Projects
Hu3F8 - The organization's first project was the development of a humanized monoclonal antibody, Hu3F8. In addition to surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, many patients with neuroblastoma treated at MSKCC receive therapy using a murine (mouse derived) monoclonal antibody, 3F8. Given IV 3F8 has been effective at binding specifically to neuroblastoma cells and signaling an immune response causing destruction of the cancers cells. Because the antibody also binds to peripheral nerve cells treatments are painful but are generally without long term complications. While the impact of 3F8 on overall survival of neuroblastoma patients is not clear, the quality of life for patients receiving 3F8 may be significantly improved. The main factor limiting the effectiveness and use of 3F8 treatment is the eventual development of a neutralizing immune response (HAMA, Human Anti-Murine Antibody) by the patient to the mouse derived antibody (HAMA, Human Anti-Murine Antibody) rendering it ineffective.
The Band of Parents first project was to raise an estimated $2–3 million to fund the genetic engineering of the mouse-hybrid cell line which produces 3F8 such that it would produce a new antibody, Hu3F8, using human genes. Hu3F8 is a humanized antibody with the same benefits as 3F8 but because of the antibody is 98% human it does not generate a neutalizing immune response. In theory this would allow children to be treated with this indefinitely. The Band of Parents succeeded in fully funding this project and drug development is underway.
Cell Mediated Immune Therapy - The Band of Parents board of directors is evaluating projects using cell mediated immunity for further funding.
Read more about this topic: Band Of Parents
Famous quotes containing the word projects:
“One of the things that is most striking about the young generation is that they never talk about their own futures, there are no futures for this generation, not any of them and so naturally they never think of them. It is very striking, they do not live in the present they just live, as well as they can, and they do not plan. It is extraordinary that whole populations have no projects for a future, none at all.”
—Gertrude Stein (1874–1946)
“But look what we have built ... low-income projects that become worse centers of delinquency, vandalism and general social hopelessness than the slums they were supposed to replace.... Cultural centers that are unable to support a good bookstore. Civic centers that are avoided by everyone but bums.... Promenades that go from no place to nowhere and have no promenaders. Expressways that eviscerate great cities. This is not the rebuilding of cities. This is the sacking of cities.”
—Jane Jacobs (b. 1916)