Dear friends of MARF,
As the year draws to a close, MARF has hopeful news to report
2002 MARF Grants. MARF has awarded grants of $100,000 each to two excellent new mesothelioma
research projects, which should translate directly to improved treatment.
One will use state-of-the-art technology to identify chemical patterns
in DNA that are specific for mesothelioma. This should yield a number
of benefits, including more accurate and rapid diagnosis, early detection,
increased ability to predict and follow patient response to treatment,
and eventually, identification of tumor-suppressor genes that are silenced
in mesothelioma.
The second project follows up on the success of Alimta in treating mesothelioma.
Applying the new field of pharmacogenetics, this study seeks to further
improve Alimta's effectiveness and lower its toxicity by individualizing
it to the patient's particular genetic profile. For full details on
both of these new projects, see the top heading on the MARF website homepage
< http://www.marf.org >.
Alimta Available Now. Following the announcement in May of the effectiveness of Alimta in improving
the survival of malignant mesothelioma patients, there has been continued
and growing interest in the drug. For the benefit of patients, and their
doctors, MARF has posted on the website full details on the Phase III
study establishing Alimta's effectiveness, as well as how patients
may obtain the drug
now through the Expanded Access Program established by Lilly in conjunction
with the FDA. See the second heading on the MARF website homepage <http//www.marf.org>.
MARF Annual Meeting. In mid November, the Board of Directors and Science Advisory Board met
for MARF's annual meeting -- a very productive two days of reviewing
our research and other programs and planning for next year. (By coordinating
with a separate meeting, we were able to avoid any travel or accommodations
costs to MARF). In 2003, we plan to fund more critically-needed mesothelioma
research, and continue to educate patients, family members and physicians
about the disease and treatment options. Also, we will be undertaking
a major advocacy effort. Due to a number of events, including MARF's
own awareness efforts, asbestos issues and mesothelioma are discussed
in the news and in Washington like never before. We plan to capitalize
on this attention, and push for a commitment of federal research funding
for mesothelioma proportionate to other cancers.
Support for the Mission. In the last few weeks, we have received a number of incredibly generous
gifts from patient and family-member friends of MARF. (These are being
processed now and will be posted on the MARF Sponsors page of the website
very soon.) The timing of these gifts is perfect, since we have expended
in the last 6 weeks $200,000 directly on research -- $100,000 for the
second year of the grants we awarded last year, and $100,000 for the first
year of this year's grants. We are profoundly grateful to these and
all our supporters -- it is your gifts which make possible our progress
against the disease.
Wishing you joy and the love of family and friends this holiday season,
Christopher E. Hahn
Executive Director
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
1609 Garden Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
tel (805) 560-8942
fax (805) 560-8962
< http://www.marf.org >