Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program
The Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program, formerly the Neil Bogart Memorial Fund, is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) public charitable organization that funds pediatric cancer, leukemia and AIDS research at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.
History
The Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program was founded in 1984 and named in memory of the late record and film executive, Neil Bogart, who died of lymphoma at the age of 39. Songwriter Carole Bayer Sager and Neil’s widow, Joyce Bogart Trabulus, cited Neil’s love of children and his resolve that one person could make a difference as their inspiration for creating the foundation in his name.
Bogart joined efforts with the early development of a pediatric program at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). Beginning with only one small laboratory, today Bogart supports several research programs and has contributed over $25 million to their five laboratories at CHLA to support innovative research for leukemia, cancer and AIDS.
Mission
The Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program raises vital funds to support early stage pediatric cancer research at the Bogart laboratories located at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. These funds are matched many times over by government and private dollars to allow the maximum support for this important research. The Bogart Program is dedicated to supporting “bench to bedside” research to find cures and treatments for these diseases and to enhancing the quality of life of the children who survive them.
Funding
Bogart funds the diagnosis, treatment, care and cure of luekemia, cancer and AIDS at CHLA. The seed grants funded by Bogart provide the means of exploring and developing research ideas. As the research shows promise, more traditional funding sources are available to build on their seed grants and thus expand the research.
Bench to Bedside Research
Because of the relationship between the Bogart Labs and CHLA, early-stage research jumps from the researcher's bench directly to the bedside of a child. Through the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), medical professionals at 120 member facilities around the world have access to this research and are able to cross reference their patients and treatments with the latest protocols.
Programs and Research
Investigators in the Pediatric Cancer and Leukemia Program investigate childhood malignancies of the nervous system (brain tumors, neuroblastoma), the eye (retinoblastoma) muscle and bone (sarcomas), and blood cells (leukemias). The following highlights some of CHLA’s research accomplishments.
Gene Activity Profile Identifies High-Risk Neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma, a tumor of the sympathetic nervous system, is one of the most common solid tumors in infants and children. Using “gene chips” Drs. Shahab Asgharzadeh and Robert Seeger discovered 55 genes whose (activity) expression can be used to determine the chance of survival for children with widespread (metastatic) disease. This information also likely will lead to the discovery of genes and networks of genes that could be targeted in new therapeutic strategies. Collectively, this research will make it possible to individualize care for each patient based on definition of a tumor’s gene signature.
Normal cells can form blood vessels that help cancers to grow. Cancer cells must survive and grow in their microenvironment in order to become a problem for patients. Drs. Anat Epstein and Yves DeClerck have provided new information about how blood vessels, which are essential for providing nutrients and oxygen to the tumor cells, form. Dr. Epstein found that cells lining blood vessels must have an anchoring foundation in order to survive and maintain blood flow. Dr. DeClerck showed that cells forming a supporting scaffold around these lining cells also are key to maintaining a nutritious blood supply to tumors. Both of these cell types can be targeted therapeutically to disrupt blood supply and thus to cause tumors to stop growing or shrink.
Normal cells can help leukemia cells resist treatment. Drs. John Groffen and Nora Heisterkamp used a model of childhood leukemia that they developed in mice to understand how resistance to the [...] imatinib (Gleevec) may develop in patients. They showed that normal cells could protect leukemia cells from being killed by this [...]. This is important because it suggests that imatinib may be more effective in children if this effect of normal cells could be blocked.
Integrated research teams continue to thrive. CHLA uses “bench to bedside” translational research strategy for neuroblastoma to continue developing teams of laboratory and clinical investigators who work together. Failure of current therapies for brain tumors and leukemias are among the greatest challenges facing us. Thus, funding from Bogart is providing “seed capital” to establish outstanding groups of laboratory and clinical investigators to tackle these two problems. For example, studies of young children with brain tumors seek to cure them and importantly to also preserve their ability to learn and function in society. Thus, CHLA's brain tumor researchers seek to “save lives and save neurons”.
Clinical testing of new treatments. In the area of clinical trials, Bogart physicians test new therapies that are based upon laboratory findings. We have organized multi-institution consortia that specialize in testing new strategies for childhood neuroblastoma, brain tumors, and leukemia. CHLA is the only institution in the US that leads three clinical trials consortia.
Bogart Scholars
Created in 2008, The HOPE Scholarship presented by the Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program was established to assist patients treated with therapies through Bogart’s research who are continuing their post high school education in a college or vocational program.
Candidates submit essays, applications, letters of recommendation and high school transcripts through CHLA’s Long-term Information, Follow-up and Evaluation (LIFE) Survivorship and Transition Program and Hematology-Oncology Psychosocial and Education (HOPE) Program. Applicants were diagnosed before the age of 18 and receive treatment or LIFE Program care at CHLA. They are selected based on their written applications including information about their goals, life experience and community service.
Ten chosen scholars receive a cash award for tuition, fees, books and supplies and new laptop computer. In 2008, All ten candidates were awarded the scholarship on June 1 at CHLA’s Celebrate Life with HOPE event at Paramount Studios.