human cancer

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc.

Dr. Andrew Snow (Leukemia) 2012-2014

• Differential signaling of oncogenic CARD11 mutants in lymphocytes

University of Maryland

Dr. Paul Shapiro (Ovarian and Breast Cancer) 2000-2002

• Cell cycle regulation by the MAP kinase pathway

Dr. Jun Hayashi (Leukemia) 1998-2000

• PCDGF expression in B-cell leukemia

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MASSACHUSETTS

Boston Biomedical Research Institute

Dr. Xingbin Ai (Immunotherapy) 2006-2008

• Inhibitors of Hedgehog autoprocessing as endodermal cancer therapeutics

Boston University

Dr. Xaralabos Varelas (Breast Cancer) 2012-2014

• Defining polarity cues that control tumor initiation and progression

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dr. Philip Kranzusch (Immunotherapy) 2018-2020

• Mechanism of human cGAS–DNA recognition and antitumor immune activation

Dr. Baochun Zhang (Lymphoma) 2016-2018

• Dual Specificity Phosphatase 2 in Diffuse Large B-­Cell Lymphomagenesis

Dr. Jill Hutchcroft (Immunology) 1994, 1996

• Experiments to show how signaling through the CD28 receptor is an excellent target for the development of drugs that strengthen or weaken specific immune responses and provide useful cancer therapies.
• Study of the receptor CD2 and the signals it picks up from unhealthy cells. If undetected, the cell may cause cancer or a disruption of the natural immune system.

Harvard University

Dr. Jennifer Guerriero (Breast Cancer Immunotherapy) 2022-2024

• Overcoming PARP inhibitor resistance by modulating tumor associated macrophages to enhance T cell activation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Dr. Lucia Rameh (Molecular Genetics) 1998-2000

• The role of the novel pathway for phosphoinositide synthesis in cell growth, death and survival

Dr. Beverly Blazar (Epstein-Barr and Lymphoma) 1982-1987

• Study of the Epstein-Barr (EBV) virus and its association to cancer. Discovery that EBV-infected cancer cells are easily destroyed by “natural killer cells” when the cell begins to produce viruses before they begin to release mature viruses and infect other cells.
• Continuation of the study of the Epstein-Barr Virus and it’s relationship to cancer as well as a recently discovered system of early host reactions against cancer and virus infected cells. Studies proved that EBV infected cells are easily destroyed by natural killer cells when the cell begins to produce a virus.
• Study to better understand the forces that activate natural anti-cancer immunity and the factors that relate to their failure.
• Study of why the cancerous change in certain lymphoid cells is accompanied by the secretion of a stimulatory growth factor, which leads to an uncontrollable growth. This is a key that may lead to the understanding of malignant transformation and may lead to advances in therapy for lymphoid cancers.
• Study of the continuing changes of certain lymphoid cells leading to uncontrolled growth of cancer. * Study demonstrating that certain hormones of lymphoid cell origin effect the growth of lymphoid tumors, with the hope to design ways to interfere and control lymphoid tumor cell multiplication. *Co-funded by Concern II ‘85

Dr. Elliott Keiff (Immunology) 1986

• Continuation of this multifaceted research in tumor immunology. This grant also involved joint research collaborations with Dr. George Klein from the Karolinska Institute.

Massachusetts General Hospital

Dr. Christian Badr (Brain Tumors) 2020-2022

• Targeting Fatty acid biosynthesis in Glioblastoma

Tufts University

Dr. Ananda Roy (Cancer Genetics) 1996

• Study of how MYC oncoproteins function in a healthy body and how certain cancers are caused by MYC

University of Massachusetts

Dr. Thomas Fazzio (Leukemia) 2012-2014

• Function of the Mbd3/NURD chromatin remodeling complex in myeloid leukemias

Dr. Heidi Tissenbaum (Melanoma) 2004-2006

• Understanding the link between RecQ helicases and cancer

Dr. Inge The (Skin Cancer and Brain Cancer) 2002-2004

• The role of the EXT tumor suppressor genes in hedgehog distribution

Dr. Lucio Castilla (Leukemia) 2002-2004

• Genetic identification of genes that synergize with CBFb-MYH11 in inversion 16 acute myeloid leukemia

