Download Newsletter President`s Message: Welcome to our first GCTF

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