The Sarcoma Research Center
The menu on the right links to articles about current sarcoma research topics. Most of these articles were written for our peer-reviewed newsletter, ESUN. We also regularly publish news of interest to sarcoma researchers, doctors and patients in ESUN's Research Corner.
Sarcoma research is conducted in a variety of areas, many of which are focused on understanding the molecular biology of sarcomas. For example, some researchers are studying chromosomal translocations, the oncogenes they generate and their role in sarcomagenesis and development. Researchers are also studying vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and the use of nanotechnology in the diagnosis and treatment of sarcomas. Some researchers are attempting to understand how sarcomas originate, develop, and spread (metastasize). Others are attempting to understand the differences in the development of sarcomas in children, adolescents, young adults and adults. Some of the research can lead to work exploring "molecular targets" for new sarcoma therapies. Other results can hopefully be directed at finding ways to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of sarcoma. Research often moves from testing ideas on cells (e.g., from sarcoma tissue), to testing ideas in animals (e.g., mice), to testing in human subjects (e.g., patients in clinical trials). "Translational research" is the process by which the results of laboratory research are used to explore the diagnosis and treatment of a disease such as sarcoma.
Funding Sarcoma Research
"The partnership between patient advocacy groups, laboratory researchers, and physicians adept at multidisciplinary care of the patient will be the surest path to progress in therapy, especially in rare or orphan illnesses such as sarcoma."
- Raphael E. Pollock, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S.*
The Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative has reviewed, funded and co-funded more than $1 million in sarcoma research grants at prestigious institutions around the world. We invite you to learn more about our sarcoma research grants program.
Research Conferences
Sarcoma research is reported at various conferences and workshops internationally. Among the meetings where the results of these efforts are reported are the annual meetings of the Connective Tissue Oncology Society, the American Society for Clinical Oncology, the European Musculo-Skeletal Oncology Society, the American Association for Cancer Research, and the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society. The exact dates and locations of these and other sarcoma related meeting can be found in the Sarcoma Calendar.
*Quote from an e-mail about the 2008 Team Sarcoma Initiative.