Dr. Scott Wolfe (Gene Therapy) 2002-2004

• Design and selection of a drug dependent gene regulation system

Wellseley College

Dr. Beverly Blazar (Immunology) 1988

• Study to understand the forces that activate natural anti-tumor immunity and the factors that relate to their failure in certain patients

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MICHIGAN

Karmanos Cancer Institute (formerly Michigan Cancer Foundation)

Dr. Gloria Heppner (Breast Cancer and Basic Research) 1979-1980, 1982, 1985-1993

• Study of the function of lymphocytes and macrophages that infiltrate mammary tumors.
• Continuing study of the macrophage cell in the growth and metastasis of breast cancer to discover the genetic changes involved. - With Concern Foundation’s help, we are pinpointing where in metastasis different types of immune cells are involved. With this knowledge we hope to determine which steps are most likely controllable by immunological means and to design appropriate approaches to the immunoprevention of metastasis. ~Dr. Gloria Heppner
• This laboratory group has developed a series of tumor cell lines that allow them to dissect the metastatic cascade on a step-by-step basis to determine if intervention at any of these steps would halt host cancer progression.
• Study of immune regulation of mammary preneoplasia, and how hormones, known to be involved in breast cancer development, interact with the immune system during the time a preneoplastic lesion is developing into cancer.
• Studies to focus on the interface between the immune and endocrine systems both of which are known to influence breast cancer development as well as how the immune system may be directed against the metastatic spread of mammary cancer.
• Study of the immune response involved in the initial development of breast cancer, with the idea that an understanding of what happens during the earliest stages of cancer, might provide clues to prevention.
• Ongoing studies involving the immune response in the development of breast cancer.
• Study of tumor heterogeneity, the leading hindrance in the cure of solid cancer in the breast. A second study was in the area of the immunology of metastasis and how to prevent cancer from spreading.
• Study of the role of immunity in the growth and control of breast cancer, why some breast cancer cells grow faster and seem to be more aggressive than others, and why some cancer cells form colonies that spread beyond the site of the initial disease. Also studies in the area of types of host immune cells and why they remain inactive when part of the cancer mass, and what substances within the mass make these cells inactive.
• Study to measure host defense cells called natural killer (NK) cells in order to assess the prognosis of women with breast cancer. *Co-funded by Concern II ‘89 ‘90 ‘92

Dr. Wei-Zen Wei (Breast Cancer and Basic Research) 1988, 1991-1992

• This laboratory group has developed a series of tumor cell lines that allow them to dissect the metastatic cascade on a step-by-step basis to determine if intervention at any of these steps would halt host cancer progression.
• Study of immune regulation of mammary preneoplasia, and how hormones, known to be involved in breast cancer development, interact with the immune system during the time a preneoplastic lesion is developing into cancer." and "Studies to focus on the interface between the immune and endocrine systems both of which are known to influence breast cancer development as well as how the immune system may be directed against the metastatic spread of mammary cancer.
• Study of the immune response involved in the initial development of breast cancer, with the idea that an understanding of what happens during the earliest stages of cancer, might provide clues to prevention. *Co-funded by Concern II ‘91

Dr. Fred Miller (Basic Research and Breast Cancer) 1988, 1991

• This laboratory group has developed a series of tumor cell lines that allow them to dissect the metastatic cascade on a step-by-step basis to determine if intervention at any of these steps would halt host cancer progression.
• Studies to focus on the interface between the immune and endocrine systems both of which are known to influence breast cancer development as well as how the immune system may be directed against the metastatic spread of mammary cancer.

Dr. Jane Tsai (Breast Cancer) 1991

• Studies to focus on the interface between the immune and endocrine systems both of which are known to influence breast cancer development as well as how the immune system may be directed against the metastatic spread of mammary cancer.

Dr. Robert Pauley (Breast Cancer) 1991

• Studies to focus on the interface between the immune and endocrine systems both of which are known to influence breast cancer development as well as how the immune system may be directed against the metastatic spread of mammary cancer.

Dr. Stuart Ratner (Breast Cancer) 1988

• This laboratory group has developed a series of tumor cell lines that allow them to dissect the metastatic cascade on a step-by-step basis to determine if intervention at any of these steps would halt host cancer progression.

