MARF's Third Round of Mesothelioma Research Funding Attracts Superb International Field

Thu Oct 17, 8:11 AM ET

SOURCE: Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation

To: Medical and Science reporters

Contact: Christopher Hahn of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, 805-560-8942 or c-hahn@marf.org; Web site: http://www.marf.org

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Oct. 17 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF), the national nonprofit organization whose mission is to eradicate mesothelioma as a life-ending disease, issued a message of hope today for all who struggle against the deadly asbestos-related cancer.

Ten research proposals have been submitted for this year's round of MARF research grants, from investigators in the U.S. and around the world (Scotland, Italy and Australia). Mesothelioma experts from MARF's Science Advisory Board are currently reviewing and ranking the applications, and final decisions will be announced within six weeks. "MARF's experts will have the last word on the merit of the applications," says Executive Director Christopher Hahn, "and the good news is MARF will have an excellent field to choose from. All ten of the proposed projects are superb examples of the type of research that MARF seeks to foster in order to eradicate this disease."

Several of the proposed studies focus on promising anti-mesothelioma tumor drugs which have recently gained attention, in order to better understand, and optimize, what makes them effective. Others aim to develop new chemotherapies exploiting biochemical differences discovered between mesothelioma cells and normal cells. There are two studies which aim to improve treatment and outcome post-surgery in very innovative ways, a study of a virus believed lethal to mesothelioma cells, and two genetic studies to assist with diagnosis and with understanding the factors which affect prognosis in mesothelioma.

According to Hahn, the quality of the proposed projects demonstrates the vital importance of MARF's mesothelioma research funding program. "The failure to cure mesothelioma does not result from a lack of ideas or strategies. In the U.S. and worldwide, there are stellar researchers with brilliant ideas committed to mesothelioma research. What is needed primarily is the funding to advance their work."

Since it began making grants in 2000, MARF has awarded $400,000 to four promising projects. MARF has also launched the first-ever national mesothelioma database. The database will collect anonymous clinical data from mesothelioma patients' medical records, to help doctors learn more about how the various clinical factors (age, extent of tumor, etc.) and therapies affect survival outcomes.

For more information, please contact MARF Executive Director Christopher Hahn at 805-560-8942, c-hahn@marf.org, or visit the MARF website, http://www.marf.org.

** POSTED OCTOBER 17, 2002 **