UnlockingBrainTumors.org Announces Contribution of $10,000 to Vaccine-based Immunotherapy Research Study Aiming To Improve Treatment of Brain Tumors

Print a PDF Version of this UBT Press Release

HEWLETT, NY and HOLLAND, MI, June 24, 2008 - UnlockingBrainTumors.org, a Not for Profit dedicated to raising and distributing funds for the continued research into brain tumors, today announced it is contributing $10,000 to a Pilot Study to Evaluate the Effects of Vaccinations with HLA-A2-Restricted Glioma Antigen-Peptides in Combination with Poly-ICLC for Adults with WHO Grade II Gliomas Status. Grade II gliomas, a form of brain tumor, are slow-growing glioma with an intrinsic tendency to progress to aggressive malignant glioma. The study's research indicate that there are no standard radiation therapy regimens that can improve the survival and quality of life of these patients; the focus of their efforts is the development of novel immunotherapy approaches for patients with gliomas with a goal of improving the ability of the immune system to attack and destroy glioma cells. Major efforts have been focused on identifying and characterizing the key antigenic components (epitopes) in proteins that are commonly produced in glioma cells (glioma-associated antigens; GAAs), thereby allowing for the efficient and safe induction of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) against glioma cells.

"We are very pleased to contribute funding toward this important study", said Coffman. "Vaccine therapies that can help the body's immune system attack brain tumors hold tremendous promise, and significant breakthroughs in this arena seem more and more likely". The funding by UnlockingBrainTumors.org represents the latest support of brain tumor research by the organization, which has already directed significant funding toward research efforts as diverse as microbeam radiation and drug therapies. UnlockingBrainTumors.org was launched in September 2007 by Stephen Coffman, a former business leader who left the human resources marketplace after being diagnosed with cancer and was subsequently diagnosed with a brain tumor.

The Musella Foundation For Brain Tumor Research & Information is the organization's lead beneficiary. The Musella Foundation, based in Hewlett, NY and operated by Al Musella, is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life and survival times for brain tumor patients by using computer technology to track brain tumor clinical trials, streamline the flow of information, organize the brain tumor community and raise money for brain tumor research. It operates www.virtualtrials.com, and has worked tirelessly and successfully to bring attention to clinical trials, patient outcomes, research, letter writing campaigns for expanded treatment options, and a great many other contributions to the community. The Musella Foundation has filled crucial gaps in the brain tumor community through its funding innovative and creative research, with a special emphasis on research that complements, rather than duplicates, the research funded by the federal government.

# # #

For More Information, Please Contact:

For More Information, Please Contact:
www.unlockingbraintumors.org
Stephen Coffman, Project Sponsor
steve@unlockingbraintumors.org
958 South Shore Drive
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 335-9050 (office)
(312) 375-8346 (cell)