Band of Parents

Last updated

The Band of Parents is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Formed in July 2007 and incorporated in October 2007, it was founded by approximately 100 parents of young children with neuroblastoma who were treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). Its purpose is to fund the development of new therapies for neuroblastoma that would not otherwise be pursued by research institutions or the pharmaceutical industry. The organization has become the largest single funder of neuroblastoma research at MSKCC. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Contents

Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a form of childhood cancer that can develop at any age but typically presents between the ages of 18 months and five years. It affects a little over 600 children per year in the United States. Most are diagnosed with stage IV disease, the most advanced form. Even with aggressive therapy, stage IV neuroblastoma carries a poor prognosis, with a three-year survival rate of 30–40%. [7]

Compared with other types of cancer, neuroblastoma is rare. Scientific advances have allowed the development of individualized treatments, with techniques such as immunotherapy being targeted to specific kinds of cancer. However, because of the rising cost of drug development, which is approaching $1 billion, pharmaceutical companies are not likely to develop drugs that are specific to neuroblastoma or other rare disorders.[ citation needed ]

Projects

The Band of Parents' first project was the development of a humanized antibody, Hu3F8.

In addition to surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, many neuroblastoma patients at MSKCC were treated with a murine (mouse-derived) monoclonal antibody called 3F8. Given intravenously, 3F8 binds specifically to neuroblastoma cells and triggers an immune response, which destroys the cancerous cells. Because the antibody also binds to peripheral nerve cells, the treatment is painful, but it is generally without long-term complications. However, its use is limited by the body's eventual development of human anti-murine antibody, which neutralizes the effects. The Band of Parents raised $2–$3 million to fund the genetic engineering of the murine cell line that produces 3F8 so that it would produce a new antibody, Hu3F8, using human genes. Hu3F8 has the same benefits as 3F8, but because it is 98% human, it does not cause a neutralizing immune response. In theory, this should allow patients to be treated with it indefinitely. [8]

In March 2013, the Band of Parents led a group of nonprofit organizations in providing a $2 million grant to MSKCC to fund the development of a bispecific monoclonal antibody targeting neuroblastoma. [1]

The organization's other projects have included the Loneliest Road Campaign, [9] a 3,000-mile, 19-day bicycle ride across the US by six fathers of children in active treatment; a bake sale with cookies made by the children, their families and supporters; [10] and The BoP Shop, an online store featuring artwork by children with neuroblastoma.

In 2012, the Band of Parents began an annual gala event called the Evening of Hope, which has become its primary fundraiser. [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center</span> Hospital in New York City, US

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is a cancer treatment and research institution in Manhattan in New York City. It was founded in 1884 as the New York Cancer Hospital. MSKCC is one of 52 National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Its main campus is located at 1275 York Avenue between 67th and 68th Streets in Manhattan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GD2</span> Chemical compound

GD2 is a disialoganglioside expressed on tumors of neuroectodermal origin, including human neuroblastoma and melanoma, with highly restricted expression on normal tissues, principally to the cerebellum and peripheral nerves in humans.

Humanized antibodies are antibodies from non-human species whose protein sequences have been modified to increase their similarity to antibody variants produced naturally in humans. The process of "humanization" is usually applied to monoclonal antibodies developed for administration to humans. Humanization can be necessary when the process of developing a specific antibody involves generation in a non-human immune system. The protein sequences of antibodies produced in this way are partially distinct from homologous antibodies occurring naturally in humans, and are therefore potentially immunogenic when administered to human patients. The International Nonproprietary Names of humanized antibodies end in -zumab, as in omalizumab.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monoclonal antibody therapy</span> Form of immunotherapy

Monoclonal antibody therapy is a form of immunotherapy that uses monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to bind monospecifically to certain cells or proteins. The objective is that this treatment will stimulate the patient's immune system to attack those cells. Alternatively, in radioimmunotherapy a radioactive dose localizes a target cell line, delivering lethal chemical doses. Antibodies are used to bind to molecules involved in T-cell regulation to remove inhibitory pathways that block T-cell responses. This is known as immune checkpoint therapy.

Nimotuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that as of 2014 had orphan status in the US and EU for glioma, and marketing approval in India, China, and other countries for squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, and was undergoing several clinical trials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">José Baselga</span> Spanish oncologist (1959–2021)

Josep Baselga i Torres, known in Spanish as José Baselga, was a Spanish medical oncologist and researcher focused on the development of novel molecular targeted agents, with a special emphasis in breast cancer. Through his career he was associated with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, and the Massachusetts General Hospital in their hematology and oncology divisions. He led the development of the breast cancer treatment Herceptin, a monoclonal antibody, that targets the HER2 protein, which is impacted in aggressive breast cancers.

3F8 is a murine IgG3 monoclonal antibody which binds to GD2.

Human anti-mouse antibody or human anti-murine antibody (HAMA) is an antibody found in humans which reacts to immunoglobins found in mice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lloyd J. Old</span> 20th-century American immunology researcher

Lloyd John Old was one of the founders and standard-bearers of the field of cancer immunology. When Old began his career in 1958, tumor immunology was in its infancy. Today, cancer immunotherapies are emerging as a significant advance in cancer therapy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Mendelsohn (doctor)</span>

John Mendelsohn was a president of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He was an internationally recognized leader in cancer research.

