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Newsletter President’s Message: Welcome to our first GCTF Newsletter! I am pleased to announce the GCT Foundation has tripled our earnings in 2004,thanks to our compassionate and wonderful supporters. In addition to this great news, PHIMR (our research partner), has made some exciting progress on the research front in studying the molecular pathology of GCT, hormone manipulation and signaling pathways in GCT. Their research objectives will continue next year, using the net funds we raised this year, in hopes of finding a treatment and ultimately a cure for GCT. website at http://www.gctf.org.nz to learn more about how you can help. As we approach the holiday season, and gear up for 2005 planning, we still need a lot of help. One of our goals is to research GCT from diversified strategic angles. We have many urgent objectives to accomplish in a very short period of time. We are in urgent need of monthly supporters. Additionally, we need volunteers. If you are thinking that you do not have time to volunteer, think again! There are many was to contribute that does not require a lot of time. For example, you can serve on our advisory board and lend your expertise as council. Contact the foundation at 858646-9898, to find out more information. If you have a great idea you would like to share with the foundation, please send it to [email protected]. Kim Sager Please take a moment to read the wonderful gathering of research information in the pages to follow, created by a very special and talented volunteer who has worked very hard to produce this newsletter, as well as create a completely separate GCTF Foundation in New Zealand, and the Jewels for Research Program! Please visit their On behalf of the GCT survivors, I would like to extend a very sincere thank you from the bottom of my heart, to all of you who volunteer, donate, and attend our events, as you make it possible for GCT survivors to have hope. By pulling together, we can and will make a difference in the fight against GCT and ovarian cancer as a whole. Blessings season, of hope during this holiday Founder and President Granulosa Cell Tumor of the Ovary Foundation (GCTF) Disclaimer: By gathering and providing the information on current GCT publications and clinical trials, the GCT Foundation wishes to make it clear, that the GCT Foundation is not providing medical referrals or advice, nor are they affiliated with any of these organizations in the pages to follow. This information is being provided for informational purposes only. Happy Holidays Page 1 of 3 GCT Foundation General Topics: Background on Cancer Research ASCO – American Society of Clinical Oncology Angiogenesis and Angiogenesis Inhibitors Angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels and it is an important natural process occurring in the body, both in health and in disease. Excessive angiogenesis occurs in diseases such as cancer, diabetic blindness, age-related macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and more than 70 other conditions. In these conditions, new blood vessels feed diseased tissues, destroy normal tissues, and in the case of cancer, the new vessels allow tumor cells to escape into the circulation and lodge in other organs (tumor metastases). Antiangiogenic therapies, aimed at halting new blood vessel growth, are being developed to treat these conditions. http://www.angio.org/understanding/underst anding.html The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world’s leading professional organization representing physicians who treat people with cancer. ASCO’s members set the standard for patient care worldwide, and lead the fight for more effective cancer treatments, increased funding for clinical and translational research, and cures for the many different cancers that strike millions of people around the world every year. Angiogenesis Inhibitors Like all cells, cancer cells require a constant supply of nutrients and oxygen in order to grow and divide. Without an adequate blood supply tumors will not grow. Tumors produce factors that stimulate the formation of blood vessels to provide them with the food and oxygen they need. One promising avenue of cancer research is the study of a group of compounds called angiogenesis inhibitors. These are drugs that block the development of new blood vessels. http://www.cancerquest.org/index.cfm?page =399 2004 ASCO Annual Meeting: Developmental Therapeutics Molecular Therapeutics Antiangiogenic or Antimetastatic agents http://www.asco.org/ac/1,1003,_12-00263500_18-0026-00_19-0014,00.asp Angiogenesis Inhibitors in the Treatment of Cancer http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/7_42.htm Angiogenesis Inhibitors in Clinical Trials http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/develop ments/anti-angio-table FDA Approves First Angiogenesis Inhibitor To Treat Colorectal Cancer http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/ 02/040227071334.htm 2004 ASCO Annual Meeting http://www.asco.org/ac/1,1003,_12-00263400_18-0026,00.asp 2004 ASCO Annual Meeting: Gynecologic Cancers http://www.asco.org/ac/1,1003,_12-00263500_18-0026-00_19-0035,00.asp Prodrug/Smart Bomb The Auckland Cancer Research Center in New Zealand and Proacta Therapeutics have developed a sort of smart bomb for tumors. It will only affect the tumor and not the tissue around it. Clinical trials may begin as early as 2005. GCTF in New Zealand is monitoring this activity closely. http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3130886a 13,00.html http://www.unlimited.co.nz/unlimited.nsf/0/9 E2A527ED30396D2CC256CD3007F6757? OpenDocument&More=Biotech+Feature Page 2 of 3 GCT Foundation Clinical Trials: May Include GCT Imatinib Mesylate in Treating Patients With Refractory or Relapsed Ovarian Epithelial, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer, or Ovarian Low Malignant Potential Tumor This study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the experimental drug imatinib (Gleevec, previously known as ST1571) for treating patients with advanced ovarian cancer with or without fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer. Gleevec is approved for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and has shown activity against other leukemias and stomach and intestinal tumors. Its effect on ovarian cancer is not known. This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by National Cancer Institute (NCI) http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui/show/NCT0003 9585?amp;order=798 Pilot Study of ZD1839 (Iressa, Gefitinib) in Patients with Advanced Ovarian Cancer, Fallopian Tube Cancer, Primary Peritoneal Cancer, or Cervical Cancer This study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the experimental drug ZD1839 (also known as Iressa® (Registered Trademark) or gefitinib) for treating patients with advanced ovarian or cervical cancer with or without fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer. Note: INCLUSION CRITERIA: All patients 18 years and older with biopsyproven epithelial ovarian cancer or cervical cancer that is relapsed and/or refractory to prior therapy will be eligible. Patients with cancers of the fallopian tubes, primary peritoneum, or low malignant potential with an invasive recurrence will be included in the ovarian cancer cohort. This study patients. is currently recruiting Sponsored by National Cancer Institute (NCI) http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui/show/NCT0004 6007?amp;order=1124 Paclitaxel in Treating Patients With Ovarian Stromal Cancer This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Gynecologic Oncology Group National Cancer Institute (NCI) http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui/show/NCT0000 6227?amp;order=1045 Food for Thought… ”Celebrate your life, your friends, and your family as priorities.” KS “Take time to see the ocean, the forest, and smell the flowers, as they have been given to us to enjoy and cost nothing.” KS “The measure of life, after all, is not it’s duration, but it’s donation.” Corrie Ten Boom Page 3 of 3 GCT Foundation