Minimally Invasive Procedures for Tumor Ablation

For Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoms patients the use of aggressive surgery, appropriate diagnostic imaging, and long-term surveillance for metastases are critical to achieve long-term survival (Kayton et al 2006). When surgery is not possible, then local treatment like tumor ablation may be considered. In the past we discussed the benefits of Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS). There are different […]

Second Fundraiser in the Memory of Anthony Salisbury (AJ)

On January 26 2009, we lost Anthony Salisbury (AJ) to ASPS. AJ’s fiancée, family and friends remain committed to finding a cure for ASPS. In February 2009, they organized “Knockin’ Down ASPS”, the first fundraiser in AJ’s memory. This year, on Saturday, April 10, the second AJ memorial fundraiser, “Knockin’ Down ASPS” will take place. […]

Potential Therapeutic Targets in Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma – by Dr. Dina Lev

Dr. Dina Lev, from the Cancer Biology and the Sarcoma Research Center at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson has published a new study on Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma. Her study appeared in the Journal of Histopathology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of potential gene therapeutic targets in a cohort of […]

Team ASPS Races in PMC 2009 to Raise Funds for a Cure

During the first weekend of August, Team ASPS participated in their sixth Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) bike ride. This bike-a-thon crosses Massachusetts to raise money for cancer research and clinical trials at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Donations raised by Team ASPS are restricted for research and clinical trials that aim to find a cure […]

Cediranib (AZD2171): Phase II Study in Patients With Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma

Cediranib (Recentin, AZD2171) is an inhibitor of VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) receptors. Therefore, the drug inhibits angiogenesis: the formation of new blood vessels. Angiogenesis, in the context of cancer, enables blood supply to tumors, resulting in tumor growth and spread. Cediranib is being developed by AstraZeneca as a possible anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agent for oral […]

Support Team ASPS in the 2009 Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC)

This weekend, Team ASPS rode the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) for the 6th time. This bike-a-thon crosses Massachusetts to raise money for cancer research and clinical trials at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Donations raised by Team ASPS are restricted for research and clinical trials that aim to find cure for Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma. […]

Fundraiser in the memory of Anthony Salisbury (AJ)

On 26 January 2009, we lost Anthony Salisbury (AJ) to ASPS. AJ’s fiancé, family and friends remain committed to finding a cure for ASPS. In February 2009 they organized the“Knockin’ Down ASPS” event. During this fundraiser they collected over $19,000. Of that money, $3,000 went to AJ’s family, and $16,000 were donated to the laboratory […]

Gene Expression Profiling of Alveolar Soft-Part Sarcoma (ASPS)

Dr. David Vistica, and his collaborators from the National Cancer Institute (in Frederick, MD), published the results from their analysis of gene expression in donated ASPS tumors. It identified elevated expression of genes, related to cancer. These may have diagnostic and therapeutic potential. Few examples are: Involved in angiogenesis: ANGPTL2, HIF-1 alpha, MDK, c-MET, VEGF, […]