I'm a proud supporter of the PMC because it is leading a charge to beat cancer. In fact, last year 100% of rider-raised revenue went directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure. I am riding for my sister a 2x survivor and my hero, Her friend, my friend Barbara, my aunt, my uncle and many others. Some lost their battle, some won their battle with incredible bravery and strength!!
I am honored to be riding with Team Ovarian Cancer. This is the second year Team Ovarian Cancer is riding under the leadership of Nancy Cantor. Our goal is to more than double last years fundraising of ~$85K to $180K in 2023. Meet our fearless leader Nancy and our friend Mara: Team Ovarian Cancer-Why we ride
Our teams funds will go directly to helping Dr. Matulonis in her research on Natural Killer Cells. Here are her words on what the funding will support:
Our GYN group is exploring the potential of a promising avenue of immunotherapy called cytokine induced memory-like (CIML) natural killer (NK) cell therapy for use against recurrent ovarian cancer. NK cells are often described as the “shock troops” of the immune system, the first wave of defenders against infection and disease. They are called natural killers because they do not require any special preparation or training to go on the attack. Like a well-organized strike force, they deploy quickly, do their job, and disperse. NK cells were thought to lack the type of cellular memory found in their longer-lived immune system counterparts, such as T NK cells do not readily proliferate and have a fleeting lifespan of only a few days, leaving them largely unable to eliminate infected or diseased cells. The type of NK cells used are CIML (cytokine-induced memory-like) NK cells, they are stimulated by specific proteins known as cytokines that facilitate communication between cells of the immune system, which enhances their ability to recognize and eliminate cancer. CIML NK cells also show increased proliferation and longevity compared to typical NK cells. A novel approach developed at Dana-Farber combines the CIML NK cells, which have been preactivated with cytokines, with an IL-15 super-agonist, a compound that enhances the durability and effectiveness of the already amplified immune response. This regimen has shown promise in phase I trials for blood cancers including acute myeloid leukemia, and in one trial led to complete remission in seven out of 13 patients with difficult-to- treat relapsed/refractory disease. Dana-Farber is the only institution in the world currently evaluating CIML NK cell therapy in solid tumors.
The Division of Gynecologic Oncology is preparing to launch a clinical trial testing CIML NK cell therapy in combination with an IL-15 super-agonist and an immune checkpoint inhibitor for recurrent high- grade ovarian cancer. Designed as a phase I study, it will be the first-in-human trial of this immunotherapy combination for this disease subtype. We are looking forward to testing these supercharged NK cells to treat recurrent ovarian cancer.
Thank you so very much for your donations. I hope to raise much, much more than my $2000 goal. Every penny is appreciated with all my heart.
Chris
I'm a proud supporter of the PMC because it is leading a charge to beat cancer. In fact, last year 100% of rider-raised revenue went directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure. I am riding for my sister a 2x survivor and my hero, Her friend, my friend Barbara, my aunt, my uncle and many others. Some lost their battle, some won their battle with incredible bravery and strength!!
I am honored to be riding with Team Ovarian Cancer. This is the second year Team Ovarian Cancer is riding under the leadership of Nancy Cantor. Our goal is to more than double last years fundraising of ~$85K to $180K in 2023. Meet our fearless leader Nancy and our friend Mara: Team Ovarian Cancer-Why we ride
Our teams funds will go directly to helping Dr. Matulonis in her research on Natural Killer Cells. Here are her words on what the funding will support:
Our GYN group is exploring the potential of a promising avenue of immunotherapy called cytokine induced memory-like (CIML) natural killer (NK) cell therapy for use against recurrent ovarian cancer. NK cells are often described as the “shock troops” of the immune system, the first wave of defenders against infection and disease. They are called natural killers because they do not require any special preparation or training to go on the attack. Like a well-organized strike force, they deploy quickly, do their job, and disperse. NK cells were thought to lack the type of cellular memory found in their longer-lived immune system counterparts, such as T NK cells do not readily proliferate and have a fleeting lifespan of only a few days, leaving them largely unable to eliminate infected or diseased cells. The type of NK cells used are CIML (cytokine-induced memory-like) NK cells, they are stimulated by specific proteins known as cytokines that facilitate communication between cells of the immune system, which enhances their ability to recognize and eliminate cancer. CIML NK cells also show increased proliferation and longevity compared to typical NK cells. A novel approach developed at Dana-Farber combines the CIML NK cells, which have been preactivated with cytokines, with an IL-15 super-agonist, a compound that enhances the durability and effectiveness of the already amplified immune response. This regimen has shown promise in phase I trials for blood cancers including acute myeloid leukemia, and in one trial led to complete remission in seven out of 13 patients with difficult-to- treat relapsed/refractory disease. Dana-Farber is the only institution in the world currently evaluating CIML NK cell therapy in solid tumors.
The Division of Gynecologic Oncology is preparing to launch a clinical trial testing CIML NK cell therapy in combination with an IL-15 super-agonist and an immune checkpoint inhibitor for recurrent high- grade ovarian cancer. Designed as a phase I study, it will be the first-in-human trial of this immunotherapy combination for this disease subtype. We are looking forward to testing these supercharged NK cells to treat recurrent ovarian cancer.
Thank you so very much for your donations. I hope to raise much, much more than my $2000 goal. Every penny is appreciated with all my heart.
Chris
| 2024 | $0.00 | PMC Volunteer |
| 2023 | $3,287.00 | Wellesley to Patriot Place (25 mile Sunday) |
| 2022 | $0.00 | PMC Volunteer |