Meyer L. Prentis Cancer Center

Dr. Gloria Heppner (Cell Biology) 1984

• Study of macrophage cell type and how they affect the growth of cancer cells and the isolation of “tumor-associated macrophages” and how they influence the host-defense cells so they can be controlled to respond to cancer.

University of Michigan

Dr. Adam Courtney (Pancreatic Cancer) 2022-2024

• Regulating JAK-STAT signaling pathways to enhance T cell immunotherapy

Dr. Kyoung Eun Lee (Pancreatic Cancer) 2020-2022

• Role of Hypoxia in B cell Migration and Function in Pancreatic Cancer

Dr. Jean-Francois Rual (Brain Cancer) 2014-2016

• Aberrant epigenetic control of notch signals in medulloblastoma

Dr. Mark Chiang (Leukemia) 2014-2016

• The collaboration between NOTCH1 and ZMIZ1 in T-cell leukemia

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MINNESOTA

Mayo Clinic

Dr. Diana Gil Pages (Leukemia) 2008-2010

• T cell receptor conformation and anti-tumor T cell responses

Dr. Kay Medina (Leukemia) 2006-2008

• Understanding the Role of EBF in B lymphopoiesis and Cancer

University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Dr. Paolo Provenzano (Pancreatic Cancer) 2014-2016

• Stroma targeting therapy for pancreatic cancer

Dr. Erin Dickerson (Ovarian Cancer) 2012-2014

• Targeted Approaches for Overcoming Drug Resistance in Ovarian Cancer

Dr. Michael Farrar (Leukemia) 2002-2004

• Regulation of B-cell development by STAT-5

Dr. Kalpna Gupta (Tumor Angiogenesis) 2000-2002

• Modulation of tumor angiogenesis by opiods

Dr. Emmanuel Katsanis (Pediatric Neuroblastoma) 1995

• Study of anti-tumor immunity against neuroblastoma by gene modified antigens.

Dr. Peter Anderson (Basic Research) 1989

• Cytokines in Drug Carriers as Anti-Cancer Agents *Funded by Concern II

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MISSOURI

Washington University in St. Louis

Dr. Stephanie Markovina (Cervical Cancer) 2024-2026

• Targeting mechanisms of tumor immune evasion in cervical cancer

Dr. George Souroullas (Melanoma) 2022-2024

• Investigate the tumor suppressive role of ARID homologs in melanoma

Dr. Kian-Haut Lim (Pancreatic Cancer) 2016-2018

• Neutralizing The Innate Immune Defense Mechanism Of Pancreatic Cancer

Dr. Luis Batista (Liver Cancer) 2016-2018

• Telomerase modulation prevents end-­‐stage liver disease and cancer

Dr. Milan Chheda (Brain Cancer) 2016-2018

• Chromatin remodeling in glioblastoma

Dr. Albert Kim (Brain Cancer) 2014-2016

• Regulation of Brain Cancer Stem Cells by the Anaphase-Promoting Complex

Dr. Li Jia (Prostate Cancer) 2010-2012

• The role of enhancers at 8q24 in cancer

Dr. Qin Yang (Cancer Genetics) 2006-2008

• Roles of telomeres in the cellular response to ionizing radiation

Dr. Timothy Fleming (Breast Cancer) 2000-2002

• Mammaglobin as a marker for breast cancer detection

Dr. Rainer Brachmann (Molecular Genetics) 1998-2000

• Two novel proteins that interfere with p53 activity

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NEW JERSEY

Sharsheret

Sharsheret (Patient Services) 2021-2024

• Sharsheret, a national non-profit organization, improves the lives of Jewish women and families living with or at increased genetic risk for breast or ovarian cancer through personalized support and saves lives through educational outreach

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NEW YORK

Albany Medical College

Dr. Lisa Petti (Cell Biology and Carcinomas) 2004-2006

• Negative-Feedback Responses to PDGF Receptor Activation in Mortal Human Fibroblasts

American Friends of Hebrew University

AFHU Young Research Professorship 2019-2025

• Funding of the Young Research Professorship at the Concern Foundation Laboratories of the Lautenberg Center for Tumor Immunology and Cancer Research

