Discovering Bacteria's Impact on Cancer Therapy |
|
|
|
Ravid Straussman, MD, PhD
Weizmann Institute of Science
The ICRF - Mark Foundation for Cancer Research Project Grant
Tumors are very complex, comprising not only cancer cells but also many other components, including immune cells, blood vessels, fibroblasts, and nerves. The Straussman lab is looking at one of those elements – bacteria and fungi – to understand what they’re up to and how they affect tumor biology. The researchers hope to understand how the complexity of tumors affects the way patients respond to anti-cancer therapies.
|
|
|
|
The most exciting thing about our research is the fact that even though cancer has been studied for a long time, we didn't really recognize the fact that there are bacteria, fungi, and viruses inside tumors.
Dr. Ravid Straussman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Researchers Create Model Human Embryos Using Stem Cells
Several teams of researchers, including one with ICRF grant recipient Jacob Hanna, create models of embryos using stem cell technology. They hope that the "synthetic embryos" will give greater insight into embryonic development in order to provide insights into treatments for infertility and diseases.
|
|
|
|
Spotlight on ICRF Researchers |
|
|
|
Tel Aviv University
Dr. Jerry Gross Memorial Research Career Development Award
Anti-tumor immunotherapy enlists the patient’s own immune response to fight cancer. The immune response involves many different cell types, and for the immune system to remember its previous encounters with cancer and with infectious disease, a special class of cells called “memory T cells” must be activated. Dr. Madi and his team aim to identify these memory cells at the earliest stage of their development and determine the signals required for their activation, revealing potential targets for therapeutic translation.
|
|
Technion, Israel Institute of Technology
Dr. Jerry Gross Memorial Research Career Development Award
Mammalian cell morphology – or structural framework – is a key determinant of cell function, influenced by several factors. While cellular mechanics play a major role in all biological processes, current techniques to measure force vectors in biological materials and timescales are inadequate. Dr. Grolman’s team is working to develop new materials to measure the forces that cells experience in developing tumors and during the response to immunotherapy.
|
|
Weizmann Institute of Science
Project Grant
Histone chaperones are crucial to DNA-related processes and genome integrity. One chaperone, FACT, increases in tumor cells, where it correlates with tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis. Tumor cells are more dependent on FACT than normal cells, and altering FACT levels leads to corresponding changes in tumor formation, a mechanism difficult to study with current technologies. The Barkai lab established a novel approach to overcome this methodological barrier, which may benefit new drug development.
|
|
|
|
Circle of Inspiration: Champion of Hope — Dr. Yashar Hirshaut |
|
|
|
“When I first came to Sloan Kettering, all the known cancer drugs were in one small medicine cabinet. We're making tremendous discoveries and what I can do now as an oncologist is far greater than what I could do 30 years ago. There's no comparison.”
- Dr. Yashar Hirshaut
Dr. Yashar Hirshaut has dedicated his life to fighting—and winning—the battle against cancer. A renowned, now-retired oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, Dr. Hirshaut first met ICRF founder Dr. Dan Miller in the hallways of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center while working in a lymphoma clinic the year of ICRF’s founding in 1975. He was quickly drawn in, and joined in the first meetings in 1976, where “we dreamt about the future”.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fibroblasts are specialized cells found in connective tissues responsible for producing and secreting structural proteins like collagen and elastin. In cancer, these fibroblasts can undergo changes and become cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which play a critical role in the tumor microenvironment. CAFs promote tumor growth, tissue remodeling, angiogenesis, immune suppression, and contribute to treatment resistance, making them important targets for understanding and developing cancer therapies. |
|
|
|
|
|
Connecticut Tower of Hope Gala
Join us as we gather together to celebrate members of our community in support of cancer research and the hope that it brings to us in our mission to end the suffering caused by cancer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New York Tower of Hope Gala
Join us for a joyous night of entertainment, science and hope. Be inspired by our honorees as they are feted for furthering ICRF’s mission of helping to find treatments and cures for cancer patients worldwide.
Registration coming soon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chicago Tower of Hope Gala
Coming together for a cure! Join us for an entertaining and enlightening evening to celebrate science and hope. ICRF Chicago is proud to honor Jennifer McGuffin (Humanitarian Award) and Richard Herman (Leadership Award) at this year's gala.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chicago Drive Fore Research Golf Classic
ICRF and Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation are teeing up to raise money for research on early detection of pancreatic cancer at the inaugural Drive Fore Research Golf Classic at Skokie Country Club in Glencoe, IL. The event is sold out!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yoga, Canasta, Mah Jong Event in New Jersey
Join fellow ICRF supporters for a fun day of canasta, mah jong, yoga and more at Montammy Country Club in Alpine, New Jersey. The event includes breakfast, lunch, on-site vendors and the opportunity to help make an impactful difference for an important cause. Canasta lessons will be available for new players. Registration coming soon!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chicago Night of Games
Poker, mah jong, canasta and more... It's all fun and games! Enjoy a great night out while supporting cancer research. This year, it's not just for women, all are welcome!
|
|
|
|
|
Double the Impact of Your Tax-Deductible Gift |
|
|
|
|
|
Did you know that you can double the impact of your tax-deductible gift to ICRF by taking a few seconds to check if your employer will match your gift?
This means that your gift + your employer's match can = 2x the impact on groundbreaking cancer research.
|
|
|
|
|
|
With a planned gift to the Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF), you can leave a lasting gift that will make a meaningful impact on countless cancer patients and their loved ones for years to come. To learn more about including ICRF in your estate planning, please contact Alan Herman at alan.herman@icrfonline.org or call 347 218-5946. |
|
|
|
|
|
