(June 30, 2008) In continuation of its support of sarcoma research and education at the University of Minnesota, the Karen Wyckoff Sarcoma Research Fund (KWSRF) has awarded $104,006 to Masonic Cancer Center researchers and physicians. The KWSRF Board of Directors approved the funding in December 2007. In six years, the KWSRF has donated over $300,000 toward sarcoma cancer research, physician and patient education, and support for patients and families in the Upper Midwest.

The most recent funding supports the following projects:

Heritable influence on VEGF receptor function in a canine endothelial STS

Principal Investigator: Jaime F. Modiano, V.M.D., Ph.D.
Co-investigator: Denis Clohisy, M.D.
Naturally occurring cancers of dogs offer a robust model to enhance our understanding of these diseases. The relative frequency of soft tissue sarcomas (STS) is 5 to 10 times greater in dogs, providing ready access to case materials and patients for interventions. Modiano's lab identified a peculiar set of genes that are differentially enriched in canine hemangiosarcoma (HSA) according to breed. The study proposes to analyze the impact of both a pharmacologic and a genetic approach to treating HSA cells in a lab cell culture dish based upon targeting the cell receptor related to blood vessel growth (i.e., VEGF—vascular endothelial growth factor).

The role of p53 mutations in pediatric alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS)

Principal Investigator: Simona Ognjanovic, Ph.D.
Co-Investigator: Brenda Weigel, M.D.
The p53 tumor suppressor gene normally prevents tumor growth by modulating many cellular functions. It is abnormal (mutated) in about half of all human cancer cases, however, in rhabdomyosarcoma (a soft tissue sarcoma most common in very young children) there is a very high rate of abnormality. This study proposes to analyze 80 tumors to determine the frequency and diversity of p53 mutations in two common types of rhabdomyosarcoma (embryonal vs. alveolar). Furthermore, the study plans to use both standard pathologic and newer molecular biological techniques to investigate exactly how p53 affects cellular function in this tumor and search for abnormal genes that might be useful to exploit for therapeutic purposes.

MicroRNA expression profile of synovial sarcoma

Principal Investigator: Subbaya Subramanian, Ph.D.
Co-investigator: Denis Clohisy, M.D.
Synovial sarcoma represents 5 to 10 percent of all soft tissue sarcomas, typically occurring in the limbs of young adults, although it may arise at almost any age and anatomic location. Correct diagnosis of synovial sarcoma can be challenging, especially in small biopsies, as some synovial sarcomas (monophasic type) can appear similar to other soft tissue sarcomas such as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are derived from small pieces of genetic material and are a significant class of gene regulators. An emerging hypothesis is that miRNA deregulation plays an important role in tumor development. This study will attempt to analyze the contribution of miRNAs to the process of synovial sarcoma formation and develop new diagnostic markers that could aid in the identification of tumor in early stage.

Patient education video series: amputation, rotationplasty, and limb salvage

Principal Investigator: Edward Cheng, M.D.
Goal: To help patients understand the expected functional consequence of undergoing major limb reconstructive procedures, such as lower and upper extremity amputations, rotationplasty, and limb salvage surgery, by providing educational videos of patients who have previously undergone such types of surgeries illustrating their functional abilities performing various activities. A set of videos will be produced of patients undergoing a prescribed set of various activities of daily living. An interview with the patient by a physical or occupational therapist will be included. The cosmetic appearance of the surgical site would be included as well. These videos will be made available to patients with musculoskeletal tumors. When possible, at least two patients for each type of reconstruction will be documented on each video.