Download Canada`s National Voice For Sarcoma Cancer Leads The Way In

Canada’s National Voice For Sarcoma Cancer Leads The Way In Supporting
Cutting-Edge Sarcoma Research in Canada
Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada’s Fellowship Chair at Mount Sinai Hospital Gaining
International Attention For Targeted Treatment Research
TORONTO, ON – March 19, 2013 – The Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada (SCFC) is
pleased to announce its support for the work being done by leading sarcoma researcher Dr.
Albiruni Razak in Toronto. Dr. Razak was appointed to the inaugural SCFC Clinical Fellowship
Chair at Mount Sinai hospital by the Foundation in 2011.
Dr. Razak is currently examining a potential new targeted treatment for sarcoma cancers.
Taken orally, this daily treatment prevents blood vessels from ‘feeding’ the tumour and
inhibits cancer cell dividing, hence stunting tumour growth. As part of the clinical research,
the goal is to treat 25 Canadian patients with late stage sarcoma. Funding from the
Foundation provides researchers with the ability to perform tumour biopsies and conduct
further scientific experiments on the biopsy samples.
“My interest in sarcoma was fueled by the fact that treatments in advanced sarcoma have not
progressed in the last twenty years,” says Dr. Albiruni Razak, MB MRCPI, Medical Oncologist at
the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Mount Sinai Hospital. “Research and drug
development are a passion of mine and through the Foundation’s financial support, I am
involved in promising clinical research that may one day lead to a cure for patients with late
stage sarcomas.”
Unlike other cancers, sarcoma has a relatively low awareness among the general public
despite the fact that these tumours often appear in younger people. Soft tissue sarcoma is a
type of tumour that affects various parts of the body, such as muscles and nerves. When
sarcomas are detected early, treatments such as surgery or radiotherapy can often cure the
condition. When the sarcomas spread to other parts of the body, it is often incurable. In this
setting, chemotherapy is the main form of treatment. Unfortunately, chemotherapy used in
sarcoma is not very effective and only about 15-20 per cent of people experience tumour
shrinkage. Given how ineffective chemotherapy can be in late stage sarcoma, new treatments
are badly needed.
The sarcoma program at Mount Sinai Hospital is the largest multi-disciplinary program of its
kind in Canada, and is recognized as a world leader in treatment and management of the
disease. The program is unique because of the inter-professional and inter-disciplinary care
that ensures patients receive all of their cancer care needs, as well as their complementary
medical, rehabilitation and psychosocial needs in one place.
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“Since the foundation was created in 2010, there have been so many important milestones to
celebrate,” says Diana Arajs, Founder and Chair of the Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada.
“The commitment and enthusiasm from our donors and volunteers has been overwhelming.
We are thrilled to support this critical research right here in Canada, while continuing projects
that have a positive impact on the lives of patients and families dealing with a sarcoma
diagnosis.”
About Dr. Albiruni Razak
Dr. Razak was trained in medical oncology at the Northern Centre for Cancer Treatment, in
Newcastle, England. He also underwent drug development fellowships under the supervision
of Prof H Calvert (England) and Prof L Siu (Canada) prior to his current post. Prior to this award,
Dr. Razak has also been the recipient of the British Lung Foundation Mick Knighton Award
(2009), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Merit Award (2011) and the ASCO Young
Investigator Award (2011).
About the Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada (SCFC)
The SCFC is Canada’s national organization dedicated to providing patient support and
education while working with Canada’s leading research institutions to eradicate the disease.
Founded in 2010, it is our mission to connect patients and their families with the best medical
information and community resources, to ease the process of dealing with a sarcoma cancer
diagnosis and treatment. Sarcoma cancer attacks the connective tissue within the body,
causing tumours within muscle, bones, nerves, fat and blood vessels. It occurs in both children
and adults. For more information, please visit www.sarcomacancer.ca.
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For more information, please contact:
The Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada
1 Yonge Street, Suite 1801
Toronto, ON M5E 1W7
416-214-7584