Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) and Hemangiopericytoma (HPC), once considered separate entities, were recently merged into one disease type based on their identical appearance and characteristics. This cancer may develop virtually anywhere in the body, and fifteen to twenty percent of patients progress with either local recurrence or distant metastases. What drives this malignancy to spread is not well-understood, as no recurrent genetic defects have been identified to date. As a result, we have no effective therapies to target the cancer's fingerprint -- and unfortunately, long-term prognosis for patients with advanced disease remains poor.
Thanks to a generous gift from the Alan Rosenthal Fund for Research in Sarcoma, we studied the genetic expression of twenty-three SFT banked tumor samples from various sites throughout the body. Next, we conducted a detailed pilot study on six matched tumor/normal samples selected from the initial twenty-three. We discovered five critical points:
Ultimately, our research team's mission is to pinpoint the drivers of SFT and HPC, so that new, more effective, least-invasive therapies can bring patients better length and quality of life. This work is highest priority: few therapeutic options exist, and those available offer little in the way of sustained remission. Philanthropy has been vital to our efforts: the support of the Alan Rosenthal Fund for Research in Sarcoma has allowed us the freedom to move quickly on leads, and to test promising theories as they arise. We remain grateful for your kind support.
Please join us in support of this important research, as you will be providing the means for Dr.Mary Louise Keohan and her team to conduct pioneering cancer research.
To be sure your gift goes directly to Hemangiopericytoma research, make certain that you address your gift to the Alan Rosenthal Research Fund.
All gifts regardless of size really do make a difference. MSK is a tax exempt organization........a 501(c)(3)