Children’s Tumor Foundation and Dolphins Challenge Cancer Propel $1.7 Million Research Study at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Left to Right: Jesse Rodriguez, Assistant VP of Development, Sylvester; Abbey Sutton, Director of Development, Dolphins Challenge Cancer; Javier Sanchez, Executive Director, Dolphins Challenge Cancer; Monica Sohn, Chief Growth Officer, Children’s Tumor Foundation; Annette Bakker, CEO, Children’s Tumor Foundation; Antonio Iavarone, M.D.; Shawn McGee, Executive Director of the Development and UCARE, Sylvester
In a groundbreaking endeavor to advance the understanding and treatment of schwannomatosis, the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF) and Dolphins Challenge Cancer (DCC) have joined forces to catalyze a $1.7 million research initiative at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in the fight against genetically predisposed tumors, demonstrating a deep commitment to innovative research and patient care.
Schwannomatosis, a rare genetic condition characterized by the development of tumors along nerves in the central nervous system and throughout the body, poses significant challenges to patients, often resulting in severe and debilitating pain. Recognizing the urgent need for deeper understanding and effective treatments, this strategic partnership aims to unravel the complexities of schwannomatosis through cutting-edge research led by Dr. Antonio Iavarone, a distinguished pediatric neuro-oncologist and Deputy Director of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
This groundbreaking study represents a significant investment in unraveling the genetic and molecular underpinnings of schwannomatosis. Leveraging state-of-the-art technologies and novel research methodologies, Dr. Iavarone and his international consortium will delve into the intricate interplay between tumor cells and the surrounding microenvironment. By employing advanced single-cell analyses, the team aims to elucidate the contribution of different cell types to the challenges of schwannomatosis, paving the way for targeted and personalized treatment approaches.
“We have kicked off a partnership that dreams are made of,” said Gabriel Groisman, Board Chair of the Children’s Tumor Foundation. “The Children’s Tumor Foundation along with Dolphins Challenge Cancer teaming up with Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center to fund groundbreaking NF research is just a perfect match; a match that the millions living with NF will benefit from. Together, the three organizations along with Dr. Iavarone and many others will get us one step closer to ending NF.”
CTF has a proven track record of success in driving collaborative research initiatives. Through innovative programs such as Synodos and its preclinical initiatives, CTF has convened experts to tackle these conditions head-on. This approach has led to remarkable achievements, including the development of the first ever FDA-approved drug for a subset of NF patients, and triple the number of ongoing clinical trials over the past decade.
This schwannomatosis-focused study will build on the knowledge generated by CTF’s $1 million schwannomatosis-focused Synodos collaborative, a multicenter study that produced research revealing that individual cells play distinct roles in contributing to schwannomatosis challenges. The current project aims to build upon these insights by delving deeper into the specific contributions of single cells, thus aligning perfectly with CTF’s ongoing efforts to advance understanding and treatment in this area.
Javier Sanchez, Executive Director of the DCC, Gabriel Groisman, Board Chair of the Children’s Tumor Foundation, Sylvester Director Stephen D. Nimer, M.D. swap jerseys in celebration of the new partnership.
Dr. Iavarone’s extensive experience in studying the cellular composition of tumors, including NF low-grade gliomas, underscores his ability to apply innovative approaches to shed light on the complexities of schwannomatosis and potentially benefit other NF variants as well.
“With Dr. Iavarone’s track record of studying the cellular compositions of tumors, including neurofibromatosis low-grade gliomas, we are confident in his ability to apply these innovative approaches to shed light on the complexities of schwannomatosis,” said Annette Bakker, Ph.D., chief executive officer of the Children’s Tumor Foundation. “The current consortium, led by Dr. Antonio Iavarone and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, and co-funded between CTF and the Dolphins Challenge Cancer, illustrates our commitment to driving the best research through collaborative and innovative endeavors. We believe strongly in the value of leveraging funding from partners to bring the best players together as a team to accelerate research, delivering effective and safe treatments to patients faster.”
Beyond its immediate implications for schwannomatosis patients, this pioneering research holds promise for advancing our understanding of pain management in NF patients and may offer insights into other forms of neurofibromatosis and schwannomatosis.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to CTF Board Chair Emeritus Richard Horvitz and Erica Hartman-Horvitz for their generous financial support of both the previous Synodos study and this new partnership. Their steadfast commitment to advancing NF research in all its forms is invaluable and deeply appreciated.
To read our joint announcement with Dolphins Challenge Cancer and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, visit here.
For more information on this and our other groundbreaking initiatives, and to support innovative research, please visit ctf.org.
