News Release

Targeting the Ewing sarcoma family of tumors

The Max Cure Foundation and the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation award pediatric grant

Grant and Award Announcement

Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation

NEW YORK— The Max Cure Foundation and the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation have partnered to establish a fund in pediatric cancer research. With that goal in mind, the two Foundations are proud to announce the award of $100,000 to Erwin G. Van Meir, Ph.D., of Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. Van Meir's research aims to reprogram Ewing sarcoma using a small molecule that will target the Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) oncoprotein.

Ewing sarcoma, a type of cancer that forms in the bone or soft tissue, affects primarily young children and adolescents. Though current treatment options have prolonged five-year survival rates in patients, many face long-term affects from surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, including risk of second cancers from therapy. For patients whose disease has spread to other organs, there's a lack of effective treatment options. In addition, for some survivors, the disease can recur.

Van Meir and his colleagues propose to reprogram the ESFT cancer stem cells using a small molecule known as KCN1, which targets the oncoprotein found in the genetic signature of ESFT. Their research will identify a new class of drugs to induce cell death and stop the proliferation of Ewing sarcoma stem cells.

"Van Meir's research offers patients the real promise of a cure one day by identifying the root cause of cancer and eradicating the cancer stem cell, which falls in line with the mission of the Foundation" said Samuel Waxman, M.D., the Founder and the Scientific Director of the SWCRF.

"My grandson Max, who, on the eve of his fourth birthday was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of B-cell Lymphoma, was the inspiration for The Max Cure Foundation," said Richard Plotkin, vice chairman of The Max Cure Foundation. "As Max bravely endured two years of treatment – which ultimately led to his remission—my family went into action to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. This grant is the first of three collaborative grants we're committed to sponsoring with SWCRF so that other children will not have to experience long, painful and invasive cancer treatments."

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About the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation

The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation is an international organization dedicated to curing and preventing cancer. The Foundation is a pioneer in cancer research, focusing on uncovering the causes of cancer and reprogramming cancer cells.

We dedicate ourselves to delivering tailored, minimally toxic treatments to patients. Our mission is to eradicate cancer by bridging the gap between lab science and the patient.

Through our collaborative group of world-class scientists, the Institute Without Walls, investigators share information and tools to speed the pace of cancer research. Since its inception in 1976, the SWCRF has awarded more than $75 million to support the work of more than 175 researchers across the globe. For more information, visit waxmancancer.org.

ABOUT THE MAX CURE FOUNDATION FOR PEDIATRIC CANCER CAUSES

Formed in December 2008, The Max Cure Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation focused on conventional and innovative fundraising with a clear and focused mission to advance a cure for pediatric cancer and finding effective treatments for children with cancer through:

  • Raising funds for innovative research to improve treatments and quality of life during and post treatment
  • Building public awareness of the fight to cure pediatric cancer
  • Inspiring hope and courage in children with cancer, their families and communities

The Foundation was established by the Plotkin family in honor of Maxwell Grant Plotkin, who, in May 2007 at age four, was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of B-cell Lymphoma and continues to bravely fight his disease and inspire others to rise above adversity.

To date:

  • In excess of $750,000 has been contributed to the Max Cure Fund at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), formed by the Plotkin family in June 2007, whose funds are earmarked for the underwriting of the-first-of-its-kind Cell Therapy Laboratory at MSKCC.
  • $225,000 has been earmarked over a three-year period for The Max Cure Foundation/Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation Collaborative Grant to fund novel research in pediatric cancer.
  • In excess of $250,000 has been contributed to other pediatric cancer causes

For more information about The Max Cure Foundation, visit www.maxcure.org.


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