Research Grants Study Tumors' Blood Supply & Protein

    Among the amazing people I've encountered on twitter is Ines Hegedus-Garcia, co-president of The Miami Shores Heidi Hewes Chapter of the Womans Cancer Association of The University of Miami.

@Ines has brought to my attention this small organization that does an outstanding job of involving the community and raising funds that go directly to cancer research.

Recently she sent a link to a list of the grants that they have made and although all worthwhile, one spoke to me because it talked in real terms about someone who wonders if answering one question could be the way to stop cancers like mine from growing,

Teresa Zimmers, PhD - Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Sylvester CCC has been awarded $50,000 towards her study focusing on the base fact that tumor growth and metastasis in many cancers depends upon the ability of the tumor to elicit a new blood supply.

Since a protein GDF-2 (or BMP-9) was absent in mice that have abnormalities in blood vessels development, this study will attempt to answer the question if administering this excess protein will inhibit tumor growth by restricting blood supply to established breast, Ovarian, and cervical cancer cells in lab mice

Sounds promising doesn't it? I'd love to be able to follow what happens. In the meantime kudos to Inez and the team that is doing the outstanding work funding this research.

Read more here

Comments

[ines]

Susan - what I've learned in the past couple of years is that a lot of these research projects cannot take off without "seed money".

The WCA, with these grants, helps these projects take off and later can get real funding.

What's important for people to understand is that our organization is made up of people like you and me - who with a little effort and community involvement, are able to make a difference in the fight against cancer.

Thanks so much for your mention - you, my friend, are also an inspiration.