Robert E. Wittes was Physician-in-Chief of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, from 2002 until December 31, 2012. Prior to his appointment at MSKCC, he was Deputy Director for Extramural Sciences and Director of the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis at the National Cancer Institute, where he oversaw NCI's extramural clinical and basic research programs, including the evaluation of new therapeutics, diagnostics, and translational research. Wittes is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, a member of the American Association for Cancer Research, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Federation for Medical Research. In addition to his institutional affiliations, Dr. Wittes has served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute and Oncology. He has served on the editorial boards of Clinical Cancer Research, Current Opinion in Oncology, The American Journal of Clinical Oncology; Cancer Investigation, and The International Journal of Radiation Oncology-Biology & Physics, among others.

George Bosl is an American cancer researcher, holder of the Patrick M. Byrne Chair in Clinical Oncology at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, and is a professor of medicine at the Weill Cornell Medical College. In 1997, he was appointed chair of the Department of Medicine at Sloan-Kettering, a position which he held until 2015. In 2019, he was named Memorial Sloan Kettering's first ombudsperson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James P. Allison</span> American immunologist and Nobel laureate (born 1948)

James Patrick Allison is an American immunologist and Nobel laureate who holds the position of professor and chair of immunology and executive director of immunotherapy platform at the MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas.

Targeted molecular therapy for neuroblastoma involves treatment aimed at molecular targets that have a unique expression in this form of cancer. Neuroblastoma, the second most common pediatric malignant tumor, often involves treatment through intensive chemotherapy. A number of molecular targets have been identified for the treatment of high-risk forms of this disease. Aiming treatment in this way provides a more selective way to treat the disease, decreasing the risk for toxicities that are associated with the typical treatment regimen. Treatment using these targets can supplement or replace some of the intensive chemotherapy that is used for neuroblastoma. These molecular targets of this disease include GD2, ALK, and CD133. GD2 is a target of immunotherapy, and is the most fully developed of these treatment methods, but is also associated with toxicities. ALK has more recently been discovered, and drugs in development for this target are proving to be successful in neuroblastoma treatment. The role of CD133 in neuroblastoma has also been more recently discovered and is an effective target for treatment of this disease.

Marcel R.M. van den Brink is a Dutch oncologist and researcher at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center known for his research in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for cancer patients.

Dinutuximab and dinutuximab beta are monoclonal antibodies used as a second-line treatment for children with high-risk neuroblastoma. Each antibody is made of both mouse and human components and targets glycolipid GD2, expressed on neuroblastoma cells and on normal cells of neuroectodermal origin, including the central nervous system and peripheral nerves. They differ in that dinutuximab is manufactured using mouse cells, and dinutuximab beta is manufactured using hamster cells. The dosing regime differs, and dinutuximab is given in combination with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and 13-cis-retinoic acid (RA), while dinutuximab beta can be given alone.

Anti-Hu associated encephalitis, also known as Anti-ANNA1 associated encephalitis, is an uncommon form of brain inflammation that is associated with an underlying cancer. It can cause psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and hallucinations. It can also produce neurological symptoms such as confusion, memory loss, weakness, sensory loss, pain, seizures, and problems coordinating the movement of the body.

David A. Scheinberg is an American physician, scientist, drug developer, and entrepreneur, who is currently Vincent Astor Chair, and Chairman of the Molecular Pharmacology Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). He is a pioneer and inventor of targeted alpha particle therapies and alpha particle generators for use in patients with cancer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeffrey Drebin</span> American physician

Jeffrey Drebin is a surgeon and scientist. He serves as the Department of Surgery Chair at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">June Biedler</span> American scientist

June Biedler was an American scientist primarily known for her discovery of proteins that lead to resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy. Her work has been crucial for an understanding of both the development of drug resistance and also for strategies to circumvent such resistance. In addition, Biedler made important contributions to an understanding of the molecular mechanisms of neuroblastoma development, particularly of the role of the N-myc oncogene in the genesis of neuroblastoma

References

  1. 1 2 "Father of Talia Castellano seeks cure for cancer". New York Daily News. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  2. ↑ "The Honor Roll - Giving to Memorial Sloan Kettering". mskcc.convio.net. Archived from the original on 2 May 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  3. ↑ "Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center : 2011 Annual Report" (PDF). Mskcc.org. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  4. ↑ "Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center : 2011 Annual Report" (PDF). p. 52.
  5. ↑ "Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center : 2012 ANNUAL REPORT" (PDF). Mskcc.org. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  6. ↑ "Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center 2012 Annual Report" (PDF). Mskcc.org. p. 27.
  7. ↑ Schmidt ML, Lal A, Seeger RC, et al. (September 2005). "Favorable prognosis for patients 12 to 18 months of age with stage 4 nonamplified MYCN neuroblastoma: a Children's Cancer Group Study". J. Clin. Oncol. 23 (27): 6474–80. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2005.05.183 . PMID   16116154.
  8. ↑ "Humanized 3F8 Monoclonal Antibody (Hu3F8) in Patients With High-Risk Neuroblastoma and GD2-Positive Tumors - Full Text View". Clinicaltrials.gov. 24 August 2021.
  9. ↑ "The Loneliest Road Campaign". Loneliestroad.org.
  10. ↑ "Childhood Cancer Foundation - Cookies for Kids' Cancer - Donate to Childhood Cancer Research". Cookies for Kids' Cancer.
  11. ↑ "The Band of Parents, Evening of Hope Benefit, Raising over $150,000 f…". Archived from the original on 30 July 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.