Ongoing Research Initiatives Supported: 2022-2023 / 2023-2024
We allocate a minimum of 97% of our donations to LMS projects for the fiscal year 2024-2025, consistent with our approach in 2023, and have maintained this commitment annually since 2002.
Joanna Pryzbil, PhD.
Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- Development of the Multi-Omic Liquid Biopsy Assay for the Pre-operative Diagnosis of Uterine LMS and Leiomyoma.
- Validation of the Multi-Omic panel of mutations and alterations of leiomyomas and leiomyosarcoma.
- Detecting multi-Omic markers in circulating tumor DNA.
Omics:
Defining cancer biology at many pathological and molecular levels.
Utilizing omic strategies in the realm of multi-omics involves comprehensive exploration across the genome, proteome, transcriptome, epigenome, and microbiome.
Priya Chudasama, Ph.D.
German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Maintenance Mechanisms in Leiomyosarcoma.
Clinical Significance of Activated Telomeres
Telomeres play a crucial role in enabling cells to divide without losing genes. This process is essential for the growth of new skin, blood, bone, and other cells. In the absence of telomeres, there’s a risk of chromosome ends fusing together, potentially disrupting the cell’s genetic blueprint and leading to malfunctions, cancer, or cell death.
2024-2025 Research Projects Awarded for Funding:
Maria Nucci, MD.
Chief of Perinatal Pathology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
- Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School.
Establish a cutting-edge platform for the characterization of uterine leiomyosarcoma utilizing advanced AI techniques. This involves the integration of genetic and histology markers. Delve into the intricate relationship between genetic markers, histology, and disease outcomes to develop an AI model that enhances the prediction of recurrence for uterine LMS patients.
Dr. Frederic Amant.
Professor of Gynecologic Oncology University of Leuven, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium.
- Enhancing the adaptive immune response in LMS tumors through P13K/mTOR inhibition may render them more receptive to ICB, a downstream target of the P13K/mTOR pathway. This approach holds promise as a potential predictive biomarker for response. Investigate the immunomodulatory impacts of P13K/mTOR inhibitors on the Tumor Microenvironment (TME) and their capacity to overcome primary ICB resistance in LMS.
- Integrating humanized PDX models of LMS with immune checkpoint inhibition unveils the intricate TME remodeling dynamics triggered by P13K/mTOR inhibition and/or PD-I blockade in LMS.
Five-Year Financial Commitment to the SPORE LMS Research Project, Endorsed by the NIH:
Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) find their home in the Translational Research Program (TRP), serving as a cornerstone in NCI’s collaborative research endeavors. The Foundation’s dedicated funding spans five years, fortifying its commitment to the SPORE project and contributing to successful research outcomes.
The multi-institutional SPORE offers funding opportunities for the year 2024-2025, encompassing Developmental Research Projects and Career Enhancement support. As part of the NCI SPORE program grant, led by Principal Investigators Scott Schuetze from the University of Michigan and Jonathan Fletcher from Harvard University, the Leiomyosarcoma SPORE focuses on three main projects: 1) LMS predisposition; 2) biology and targeted therapies; and 3) molecular diagnostics. The extensive scope of LMS research within this SPORE comprises:
The extensive scope of LMS research within this SPORE comprises:
- Translational research in LMS or other sarcomas with complex genomic and biologic features, such as undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, myxofibrosarcoma, dedifferentiated liposarcoma, and osteosarcoma
- Targeting cell cycle checkpoint and/or DNA damage repair deficiencies in sarcoma.
- Translational research on RB1 and TP53 in sarcoma.
- molecular diagnostics or machine learning strategies in LMS or other complex sarcomas.
Furthermore, we are committed to financing related studies stemming from clinical trials, alongside extending requested support to four distinct workgroups within the LMS International Roundtable, with a particular focus on Gynecologic Oncology.
- Cell Lines / Multi-omics.
- Clinical Trials tracking.
- Gynecological – uLMS / Stump.
- Imaging Strategies / Radiomics (for uLMS and non uLMS.)
Interdisciplinary Translational Cancer Research Excellence:
Collaboration Constructs Pathways to Advancement.
In September of this year, a groundbreaking strategic initiative was inaugurated:
- Strategic Advances in Sarcoma Science (SASS) — an annual conference as of 2023.
- organized by the SARC Discovery/Translational committee.
The gathering convened at the NIH featured presentation sessions centered on:
- Mechanistic science — defining research opportunities for interaction/collaboration –
A Think Tank approach to key challenges in the science of sarcomas with new
therapeutic challenges highlighted - Opportunities to enhance correlative science and foster sarcoma creative trials. Eight sessions were held which focused on basic science and four breakout sessions focused on translational/clinical challenges in sarcoma.
Four esteemed patient advocacy organizations were invited to champion this groundbreaking initiative, uniting young researchers to delve into collaborative scientific opportunities and address challenges in the sarcoma research landscape. Notably, the National Leiomyosarcoma Foundation was among the distinguished participants.
Exploring Opportunities Together!
Nurturing Future Realities through Advancements and Acceleration in Research, Trials, and Treatments.
