by Roya Naqvi
City of Hope Cancer Center has received a $150,000 grant from the Lance Armstrong Foundation to study adverse effects following childhood cancer. The institution is one of 21 centers across the country to receive cancer survivorship and testicular cancer research grants from the foundation.
City of Hope researchers will examine the DNA and RNA of patients who develop congestive heart failure, stroke, secondary cancers or osteonecrosis following cancer treatment. The DNA and RNA will be compared to that of patients who have undergone similar treatment for childhood cancer but did not develop adverse effects.
"Improving our understanding of the gene-environment interaction will help identify high-risk groups, allowing for effective risk prediction and implementation of primary and secondary prevention strategies," said Smita Bhatia, M.D., M.P.H., chair of the Division of Population Sciences. Primary prevention strategies include tailoring therapies to reduce the incidence of adverse events, while secondary prevention strategies include screening guidelines to reduce disease in high-risk groups.
"Since its inception, the Lance Armstrong Foundation has awarded more than $14.6 million in research grants focusing on improving quality of life for cancer survivors," said Suzanne Kho, associate director of research for the foundation. "We are thrilled to fund leading investigators of cancer research at superior institutions across the country and abroad, and we encourage those interested to visit livestrong.org/research to learn more about our research program and how to apply."
The Lance Armstrong Foundation inspires and empowers people affected by cancer. The foundation serves its mission through advocacy, public health and research. Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the foundation is located in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit www.livestrong.org.
