MARF's research program is designed to spur and develop more of the experimental research which can lead to breakthroughs similar to Alimta, the first drug specifically approved by the FDA for mesothelioma. Selection of the projects for funding is based on the prestigious National Cancer Institute peer review model, where scientific experts in the particular field evaluate the proposed projects on their merits, and the best projects are the ones which get funded. This is the only independent, peer-reviewed mesothelioma research funding program in the U.S.

MARF has now awarded over $1.3 million in mesothelioma research funding to exceptional projects. Its track record of consistent support for high quality mesothelioma treatment research is now stimulating more and higher quality mesothelioma research. In its first funding cycle in 2000, MARF received seven grant applications and awarded two grants. Last year MARF received 25 applications from highly regarded centers in the U.S., including Harvard, Duke, Sloan Kettering and Vanderbilt, and six other countries, and awarded grants to five stellar projects. For 2004, MARF has now received 31 grant applications.

2000

Identification of a 1p22 Tumor Suppressor Locus Frequently Deleted in Malignant Mesothelioma

Joseph R. Testa, Ph.D.
Director, Human Genetics Program
Fox Chase Cancer Center

Biologic Markers of Angiogenesis in Malignant Mesothelioma

Hedy Kindler, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology
University of Chicago

2001

Validation of Prognostic Markers in Mesothelioma

Raphael Bueno, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Division of Thoracic Surgery
Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital

Computerized Analysis of Mesothelioma on Thoracic Computed Tomography Scans

Samuel G. Armato III, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Radiology
The University of Chicago

National Mesothelioma Data/Tissue Bank Pilot Project

Dr. Robert Cameron
Chief of Thoracic Surgery
UCLA Medical School

2002

Pharmacogenetic and Pharmacogenomic Studies of Thymidylate Synthase Enhancer Region Polymorphisms in Mesothelioma and Their Therapeutic Implications in Patients Treated with Pemetrexed Sodium

Muralidhar Beeram, M.D. and Johann de Bono, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Texas Cancer Therapy and Research Center
Institute for Drug Development

Molecular Diagnosis of Mesothelioma Using DNA Methylation Signatures

Ite Laird-Offringa, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Surgery
USC/Norris Cancer Center

2003

Dendritic Cell-Based Immunotherapy of Mesothelioma

Dr. B. Lambrecht, M.D., Ph.D.
Erasmus Medical Center
Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Targeted Virotherapy for Mesothelioma

David T. Curiel, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Gene Therapy in Mesothelioma

Gavin J. Gordon, Ph.D.
Harvard Medical School/Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, MA

Radiation Sensitization Via Inhibiting Survival of Mesothelioma and its Vascular Endothelium

Bo Lu, M.D., Ph.D.,
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN

Phenotypic and Genotypic Determinants to Identify Patients at High Risk for Mesothelioma

Jill A. Ohar, M.D.
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, NC

2004

Comparison Of Adjuvant Treatments For Mesothelioma, Including Hyperthermia, COX-2 Inhibition, Cpil-4 Toxin Therapy, And Standard Chemotherapy

Dr. Robert Cameron
Chief of Thoracic Surgery
UCLA Medical School

Soluble Mesothelin/MPF Related Protein (SMR) Levels in Mesothelioma: A MARF Collaborative Study for Definition of Biomarker Classification and Use in Therapy Monitoring

Dr. Harvey Pass
Karmanos Cancer Institute

Mutant Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors as Targets in Mesothelioma

Dr. Eric Vallières
Swedish Cancer Institute