Columbia University

Dr. Chao Lu (Head and Neck Cancer) 2020-2022

• Role of Histone Methyltransferase NSD1 in Squamous Cell Carcinoma Immune Evasion

Dr. Christine Richardson (Leukemia and Lymphoma) 2002-2004

• Mouse model to examine the etiology of genome rearrangements induces by DNA damage

Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation

Dr. Scott Loveless (Breast Cancer) 1979

• Study of tumor heterogeneity, the leading hindrance in the cure of solid cancer in the breast. A second study was in the area of the immunology of metastasis and how to prevent cancer from spreading.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Dr. Joseph Chan (Lung Cancer) 2024-2026

• Early transcriptional, epigenetic, and environmental factors of squamous transformation in lung cancer

Dr. Lydia Finley (Pancreatic Cancer and Cancer Metabolism) 2018-2020

• p53-driven a-ketoglutarate accumulation promotes tumor suppression

Dr. Marc Ladanyi (Pediatric Sarcomas) 1998-2000

• Development of human sarcoma (bone and soft tissue) cell lines with inducible expression of translocation-associated chimeric transcription factors by homologous recombination

New York University

Dr. Michael Pacold (Pancreatic Cancer) 2022-2024

• Discovering and Targeting CoQ10 Synthesis in Pancreatic Cancer

Dr. Hae-Ri Song (Brain Cancer) 2014-2016

• Investigating the role of NFIA-NFkB axis in glioma pathogenesis

Dr. Sergei Koralov (Basic Research) 2012-2014

• Stat3 in T cells: At the crossroads of inflammation and cancer

Dr. Eva Hernando (Melanoma) 2008-2010

• miRNA expression profiling of Melanoma Stem Cells

Dr. Susan K. Logan (Prostate Cancer) 2004-2006

• Intersection of the androgen receptor and growth factor receptor signaling pathways in prostate cancer

Dr. Ariel Ruiz-Altaba (Genetic and Pediatric Tumors) 1998-2000

• Molecular analysis of the oncogenic function of Gili for basil cell skin cancer

Dr. Alan Frey (Immunology) 1990-1991, 1993-1995

• Study to determine the manner in which cancer cells escape immune surveillance – an extremely important and unexplored area that could lead to opportunities for therapeutic treatment of cancer.
• Study of Tumor Rejection Antigens (TRA) and the activation of specific genes that encode proteins which in mutated form are commonly implicated in the pathogenesis of human cancer. These genes are known as “oncogenes”.
• New research focusing on two areas: identification of T-cell reactive antigens in breast cancer, and the modification of breast cancer-reactive T-cells to secrete anti-tumor genes.
• Study of the enhancement of the tumoricidal phenotype of human anti-breast cancer T-cells by genetic means.
• Continuing study of how to combat cancer’s new resistance to chemotherapy and radiation.

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Dr. Sergio Onate (Prostate Cancer) 2006-2008

• Coregulators Alter AR Function in Prostate Cancer

Dr. Fengzhi Li (Cell Biology and Lung Cancer) 2004-2006

• Induction of cancer cell death by surviving gene targeting
• Validation of a new approach for lung cancer treatment

Dr. Jan Vaage (Basic Research) 1985-1991

• Study of how microphages, with the support of T lymphocytes, were the primary producers of factors that inhibited the growth and spread of cancer. Research objectives were to determine how Interleukin-2 and Interferon-gamma act to increase the potency of macrophage anti-cancer activities.
• Research found evidence that immune-directed collagen deposition can be an important factor in breast cancer dormancy, and in spontaneous breast cancer regressions.
• Funding provided to continue his work on macrophages and T-lymphocytes and to better understand how they can control the growth of mammary tumors.
• Continuing Research on the Immune Direction of Mammary Cancer Fibrosis. *Co-funded Concern II ‘89 ‘91

