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 NORRIS COTTON CANCER CENTER

THE ANDREA CLARK NELSON MEDICAL RESEARCH ENDOWMENT (THE ANDY FUND)

STATUS REPORT

The Andy Fund is an essential mechanism for fostering research focused on cancer of the brain, especially glioblastoma multiforme, and enabling investigators to pursue new ideas that may lead to more effective and compassionate care. The Andy Fund makes it possible for a promising scientist to develop preliminary research data that can subsequently be used to pursue grant opportunities from external funding organizations such as the National Institutes of Health. By developing and sharing his/her research through publication and collaborative relationships, the investigator has an impact upon the scientific community at large and contributes to the process of discovery in cancer research.

The Andy Fund is managed by the Cancer Center Administration. Funding recommendations are made by the Cancer Research Committee (CRC) and submitted to the Director of Norris Cotton Cancer Center and the Dean of Dartmouth Medical School for approval. In its deliberations regarding allocation from the Andy Fund for FY2006, the CRC recognized the specific purpose of The Andy Fund to support research in malignant brain tumors at Norris Cotton Cancer Center and chose to support the innovative research concepts proposed by Dr. Brent Harris and Dr. Gabriele Popp.

Brent Harris, a neuropathologist and physician-scientist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Norris Cotton Cancer Center. He and his laboratory and clinical colleagues are conducting research to identify prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in glioblastoma multiforme. For this purpose, they are creating a tissue microarray using samples from central nervous system tumors biopsied at DHMC, and will use this microarray to determine the level and methylation status of a specific enzyme that inhibits the therapeutic action of an important brain cancer drug, Temozolomide. They are investigating the gene expression patterns of this enzyme at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels. It is hoped that studying the levels and functions of the enzyme in tissue and blood samples will lead to better tools for predicting therapeutic outcome and assist in treatment planning.

Gabriele Popp is a Hospitalist at DHMC who specializes in hyperbaric medicine. Dr. Popp has proposed a novel approach to combining hyperbaric oxygenation of tumor tissues with radiation to enhance the response of glioblastoma multiforme to radiation therapy and thus decrease tumor progression and improve survival. It is important to note that support from The Andy Fund has played a critical role in fostering a research career for this successful and innovative young clinician.

The Andy Fund is a critical discretionary resource for Norris Cotton Cancer Center. We greatly appreciate the consideration of the donor in establishing this Fund at Dartmouth, and are committed to applying it to the most compelling brain cancer research initiatives brought forward by our scientists.

Respectfully submitted,

Mark A. Israel, MD

Director, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Professor of Pediatrics and Genetics

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Dr. Brent Harris

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Dr. Gabrielle Popp

Created by Karla J. Nelson, Director.
Copyright © 2002 [The Andy Fund]. All rights reserved.