One priority of the Broad Institute is to compile a complete molecular description of cancers. A systematic analysis of these alterations across all tumor types will enable a deeper understanding of cancer and it promises to revolutionize how cancers are classified, diagnosed, and treated. Specially, the Foundation grant will enable the lab accelerate its ability to profile the activity of cancer causing proteins and tyrosine kinase in tumor cells and to extend the profiling to new and other types of proteins.
Dr. Todd Golub: M.D., Broad Institute
A major tribute to Rachel’s memory is the Rachel Molly Markoff Chair of Research, created and funded in her name through the generous support of friends, family, companies, and foundations. Over the years, the Foundation has supported the National Brain Tumor Society in its grants to researchers dedicated to the science that provides hope for the eventual cure. These researchers include:
Dr. Fults’ project was “Somatic Cell Gene Transfer to Model Medullablastoma.”
Daniel W. Fults, M.D., University of Utah School of Medicine
Dr. Rosenfeld’s research was on “Novel Approaches to Angiogenesis Inhibition in Experimental Glioma.”
Myrna R. Rosenfeld, M.D., Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Bale’s research was on “The Hedgehog Pathway in Medullablastoma.”
Allen E. Bale, M.D., Yale University School of Medicine
Dr. Eberhart‘s laboratory was focused on understanding the molecular basis of medulloblastomas.
Charles Eberhart, M.D. Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Jensen’s lab researched the genetic engineering of T-cells that might be deployed to target high grade glioma brain tumors.
Michael C. Jensen, M.D., City of Hope National Medical Center
Dr. Scheck’s lab her current research is to identify novel genes involved in this resistance through the use of a variety of molecular biology techniques, and to identify molecular markers for the diagnosis and prognosis of gliomas and meningiomas.
Adrienne C. Scheck: Ph.D., Barrow Neurological Institute
James K. Chen: Ph.D., Stanford University
Rachel Molly Markoff Chair of Research
Dr. Chen is studying the development of next-generation chemotherapies, specifically novel Hedgehog pathway antagonists, as potential medulloblastoma therapeutics. Conventional treatments of medulloblastomas in children are associated with high rates of recurrence, metastasis, and permanent disability. Selective pathway antagonists resulting from these studies will further future investigations of the Hedgehog pathway and the development of new therapies for this deadly cancer.
