Since the beginning, Children’s Cancer Research Fund committed its support to the world class research happening at the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota.
Hundreds of talented physicians, scientists, health care professionals and staff work together to develop new lifesaving approaches to eradicate this disease. The Cancer Center is one of 39 institutions receiving a prestigious designation of National Cancer Institute designated comprehensive cancer center. This designation is awarded only to institutions that make ongoing, significant advances in cancer research, treatment and education.
Research Milestones from the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota
- Contributed to the increased survival rate for children’s cancers from 10% in 1959 to nearly 80% today.
- Performed the first successful bone marrow transplant in 1968. This procedure was the genesis for world-wide research regarding the use of stem cell transplants from bone marrow to cure patients with cancer and other diseases.
- Performed the first double umbilical cord blood transplant in 1999. Combined with a new form of chemotherapy, the world reknowned Minneapolis Regimen was developed. This treatment option has dramatically reduced cancer recurrence in patients and nearly tripled survival rates.
- Used natural killer cells derived from cord blood to treat patients with acute myelogenous leukemia, a common childhood cancer that is not responsive to standard treatment.
- Discovered a rare adult stem cell that can be coaxed into lung tissue or tissue lining the stomach or intestines to help repair tissues damaged by chemotherapy and radiation.
- Used tomographic irradiation therapy to selectively irradiate bones and bone marrow prior to a stem cell transplant. This targeted method focuses radiation on bone marrow and spares the surrounding healthy tissue.
- Linked higher risk for leukemia and brain tumors in very young children (under 5 years of age) to BRCA2 gene mutations, which had previously been identified as markers for increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer.
- Reported the transmission of lung cancer from mother to her unborn child, showing that cancer cells can cross the placenta and lead to the same cancer in the child.
- Demonstrated the added benefit of immune system stimulating agents in combination with chemotherapy to kill cancer cells, leading to national trials of this method to improve outcomes for adults with lung cancer.
- Used the TLR7 agonist (a new drug that stimulates the immune system against cancer cells) to treat patients with blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma that are not responsive to standard treatment.
- Continues to act as a leader in the study of the late effects of childhood cancer. This is especially important since there are now more than 270,000 childhood cancer survivors in the United States who are at heightened risk for secondary cancers and other health risks later in life.