Chordoma Foundation Announces $100,000 Challenge Grant to Accelerate the Search for Drugs

March 5, 2012 - PRLog -- Currently, there are no drugs approved to treat chordoma, a rare bone cancer of the skull and spine, however National Institutes of Health (NIH) researchers have identified over 40 FDA-approved drugs that showed promise in laboratory testing. Before embarking on clinical trials, these drugs need to be tested in animal models to determine which are the most effective at slowing or stopping the growth of chordoma tumors. A new challenge grant received by the Chordoma Foundation is intended to help raise the $200,000 needed to test the top 10 drugs in two newly developed animal models of chordoma. All donations will be matched dollar for dollar up to up to $100,000.

“At this time, treatment options are limited for chordoma patients and complete surgical removal of the tumor provides the best chance for long-term survival,” says Josh Sommer, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Chordoma Foundation and a chordoma survivor. “Given that chordomas occur in the head and spine, surgery is often difficult and can result in significant complications. The identification of an already-approved drug that could slow or stop the growth of chordoma would be an enormous breakthrough, and could have an immediate impact on the lives of chordoma patients. We are extremely grateful for this opportunity to determine whether an effective treatment for chordoma already exists.”

Johns Hopkins University researchers are ready to begin testing the top drugs identified by the NIH screening. If any of these drugs show anti-tumor activity in the chordoma animal models, it could quickly lead to a new clinical trial for chordoma patients. The donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, recognizes the potential for this project to give chordoma patients new treatment options in the near-term, and hopes this challenge grant will encourage all chordoma patients and their families to contribute to this project.

Since its inception in 2007, the Chordoma Foundation has systematically supported and facilitated research to develop new treatments, and ultimately a cure, for chordoma. This work has produced important results applicable to other types of cancer, including the discovery of a new way cancer can form.

More information on chordoma, the Foundation, and opportunities to contribute to this important research can be found online at http://www.chordomafoundation.org/.

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The Chordoma Foundation is an international nonprofit organization working to improve the lives of chordoma patients by accelerating the development of effective treatments, and by helping patients to get the best care possible.