Stony Brook University

Dr. Hyungiin Kim (General Cancer Mechanism) 2016-2018

• Mechanisms linking proteolysis to replication stress and tumorigenesis

The Rockefeller University

Dr. Milton Werner (Leukemia) 2000-2002

• Three dimensional structure and mutagenesis of AML-1

Dr. Amer Beg (Cellular Biology) 1993-1994, 1996

• Biophysical & Structural Complexes Between NFkB p50 and the BCL-3 Oncoprotein
• Study of proteins and oncoproteins and the defects that cause cell survival and growth control. *Co-funding provided by Concern II ‘93 ‘94

University of Rochester

Dr. Stephano Spano Mello (Pancreatic Cancer) 2020-2022

• Mechanisms underlying Neat1 function in preserving the identity of pancreatic cells

Weill Cornell Medicine

Dr. Elena Piskounova (Melanoma) 2020-2022

• Determining the role and regulation of de novo NADP+ synthesis in melanoma metastasis

Dr. Lukas Edward Dow (Colon Cancer) 2018-2020

• Colon Cancer: Targeting cancer-specific vulnerabilities in the WNT pathway

Dr. Zeynep Gumus (Cancer Visualization Tools) 2010-2012

• iCAVE: Visualizing biological networks in cancer research

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NORTH CAROLINA

Duke University

Dr. Michael Boyce (Cell Biology) 2014-2016

• Protein glycosylation in cancer cell signaling and metabolism

Dr. Mari Shinohara (Prostate Cancer) 2010-2012

• Osteopontin in innate immunity suppresses tumor development

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Dr. Yuliya Pylayeva-Gupta (Pancreatic Cancer) 2018-2020

• Role of IL35 in immunotherapy resistance in pancreatic cancer

Dr. Gang Greg Wang (Leukemia and Lymphoma) 2014-2016

• The role of KDM5 histone lysine demethylases in leukemia and lymphoma

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OHIO

Case Western Reserve University

Dr. Barbara Bedogni (Melanoma) 2014-2016

• Targeting a novel MT1-MMP/Notch1 interaction in melanoma

Dr. Scott Welford (Kidney Cancer) 2012-2014

• Modulation of the tumor microenvironment by the MIF Signaling Program

Dr. Zhenghe Wang (Colon Cancer) 2006-2008

• Dissecting the signaling pathway regulated by PTPN13 in colorectal cancer

Dr. Adam Goldfarb (Leukemia) 1995, 1997

• Study of a group of proteins that act as master switches of gene expression known as helix-loop-helix transcriptional factors, that play an important role in detecting the normal development of cells causing childhood leukemias known as acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL).
• Study to identify the signals received by bone marrow cells that lead to the production of platelets which are destroyed during intensive chemotherapy, yet are needed to recover from their marrow transplant.
• -Thanks to the generous support of Concern, we have discovered a substance which causes blood cells in the marrow to produce platelets called megakaryocytes. This project has generated enough exciting results that the American Cancer Society is now involved in more long term funding. ~Dr. Adam Goldfarb *Co-funded by Concern II ‘95

Dr. James Kiwanuka (Blood Cancer) 1991-1992

• Role of Leukocyte Common Antigen in the Proliferation of Malignant B Lymphoblasts *Funded by Concern II

Dr. Jeremiah Stein (Cell Biology) 1990-1991

• In Viro Rold of CSF-1 in Development of Monocytes/Macrophages and Physiologic and Transforming Potential of Cell-Surface Colony Stimulating Factor (CSF-1) In-Viro *Funded by Concern II

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Dr. Damien Reynaud (Leukemia) 2014-2016

• Systemic Metabolic Disorders and Leukemic Clonal Dominance

Dr. Geraldine Gausch (Cancer Genetics) 2010-2012

• Defining Transitional Zones Associated with Squamous Cell Carcinoma Development

