PLGA-Sponsored Research Projects

Conferences and Symposiums

Advancing basic and translational research in Low Grade Astrocytoma - A Trials Consensus and Research Planning Meeting" in Nottingham, England

At this two day conference, hosted by Dr. David Walker at the University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Center, over 60 researchers and clinicians from 6 different countries, representing 24 different major medical institutions united to discuss advancing brain development, cancer genetics, drug mechanisms and delivery studies as well as clinical trial development.  By so doing this promoted conversation between individuals already involved in exploring the most recent scientific and clinical developments relevant to childhood PA in order to develop evidence-based novel hypotheses and research strategies, through novel collaborations in order to promote new avenues of basic, applied and translational research linked to aetiology, factors determining natural history and response to treatment as well as optimised methods for future clinical trials. Read more >>

Low Grade Glioma Symposium at the International Society of Pediatric Neuro-Oncologists.

The 4 hour symposium, at the ISPNO conference on June 30, 2008, co-sponsored by the PLGA Foundation and the Brain Tumor Society, was asell out success with over 500 researchers in attendance. This is the LARGEST single gathering of researchers/clinicians EVER to come together with the sole objective of discussing progress in the area of pediatric low grade gliomas.

20 research abstracts were presented from around the world and keynote speakers included Dr.Stiles, from Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Dr. Brennan from Memorial Sloane-Kettering Cancer Center.

In addition, an interdisciplinary panel of medical experts gathered together at the ISPNO Family Day, to speak with over 100 brain tumor families. Excerpts from these discussions can be viewed through the videos below:

The establishment of The PLGA Research Program - Dana Farber Cancer Institute - UPDATES

The PLGA Foundation approved the newest grant to the PLGA Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute on November 30th, 2009.  The grant funding will help to establish a new Pathology Research Scientist position, which will expand the program's research enterprise by focusing on important projects such as acquisition and genetic characterization of LGA tumor samples. The foundation is very pleased to support this position from January 2010 through December 2012. In addition to this grant, the PLGA Foundation has directed further funding to the PLGA Program's wide array of research and clinical initiatives through the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, the Boston Marathon(r) Jimmy Fund Walk, and other events.

According Dr. Chuck Stiles, "We are grateful to the PLGA Foundation for their continued, generous support of our research program.  Funding provided by the foundation is absolutely critical for sustaining our efforts to identify novel genetic mutations in pediatric LGAs.  It's these mutations that will serve as targets for a new generation of smart drugs for these tumors."

Dr. Mark Kieran comments, "The support of the PLGA Foundation is enabling us to decipher the biology of
LGAs.  New foundation funds will allow us to translate our research findings into clinical tests that can be used to test patient tumors.  Our ability to test for tumor mutations to stratify patients will be essential for the next generation of targeted-drug clinical trials."  

In May 2007, the establishment of the first dedicated PLGA research program at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The initial $2 million grant will concentrate resources on research on pediatric low-grade brain tumors, in order to discover new and improved targeted therapies that don't risk impairing children's bodies and minds. This is believed to be the first coordinated research effort committed to this specific type of brain tumor world-wide. Read more...

Projects include:

• Immunohistochemical Analysis
• Gene expression studies
• Proteomics: Seldi-TOF
• Proteomics: Maldi-TOF
• Potential Exelixis compounds for JPA treatments
• Oncomap Genetic Profiling
• International Tumor Bank
• Mulit-Institutional Clinical Trial - RAD 001
• Zebra Fish Model

On May 19th, 2008 Drs. Mark Kieran and Chuck Stiles, co-directors for the PLGA Research Program, met with a small group of PLGA families to explain the operating research strategy behind the PLGA Research program and describe two of the landmark projects that are under way. The first project, establishment of an international Tumor Tissue Bank, and the second, development of three NEW clinical trial protocols. The PLGA Research Program is funded by families associated with the PLGA Foundation and welcomes new donors at any time. Dr. Chuck Stiles and Dr. Mark Kieran, spent a few hours with a numberof PLGA families for a round table discussion about the strategy of thePLGA Research Program. Video footage of the discussion can be viewedat DFCI PLGA Research Program Update.

For more information on the PLGA research program at Dana-Farber.

PLGA Foundation Grant Funding has also been provided to the following cutting edge projects:

Grant Distributions in Partnership with The Brain Tumor Society (Boston)

While the funds for the following projects were raised by PLGA Families (through the Brain Tumor Society's Ride for Research), these projects were solicited wholly through The Brain Tumor Society's request for proposal and peer review processes. The Brain Tumor Society's continued commitment to supporting pediatric low grade astrocytoma (PLGA) specific research projects, with funds raised by PLGA Foundation families, will result in the identification of additional critical PLGA projects within the next 3 months.

First JPA Researcher Symposium, May 2006

Funding for the first JPA Researcher Symposium, in Bethesda, Maryland (May 2006) was also provided by the PLGA Foundation families. At the JPA Researcher Symposium, 18 world renowned scientists were invited to share their expertise in a scientific discussion with individual presentations and group discussions about JPA. Results from this pivotal JPA Symposium formed the recommendation of new and advanced interdisciplinary science, to avoid “duplication” of limited resources, and forward collaborative approaches to this challenging, under this funded disease. Read more...

The results of the workshop can be viewed in the Executive Summary, Agenda, and Workshop Participants.

We hope you will return to this section frequently to explore the new studies that are being funded by PLGA Foundation. Grant applications are accepted and grants are approved all year long.

With continued education and research funds, we can begin to imagine targeted therapies that arrest the development and potentially cure patients suffering with PLGA.

Unite to fight PLGA! Donate to the PLGA Foundation today. Your generosity can bring us one giant step closer to a 100% cure!