News Release

The Waxman Foundation announces $25,000 grant in B-cell lymphoma research

Grant and Award Announcement

Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation

NEW YORK—Scott Hiebert, Ph.D., of Vanderbilt University was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation to further his research in abnormal BCL6 overexpression, which occurs in a common B-cell lymphoma.

Hiebert and his colleagues at Vanderbilt University have obtained drugs that inhibit HDAC3—another epigenetic control element leading to abnormal gene programs, and ultimately cancer. Scientists believe that by eliminating BCL6, they can turn the genes back on and kill the cancer cells. If the researchers can inhibit HDAC3, they hope to knock out B-cell lymphoma completely.

Hiebert's research will be funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in January 2012. To ensure that his important work continues without interruption, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center will match the Waxman Foundation's award to help get Hiebert's work started before the start of his NIH grant. The Max Cure Foundation has also agreed to collaborate with the SWCRF in supporting the work.

"The Max Cure Foundation is humbled to be collaborating not only with SWCRF, but also with Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and NIH in what promises to be significant research in the area of B-cell lymphoma, the cancer that struck my grandson, Max—the inspiration for our foundation," said Richard Plotkin, the Vice Chairman of the Max Cure Foundation.

"The SWCRF is proud to join forces with such prestigious organizations to support a novel grant that will examine epigenetic therapy for B-cell lymphoma," said Samuel Waxman, M.D., the Founder and Scientific Director of the SWCRF. "Collaboration is the hallmark of the SWCRF, and we are delighted to play a role in not only fostering collaboration among scientists, but in collaborating with funding organizations as well."

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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 cancers and to find 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 cancers
  • 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 bravely to 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 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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