Dr. Takiko Daikoku (Endometrial Cancer) 2008-2010

• A novel mouse model of endometrium-specific cancer

Dr. Tanya Kalin (Lung Cancer) 2008-2010

• Role of Foxm1 Protein in Macrophages During Lung Tumor Formation

Ohio State University

Dr. Linghua Zheng (Brain Cancer - GBM) 2024-2026

• Targeting a New Immune Checkpoint Axis (PILRα–CD8α) to Treat Glioblastoma

Dr. Samir Acharya (Colorectal Cancer) 2008-2010

• Mechanism of DNA Damage Signaling and Cell Survival by Mismatch Repair

Dr. Amanda Toland (Skin Cancer) 2006-2008

• An integrated approach to identify Aurora-A interacting genes

The University of Toledo

Dr. William Taylor (Cell Biology) 2004-2006

• Regulation of the G2/M transition by tumor suppressor p53

University of Cincinnati

Dr. Mirjam Zegers (Cancer Genetics) 2006-2008

• Rac, basement membrane assembly and epithelial cell transformation

Dr. Kathleen Gross (Breast Cancer) 2004-2006

• The APC Tumor Suppressor: Function in Breast Epithelial Cells

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OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma State University

Dr. Steven Hartson (Prostate Cancer) 2004-2006

• Hsp90as a Target for Anti-cancer Drugs

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OREGON

Oregon Health & Science University

Dr. Katelyn Byrne (Pancreatic Cancer) 2024-2026

• Reprogramming suppressive regulatory T cells in the tumor microenvironment

Dr. Megan Ruhland (Melanoma Skin Cancer) 2024-2026

• Antigen sorting by dendritic cells impacts anti-tumor immunity

Dr. Julia Maxson (Leukemia) 2020-2022

• Mechanisms of kinase inhibitor resistance in Chronic Neutrophilic Leukemia

University of Oregon

Dr. Karen Guillemin (Stomach Cancer) 2006-2008

• Analysis of the Helicobacter carcinogen, CagA, in a transgenic mouse model

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PENNSYLVANIA

Drexel University (formerly Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University)

Dr. Michael Halpern (Colon Cancer) 1994-1995

• Study to test a vaccine strategy for the immuno-prevention of colon cancer.
• Continuing study of a prophylactic vaccination against tumors of a tumor-specific antigenicity that targets the host immune response.

Lankenau Institute for Medical Research

Dr. Alexander Muller (Immunotherapy) 2006-2008

• Immunologic basis for enhanced tumorigenicity of Bin1-null cancers

Pennsylvania State University

Dr. George-Lucian Moldovan (Cancer Genetics) 2014-2016

• Preservation of genetic stability during DNA replication

Temple University

Dr. Lucia Borriello (Breast Cancer) 2024-2026

• Role of Chemotherapy in Promoting Awakening of Dormant Tumor Cells and Metastatic Relapse

Dr. Bojana Gligorijevic (Breast Cancer) 2016-2018

• Real-­Time Intravital Imaging of Cancer Cell Cycle and Motility States

The Wistar Institute

Dr. Nan Zhang (Ovarian Cancer) 2024-2026

• Myeloid cell-derived interleukin 1b promotes chemoresistance in metastatic ovarian cancer

Dr. Jumin Zhou (Leukemia and Lymphoma) 2002-2004

• Regulating enhancer-promoted interactions by a novel cis element, PTS

Dr. Peter Curtis (Genetic Engineering) 1995

• Research to engineer specialized monoclonal antibodies that will be capable of carrying and delivering DNA (the lymphokine gene) directly to the tumor cells.

Thomas Jefferson University

Dr. Sara Meyer (AML Leukemia) 2018-2020

• Deciphering Non-Coding RNA Signaling in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Dr. Jianke Zhang (Immuology) 2004-2006

• Receptor-Mediated Apoptosis in Normal and Malignant Cells

University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Irfan Asangani (Prostate Cancer) 2020-2022

• Towards understanding and targeting transcriptional addiction in advanced prostate cancer

Dr. Malay Haldar (Sarcomas) 2018-2020

• Targeting tumor-infiltrating antigen presenting cells for immunotherapy

Dr. Robert Babak Faryabi (Breast Cancer) 2018-2020

• Notch-driven Epigenetic Program of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Dr. Saar Gill (Ovarian Cancer) 2016-2018

