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Research & Studies

Funding novel research ideas that may lead to national

funding

Maine Cancer Foundation provides start-up funds for a new researcher or a researcher with a new idea. With one year of funding, the scientist can test a theory and produce evidence worthy of future study. Outcomes are subject to rigorous peer review then eligible for publication in a respected journal. Only then is the investigator eligible to apply for larger national funding.

Kevin Mills, Ph.D. at the Jackson Lab, Bar Harbor, was a 2008 research grant recipient. His investigation is focused on the role of DNA damage and relationship between that damage and the development of cancer. Based on evidence attained while funded by Maine Cancer Foundation, in July 2009 Dr. Mills was awarded a National Cancer Institute multi-year grant to continue.

"I am deeply appreciative to the Maine Cancer Foundation for its initial funding of this investigation. There are very few sources for start-up funds in Maine. Maine Cancer Foundation plays a key role in making a vibrant research community possible here in Maine, one that is increasingly connected globally," said Dr. Mills.

Inspiring the next generation of cancer researchers

In each research lab, students gain experience and credentials under the tutelage of a principal investigator. As Lucy Liaw, Ph.D., MMC Research Institute explains, “Maine Cancer Foundation’s support has been very meaningful to my research project on notch regulation in breast cancer. When I applied for the grant, we had compelling data but no funding to go any further.”

With MCF funding, a Ph.D. student was able to continue this work, resulting in several important findings related to suppression of breast cancer growth. Results were peer reviewed then published in the American Journal of Pathology. The student went on to defend her thesis and graduate. She then did a postdoctoral fellow in cancer biology. “Not only has MCF funding allowed this important research to continue, but it has launched the next generation of cancer researchers,” said Dr. Liaw.

Interpreting new knowledge for clinical care

For most cases of cancer the exact cause is unknown. However, about 10% of cancer diagnoses can now be traced to inherited genetic alterations. Identifying the underlying genetic basis is an important part of cancer care for the patient. Equally important is cancer prevention for the patients family members who share a cancer susceptibility gene.

Integrating genetic risk assessment into cancer medicine is becoming a standard of care but that was not the case in 1998 when Maine Cancer Foundation funded the first hereditary cancer risk assessment and prevention program in the state and one of the earliest programs of its kind in the nation.

Support from Maine Cancer Foundation allowed Karen Rasmussen, Ph.D., to establish the cancer genetics program at Maine Center for Cancer Medicine, Scarborough. Maine’s first cancer genetics program continues to serve hundreds of patients and families, reaching every county in Maine.

About Cancer Pedigrees and Familial Predisposition

It is estimated that up to 10% of cancers are caused by inherited genes. As more genes are identified, it is likely that this percentage will increase. When a person knows that he/she has inherited a cancer causing gene, steps can be taken to:

• Increase the likelihood that the cancer will be detected at its earliest most treatable form, or, in some cased,
• Attempt to prevent the onset of disease.

When cancer is present in a family, questions may arise as to whether the cancer is inherited. The first step in determining this is to create the patients cancer pedigree. A pedigree is a depiction of the patient and his/her family history of disease. It takes into account the age of onset of disease, and causes of death. Information is supplied to a cancer geneticist who created the pedigree.

Once prepared, the pedigree is analyzed and genetic risk is evaluated. If indications are high that the cancer is familial, the cancer geneticist would counsel the patient about gene testing. Gene testing would confirm the suspicion. Following a positive gene test, the medical oncologist would review with the patient all available options.