Great Response to Expanding Gastric Cancer Registry

May 2018

The Registry appreciated hearing from patients and families across the country in response to last month's update about its expansion and potential to help eradicate this disease. The Registry is growing and we continue to encourage even greater participation.

Hanlee Ji, MD, principal investigator of the Registry, noted that they will be implementing a new technology to detect circulating cancer DNA in the blood. This technology can be used to detect mutations specific to gastric cancer. "As we expand our patient enrollment, these studies will be feasible using some new technology that we developed and was recently published," he added. Read more.

In response to queries, the registry is sending both blood and saliva collection kits to people across the country. To learn more about the research being done and how your contributions are put to use, visit the Registry's new website.

Foundation Grants Fuel Major Research Efforts

Three important research projects to help find a cure for gastric cancer - led by our inaugural Research Scholar Mohamad El-Zaatari, PhD - are moving forward as a result of initial grant support provided by the Foundation. Your support of the Foundation's mission is making a difference.

Check out this update on his investigations. These studies provide further understanding of the role of immune cells in gastric cancer development.

Last year, after his initial investigations at the University of Michigan, Dr. El-Zaatari was awarded more than half a million dollars in Congressional funding to pursue further research.

Research Round-Up

There is promising new research to share. New findings in the New England Journal of Medicine show early gastric cancer patients who received treatment for Helicobacter pylori had lower rates of recurring gastric cancer than those who received a placebo. Read the summary here.

A long-term study analyzed the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and gastric cancer patients undergoing surgery, and found underweight patients faced generally worse outcomes. Read the summary here.

Lastly, scientists in Singapore have developed a new computer model using machine learning and artificial intelligence to pinpoint gastric cancer mutations. Researchers have already identified new mutations that may be associated with gastric cancer in "non-coding DNA" - the genes that don't encode for proteins. Read more here.

A Hot New Take on a Chili Recipe

Foundation board member, Chef Hans Rueffert, never fails to provide a novel take on a simple recipe. This time, he shares a delicious vegetarian chili that packs plenty of protein and nutrient-dense calories. And it's easy to customize for yourself - and the whole family!

In this continuing nutrition video series , Hans shares his personal experiences and some of the tasty dishes that have helped him through his 10-plus years as a gastric cancer survivor and a "chef without a stomach."

A CAUSE FOR HOPE: November 9th, 2018

Save the date! After the tremendous success of last year's sellout event, we encourage you to make plans now to join us at A CAUSE FOR HOPE on Friday, November 9th at the San Francisco Bay Area's Peninsula Golf and Country Club. The evening is a beautiful celebration of hope and progress. Funds raised at the event support our research and awareness programs. Mark your calendar and look for more details in the coming months.

Help Us Continue to Make a Difference

Thank you for joining us in the search for a cure!

You can help accelerate the pace of progress by making a donation today. Every contribution makes a difference.

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