Peggy and Greg Strakosch are visionaries who keep their eyes trained on the horizon for the very early stages of the next critical factor that warrants attention and support. Their recent gift of $1 million to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute will support the collaborative work of Dipanjan Chowdhury, PhD, the Svanberg Family Chair at Dana-Farber, chief of the Division of Radiation and Genome Stability, and co-director of The Mellen and Eisenson Family Center for BRCA and Related Genes, to take the next step in producing a blood test that can identify patients most at risk for developing a BRCA-related cancer, such as breast and ovarian cancer. This new early detection blood test using microRNAs could become the basis for a more accessible, affordable, and comprehensive way to identify an inherited risk of cancer.
“In speaking with Dr. Chowdhury about this next step in his research, it seems obvious that this could be a game changer,” said Greg and Peggy Strakosch. “It’s a compelling place to invest our money because it can have a significant impact on patients. When cancer is detected early, the success rate for cure is so much higher.”
Inherited BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations can increase risk or predisposition for certain types of cancer, including ovarian, breast, pancreatic, and prostate. By identifying who carries these mutations and is at greatest risk, doctors can provide preventative or early treatment. However, genetic testing is currently required to discover who carries these mutations, and it can be costly and inaccessible to many people. But the blood test that Chowdhury and his colleagues at Brigham and Women’s Hospital are treating can reveal which BRCA-carriers are at most risk for developing cancer in a more accessible way. With the latest funding from the Strakosches, Chowdhury and his colleagues will take the next step in validating this test. They will analyze a cohort of 1,200 patient blood samples to identify a unique signature that will indicate an onset of cancer in patients who carry a BRCA mutation.
“My vision is to reimagine the global standard of cancer detection and change the lives of patients through improved cancer screening and prevention,” said Chowdhury. “The only way to realize this goal is with the support of generous donors like Peggy and Greg, who share my vision for a future where testing for cancer risk is as easy as testing for heart disease or diabetes.”
This vision to defy cancer doesn’t end with Greg and Peggy; their adult children have inherited their same energy and commitment to framing a world without cancer and participate in the Pan-Mass Challenge with their team called Team Detect Me if You Can.
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