Research
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Children’s Hospital at Columbia Medical University
From 2014 to 2023 TMF has funded comprehensive genetic sequencing at Columbia University Medical Center that enables personalized treatments for individual patients, vital clinical grade sequencing, and therapeutic recommendations for high-risk pediatric cancer patients.
TMF continues to fund comprehensive genetic sequencing at Columbia University Medical Center which uses next generation advanced diagnostic testing not widely available outside of Columbia to make personalized, genetically informed treatment recommendations for high-risk pediatric cancer patients.
Access to genomic testing is key to treating patients at the right time with the right therapy to reduce toxicity and improve health outcomes. Unfortunately, genomic testing is hindered by inconsistent insurance coverage and variation in payments by the insurance industry. Without the support of TMF some of the most vulnerable patients would have reduced access to genomic testing and vital treatment recommendations which would widen the healthcare disparity.
Customized treatments targeting the precise characteristics of a child’s tumor is a groundbreaking change from the one-size fits all approach used to date.
What distinguishes Columbia as a leader in the field of personalized medicine are the breadth and depth of clinical expertise across disciplines, the rich and diverse patient population they attract, and access to world-renowned research faculty. At Columbia success is measured one patient/one family at a time.From 2009-2010 tay-bandz funded a pre-clinical testing program used to establish cell lines from patients who have rare tumors and to then use them to test novel therapeutics.
From 2005-2009 tay-bandz supported several faucets of solid tumor research including research to understand the biology of pediatric solid tumors. The goals were to understand the angiogenesis of pediatric solid tumors, evaluate agents in preclinical models and develop clinical trials with antiangiogenic agents. Additionally, tay-bandz supported the Development Therapeutics Program.
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Memorial Sloan Kettering
In 2022 and 2023, TMF funded a trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering for a novel and cutting edge treatment protocol for Ewing Sarcoma (ES) pediatric patients.
Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive and rare form of cancer diagnosed in some 200 children and teens annually in the United States. Despite recent progress in diagnosis and treatment, almost 40 percent of ES patients today succumb to their disease. Better therapies are urgently needed.
We are so thankful that TMF had an unprecedented opportunity to change the lives of patients with Ewing sarcoma and their families.
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Very Rare Cancer Consortium -The New York Genome Center
In 2021, TMF funded the NYGC which is a multi- institutional hub for genomic research whose mission is the advancement of genomic science and its application to drive biomedical studies. NYGC’s area of focus includes disease-focused research to better understand the genetic basis of cancer. The NYGC is using TMF’s grant to whole genome sequence and analyze individual pediatric cancer patients to identify novel biomedical treatments.
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Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
In 2020,TMF funded a Phase III brain tumor trial administered by the Children’s Oncology Group. Scientists there are seeking to replace minimally effective chemotherapy protocols with targeted biologic therapies.
In 2019, TMF funded a nationwide clinical trial for a drug to treat pediatric low-grade gliomas, a type of brain tumor. The drug targets unresectable tumors that have several genetic mutations. Based on the overwhelmingly favorable preliminary results, many families are asking for their children to remain on the drug for longer than originally budgeted or funded in the trial.
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Memorial Sloan Kettering
In 2018 and 2019, TMF granted funds to Memorial Sloan Kettering enabling oncologist to determine if cancer cells are still circulating within seven days of tumor removal and injection of use of a novel antibody to treat Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors – a rare childhood cancer of the abdomen with a very poor prognosis. antibody. This test offers real time confirmation of cancer eradication and helps to assess the need for additional treatment.
In 2014, TMF funded a study at Memorial Sloan Kettering, for the use of this novel antibody to treat Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors. The trial was successfully completed and the survival rate increased dramatically.
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The National Institute of Health
TMF has funded the completion of a clinical grade master cell bank to support development of a new immunotherapy based vaccine for patients with pediatric sarcomas.
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MD Anderson Cancer Center
MD Anderson Cancer Center: tay-bandz has funded research focused on pediatric osteosarcoma, a soft tissue sarcoma that can occur in adolescents and young adults.
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One day in the life of a childhood cancer patient can be an eternity
Our goal has been and always will be to help children with cancer by funding cutting edge research that can impact their lives now, not years and miles of bureaucratic red tape from now.
We will never stop pushing the boundaries of conventional therapies, dated public policy, and the logjams that keep good drugs in the lab and out of the clinic. All our children deserve a bright and healthy future.