• Chimeric AntigenReceptor-­‐redirected Macrophages for Solid Tumors

Dr. Avinash Bhandoola (Leukemia) 2002-2004

• DNA damage responses during T-cell development

Dr. David Allman (Immunology) 2003

• Ontogeny of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells

University of Pittsburgh

Dr. Farzad Ensi (Pancreatic Cancer) 2008-2010

• The role of tumor suppressor gene Vhl in pancreatic cancer and development

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RHODE ISLAND

Brown University

Dr. Steven Moss (Gastric Cancer) 2000-2002

• Helicobacter pylori and decreased p27kip-1 in gastric carcinogenesis

Dr. Gloria Heppner (Breast Cancer) 1977-1978

• Study of the immune response to tumor cells in the lung during the metastasis of breast cancer. (This was one of the first studies to investigate how to stop the spread of malignant cancer cells from one part of the body to another, known as “host-tumor” interaction.)
• Research study in the situ cancer immunity by isolating lymphoid cells found in breast cancer as well as cancer heterogeneity which may fail for many patients with solid cancers.

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SOUTH CAROLINA

Clemson University

Dr. Weiguo Cao (Cancer Genetics) 2004-2006

• Biochemical Investigation of Novel DNA Repair Activities

Medical University of South Carolina

Dr. Aaron Hobbs (Pancreatic Cancer) 2022-2024

• KRASG12R Allele-specific Metabolic Reprogramming Alters Therapeutic Sensitivity

Dr. Antonis Kourtidis (Colon Cancer) 2018-2020

• The Adherens Junctions orchestrate a tumor suppressing program via RNAi

Dr. Elizabeth Yeh (Breast Cancer) 2014-2016

• A Novel Targeted Approach for Triple-negative Breast Cancer *Co-funded by the Save The Ta-Tas Foundation

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SOUTH DAKOTA

University of South Dakota

Dr. Leo Kretzner (Neuroblastoma) 1998-2000

• Genetic targets of the N-myc oncogene in neuroblastoma cells

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TENNESSEE

Vanderbilt University

Dr. Marjan Rafat (Breast Cancer) 2020-2022

• Radiation-Induced Pre-Metastatic Niche Formation in Breast Cancer Recurrence

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TEXAS

Baylor University

Dr. Masataka Suzuki (Head and Neck Cancer) 2016-2018

• Combining Ad gene therapy with CAR Ad-­‐specific T-­‐cell therapy for HNSCC

Dr. Motonari Uesugi (Biochemistry) 2000-2002

• Specific modulators for cancer-linked transcription factors

Dr. Rainer Lanz (Cancer Genetics) 2000-2002

• A unique RNA activator as therapeutic factor in steroid-dependent cancers

The University of Texas at Austin

Dr. Ricardo Aguiar (Lymphoma) 2008-2010

• Regulation and Target Identification of MicroRNA-155 in Lymphoma

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Dr. Jennifer Carew (Ovarian Cancer) 2012-2014

• Targeting NAE: A New Strategy for Ovarian Cancer Therapy

Dr. Patricia Dahia (Cancer Genetics) 2010-2012

• Role of a novel tumor suppressor in the endomembrane system

Dr. Robert Marciniak (Cell Biology and Sarcomas) 2002-2004

• Werner syndrome and telomerase-independent telomere maintenance in human cancers

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Dr. Yang Chen (Pancreatic Cancer) 2024-2026

• Targeting collagen I homotrimer induced IL-18 as a novel therapeutic strategy in pancreatic cancer

Dr. Yejing Ge (Squamous Skin Cancer) 2024-2026

• Elucidating the molecular and cellular pathogenesis of endogenous retroviruses in skin cancer

Dr. Boyi Gan (Pancreatic Cancer) 2012-2014

• Study the impact of FoxO reactivation on pancreatic cancer treatment

Dr. Nami McCarty (Lymphoma) 2010-2012

• Targeting drug resistance of stem cell populations in mantle cell lymphoma

Dr. Candelaria Gomez-Manzano (Brain Cancer) 2010-2012

• Role of Tie2 in the resistance of gliomas to antiangiogenic therapies

Dr. Felipe Samaniego (Lymphoma and Kaposi's Sarcoma) 2002-2004

• Lymphocytes expressing human herpesvirus 8K1 show NF-KB activation

Dr. V. Byers (Colorectal Cancer) 1986

• Study of the use of Ricin A chain of immunotoxins for the treatment of colorectal cancer, proceeded to phase I clinical trials.

