Grant Earmarked for Trial Drug Aimed at Treatment of Anal Cancer
LOS ANGELES, April 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Farrah Fawcett Foundation (FFF) has presented a $50,000 grant to the Brown University Oncology Research Group (BrUOG) for "BrUOG 276: A Phase II Evaluation of ADXS11-001, Mitomycin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and IMRT for Anal Cancer," it was announced by Alana Stewart, President of The FFF. The grant will allow for the continued coordination and management of this novel clinical trial, representing an important step and sign of promise in anal cancer treatment.
The grant follows on the heels of an announcement earlier this month in which The FFF in concert with Stand Up to Cancer, have formed a research team dedicated to HPV-related cancers with $1.2 million earmarked to fund this innovative project over the next three years.
The BrUOG 276 study is investigating whether the addition of the immunotherapy drug, ADXS11-001, provided by Advaxis, Inc (NASDAQ:ADXS), can be tolerated and if it will increase response rates when added to the standard care treatment of chemotherapy and radiation. While almost all anal cancers are HPV positive, Advaxis's immunotherapy drug "stimulates a person's immune system to assist in the attack of cells made cancerous by HPV," stated Howard Safran, MD, Medical Director of BrUOG and Professor of Medicine at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. After Advaxis showed promise in a Phase II cervical cancer trial, BrUOG is optimistic about the applicability of this treatment regimen in anal cancer.
"In 'Farrah's Story,'" said Stewart, who produced the Emmy nominated documentary, "Farrah asks 'why isn't there more research on certain types of cancers?' Anal cancer, which took her life, is one of those cancers. We are honored to be a part of this important research project with Brown University. This is exactly the kind of research Farrah would want to support."
The mission of the FFF is to provide funding for cutting edge cancer research, to support prevention and awareness, and to help those struggling with cancer. Farrah Fawcett was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006. She established the Foundation before her death in 2009. For information, visit www.thefarrahfawcettfoundation.org and Facebook.
For information on BrUOG, visit http://med.brown.edu/bruog
Read more at http://www.stockhouse.com/news/press-releases/2014/04/30/farrah-fawcett-foundation-announces-50-000-grant-to-brown-university-oncology#LbbcMyMhCLClLLOR.99
Article from: http://www.stockhouse.com/news/press-releases/2014/04/30/farrah-fawcett-foundation-announces-50-000-grant-to-brown-university-oncology
The Farrah Fawcett Foundation Web Site: http://www.thefarrahfawcettfoundation.org/
