Regional Research Partnership
UNC Charlotte/Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas Partnership
Emphasis on Brain Cancer Research
Why brain cancer research? Brain cancer is far more prevalent than many of us realize and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. Brain metastases often confound otherwise successful systemic cancer treatments as most therapies cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. Brain tumors can serve as a natural nexus for the development of local translational research programs in cancer. Virtually all major cancer types metastasize to the brain—therefore, studying the mechanism of brain metastases allows for the study of all major cancer types. Additionally, the largest community neurosurgery and radiation oncology practices are headquartered in this region.
What is the Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas?
The Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas (BTFC), a not-for-profit organization founded in 2003 by Charlotte neurosurgeon, Dr. Tony Asher and retired Bank of America executive Jim Palermo, is a multi-disciplinary group of healthcare professionals, business leaders, patient advocates, and others committed to the development of cooperative cancer treatment and research programs in Charlotte. BTFC’s immediate objectives are to increase public awareness of the impact of brain tumors and to promote the development of academic-industry partnerships to further local biomedical research efforts.
Partnership with UNC Charlotte
In 2004, BTFC formalized a strategic partnership with UNC Charlotte to develop research efforts in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer using the brain as a model for study.
Summer Cancer Research Symposium
One of the first actions of the UNC Charlotte/BTFC partnership was hosting The Promise of Cancer Research symposium in July 2005 to discuss the development of integrated biomedical research efforts in the Charlotte region. The symposium brought together local and national leaders from the fields of medicine, basic and clinical research, academics, and business to examine key issues related to creating a relevant and sustainable biomedical research effort and its impact on the economic, academic and healthcare sectors of this community. Outcomes of the discussion revealed Charlotte’s assets in a sizeable patient base for clinical research, a high level of clinical research activity already being conducted at local hospitals, UNC Charlotte’s strong interest in advancing both applied cancer and bioinformatics research and in forming clinical partnerships, and the Charlotte Research Institute’s capacity to develop and nurture industry partnerships with biotech companies.
Developing a Diagnostic Tool for Metastatic Brain Tumors
In March 2006, the UNC Charlotte/BTFC partnership announced its first translational cancer research project with a $50,000 grant from BTFC matched by the university for brain cancer research. Assistant Professor, Dr. Didier Dreau of the UNC Charlotte biology faculty will use the grant to study cancers that are difficult to treat that develop in one part of the body (lung, skin and brain) and metastasize to the brain. Dr. Dreau will identify specific genes and proteins key to cancer cells that travel to the brain. These specific genes/proteins will be used to develop a diagnostic “tool” for metastatic brain tumors. More specifically, he will look at gene expression in both primary cancer cells and metastatic brain cancer cells in an effort to identify which genes influence the ability of cancer cells to travel to the brain. Dr. Dreau will partner with Charlotte doctors Richard White of Carolinas Medical Center, James Dollar of Carolinas Pathology Group, Stuart Burri and William Warlick of Southeast Radiation Oncology Group, and Tony Asher of Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates.
