Side-Out Foundation sponsors new advanced breast cancer clinical trial

The Side-Out Foundation, which pairs volleyball enthusiasts with breast cancer researchers, is sponsoring a new clinical trial for up to 25 patients with advanced breast cancer.

TGen Drug Development (TD2) will manage this pilot study for the Side-Out Foundation at two locations: TGen Clinical Research Services (TCRS) at Scottsdale Healthcare in Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Fairfax Northern Virginia Hematology Oncology in Fairfax, Va.

The clinical trial, which began Feb. 15, 2010, follows the Bisgrove Study presented in April 2009 to the American Association for Cancer Research that showed that cancer patients could benefit from treatment based on molecular profiling of their cancer. While the Bisgrove Trial was a broader-based solid tumor cancer study, it showed the potential clinical benefit of a personalized-therapy selection strategy, based on the molecular profiling results.

This trial, currently listed on the National Cancer Institute Clinical Trial Directory, goes a step beyond molecular profiling to introduce mapping proteomic pathways within the tumor tissue so each patient can receive a highly targeted regimen designed to impede their cancer growth.

Caris Life Sciences and George Mason University's Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine are the two principal laboratories that will be applying their independent technical approaches to analyzing the diseased tissue.

Over the next 24 months the Side-Out Study is intended to provide real-time treatment recommendations to physicians treating patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Rick Dunetz, the head volleyball coach of a northern Virginia high school, founded the Side-Out Foundation in 2004 to recognize the struggle of his mother, who had a recurrence of breast cancer.

"Side-Out" in volleyball occurs when one team wins a point while its opponent is serving, thereby regaining serve or control of play. Likewise, in the war against breast cancer, the Side-Out Foundation supports health care professionals in their pursuit of practical solutions for women and men with this dreaded disease, enabling them to regain control of their lives and live them to the fullest.

Through its "Dig Pink®" breast cancer awareness rallies at high schools and colleges across the country last October, Side-Out exceeded its $1 million goal by nearly $500,000.

SOURCE The Side-Out Foundation