#USA #New York #DeGregorio Foundation #Gastroesophageal Cancer #TFF2-MSA

DeGregorio Family Foundation Grants $125,000 for Innovative Cancer Therapy Research

In a notable advancement for cancer treatment, the DeGregorio Family Foundation has awarded a substantial grant of $125,000 to Dr. Timothy C. Wang, an accomplished leader in gastrointestinal disease research at Columbia University. This financial support, part of the Michael F. Price Memorial Grant, aims to propel the development of a groundbreaking therapy specifically designed for gastroesophageal cancer, a form often diagnosed in many individuals worldwide.

The grant is named in honor of Michael F. Price, a revered philanthropist and investor who was one of the initial backers of the DeGregorio Family Foundation. Dr. Wang, the Chief of the Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases at the Irving Cancer Research Center, expressed sincere gratitude for this funding, which could potentially increase up to $500,000 based on the results of ongoing studies.

At the core of Dr. Wang’s research is the Modified Trefoil Factor Family 2 (TFF2-MSA), a novel therapy that shows promise in treating gastroesophageal cancer, a devastating condition that claims numerous lives each year. Stomach cancer remains a prevalent cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with over 30,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States alone. The research associated with the grant will focus on identifying specific biomarkers—indicators that reveal which patients are most likely to benefit from this innovative therapy.

Dr. Wang emphasized the significance of the DeGregorio Family Foundation’s support, stating, "We are thankful for the investment in our research, which seeks to not only refine the TFF2-MSA treatment scheme but also enhance patient identification for targeted therapy. This integration of research could influence numerous lives positively."

The backdrop of this investigation lies in the increasing recognition of immune therapy as a critical approach in the treatment of gastric cancers. By utilizing checkpoints that allow T lymphocytes, or immune cells, to attack cancerous cells, the research attempts to harness the body’s natural defenses against this aggressive disease. However, responses to these therapies have been historically suboptimal due to immunosuppressive neutrophils prevalent around tumors.

Dr. Wang’s previous investigations unveiled a promising potential of TFF2, a naturally occurring peptide, in regulating these detrimental neutrophils. Importantly, TFF2 not only facilitates the preservation of beneficial neutrophils that fight tumors but also effectively targets and diminishes the influence of harmful, suppressive neutrophils. This intricate balance could result in enhanced infiltration of T lymphocytes into tumor environments, significantly improving treatment outcomes.

Research conducted on murine models of stomach cancer has demonstrated that elevated levels of TFF2 correlate with substantial tumor reduction and increased survival rates. Additionally, Dr. Wang's team discovered that by attaching a large blood protein, albumin, to the TFF2 peptide (resulting in TFF2-MSA), they enhanced its stability and efficacy, allowing for less frequent dosing and improved combination therapies with other anticancer drugs.

The planned studies under this grant will focus on optimizing the treatment protocol for TFF2-MSA and identifying patient populations that could derive maximum benefit from its application. Initial efforts will confirm whether administering the peptide less frequently can effectively treat gastric cancers, either alone or alongside chemotherapy.

More specifically, the research team will investigate the correlation between naturally occurring TFF2 levels and patient outcomes, developing potential biomarkers associated with better therapeutic responses. Analyzing blood samples from treated patients could yield critical insights into TFF2-MSA plasma levels, the presence of circulating neutrophils, and CD8+ T cells as indicators of treatment effectiveness and prognostic outcomes.

Dr. Wang remains optimistic about the future implications of his research, stressing that these studies could revolutionize treatment strategies for gastroesophageal cancers while also offering valuable insights into the prognostic capabilities of blood tests for specific proteins.

Concluding remarks by Lynn DeGregorio, President of the DeGregorio Family Foundation, underscored the promise of Dr. Wang’s research: "His work brings us closer to initiating clinical trials and, potentially, finding a cure for this formidable disease."

The DeGregorio Family Foundation, established in 2006 after a family member succumbed to stomach cancer, has committed to raising over $12 million to fund innovative research dedicated to eradicating gastric and esophageal cancers. Currently, it stands out as the only foundation dedicated exclusively to these critical areas in cancer research.