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Dr. Pier Paolo Scaglioni (Lung Cancer) 2008-2010

• Exploiting oncogene addiction in lung cancer therapy

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UTAH

University of Utah

Dr. Michelle Mendoza (Lung Cancer) 2022-2024

• Tenascin-C in Early Lung Cancer Invasion

Dr. Dean Tantin (Leukemia) 2012-2014

• Control of myeloid leukemia self-renewal *Co-funded by Wendy and Tom Nogradi

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VIRGINIA

University of Virginia

Dr. Andrei Khokhlatchev (Lung Cancer) 2008-2010

• Regulation of the Aurora-A kinase growth and tumor suppressor NORE1A

Dr. Mitchell Sokoloff (Prostate Cancer) 1998-2000

• Fetal gene expression in metastatic prostate cancer: utilization of oncofetal proteins as surrogate biomarkers for monitoring prostate cancer

Virginia Commonwealth University

Dr. James Lister (Melanoma) 2008-2010

• Role of MITF as a melanoma oncogene en vivo

Dr. Matthew Hartman (Breast Cancer) 2008-2010

• Development of peptide inhibitors of the BRCA1 (BRCA2) domain

Dr. Ferdynand Kos (Immunology) 1998-2000

• Regulation of cytotoxic T-cells by natural killer cells

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Dr. Deborah Kelly (Breast Cancer) 2014-2016

• Molecular Basis for BRCA1 in Transcription-Coupled Repair Mechanisms

Dr. Daniel Capelluto (Breast Cancer) 2006-2008

• Defining phosphatidylserine/Rac1 signaling in breast cancer invasiveness

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WASHINGTON

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Dr. Taran Gujral (Immunology) 2020-2022

• Targeting Developmental Circuits for Immune Re-programming

University of Washington

Dr. Anoop Patel (Brain Cancer) 2018-2020

• Modeling intratumoral heterogeneity in glioblastoma using brain organoids

Dr. Teri Brentnall (Pancreatic Cancer) 2005-2008

• Special Research Initiatives - Early Detection in Pancreatic Cancer

Washington State University

Dr. Boyang Wu (Prostate Cancer) 2018-2020

• Dissecting stromal signals to target prostate cancer microenvironment

Dr. Weihang Chai (Basic Research) 2012-2014

• Function of CST in telomere maintenance and cancer cell growth

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WASHINGTON, D.C.

Georgetown University, Vincent Lombardi Cancer Center

Dr. Weiqun Li (Leukemia) 2000-2002

• Synergistic effect on the insulin-like growth factor 1 and interleukin-4 on hematopoietic cell proliferation and transformation

Dr. Daniel Djakiew (Prostate Cancer) 1998-2000

• Role of the low affinity neurotrophin receptor as a tumor suppressor gene in human prostate cancer

Dr. Ruth Lupu (Breast Cancer)1991-1992

• Study of growth factors or ligands that trigger proliferation of breast cancer cells. By blocking activation of these ligands, cell division of these cancerous cells is blocked.
• Study to develop a diagnostic and/or prognostic assay to determine the presence and the level of circulating level of ligands in the blood of breast cancer patients.

Dr. Marc Lippman (Breast Cancer) 1989, 1991-1992

• Cell Growth Inhibition with Anti-EFG Antibodies
• Study of growth factors or ligands that trigger proliferation of breast cancer cells. By blocking activation of these ligands, cell division of these cancerous cells is blocked.
• Study to develop a diagnostic and/or prognostic assay to determine the presence and the level of circulating level of ligands in the blood of breast cancer patients. *Co-funded by Concern II

Hope for Henry Foundation

Hope for Henry Foundation (Super Rewards Program) 2021-2024

• Hope for Henry is reinventing how hospitals care for children and their families through innovative, scientifically tested programs that help hospitalized kids confront the challenges of serious illness, adhere to their medical plans, and thrive

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WEST VIRGINIA

West Virginia University

Dr. Christian Stehlik (Breast Cancer) 2006-2008

• The role of ASC in cancer

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WISCONSIN

Medical College of Wisconsin

Dr. Vera Tarakanova (Pediatric Cancer Genetics) 2010-2012

• Pathogenesis of chronic gammaherpesvirus infection in Ataxia-Telangiectasia