The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation has awarded funding for esophageal cancer research in June 2023; the third time in less than 11 years since the charity was founded.
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation issued not one, not two but THREE grants for esophageal cancer research.
In 2011, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation was established to raise awareness, encourage early detection and to fund research of esophageal cancer. Since 2011, the foundation has both raised awareness and encouraged the importance of earliest possible detection across the United States and internationally. The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation first funded esophageal cancer research in July, 2015 and then again in November, 2018.
Current Esophageal Cancer Research Funding
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation awarded research funding to Dr. Matthew Stachler and The Regents of the University of California in the amount of $44,742.00 for the project titled: “Determination of inflammatory influences on progression of Barrett’s esophagus and invasive esophageal adenocarcinoma.”
Dr. Stachler’s research seeks to “understand what drives the progression of preneoplastic disease into invasive cancer by applying the many systems developed for studying advanced cancer to premalignant conditions in early evasive disease with Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma being a major focus.”
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation also awarded research funding to Dr. Nathan Parker and H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Inc., in the amount of $30,000.00 for the project titled: “Exercise prehabilitation for locoregional esophageal cancer.”
Dr. Parker’s research will “evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of PA and RT exercise prehabilitation components among patients preparing for LEC resection; to examine changes in exploratory outcomes over the course of exercise prehabilitation and recovery following therapy and to compare clinical and treatment outcomes to those of a retrospectively identified comparison group that received no formal exercise prehabilitation programming.”
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation also awarded research funding to Dr. Sazzad Hassan and Indiana University in the amount of $50,000.00 for the project titled: “Overcoming resistance to HER2-targeted therapies in esophageal adenocarcinoma.”
Dr. Hassan’s research will “investigate whether acquired lapatinib resistance in esophageal adenocarcinoma is due to down regulation of heat shock protein 40. These studies might pave the way toward the use of HSP40-glycolytic enzymes interaction targeting as an innovative therapeutic approach to overcome lapatinib resistance.”
Learn the Facts About Esophageal Cancer
One of the primary risk factors associated with esophageal cancer is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, also known as GERD or acid reflux disease, of which the most common symptom is chronic heartburn. Other risk factors include obesity, heavy drinking, poor nutrition and smoking and/or use of tobacco products.
With over a 733% increase in the past four decades, esophageal cancer is among the fastest growing and deadliest cancers in the United States and the western world.1
There are no current standard or routine screenings to detect esophageal cancer in its earlier stages. Currently, guidelines for referral for endoscopy occur when warning symptoms appear.
These warning symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, typically appear once the cancer has become advanced. This, in addition with other factors mentioned, leads to the current overall five-year survival rate of only 19.2%.2 Despite its rapid increase and poor prognosis, esophageal cancer receives insufficient awareness and research funding.
The Salgi Foundation: Past Esophageal Cancer Research Funding
In July, 2015, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation issued esophageal cancer research funding to Program Director Dr. Carlos Minacapelli and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnston Medical School. That research was presented as a poster presentation during Digestive Disease Week in May, 2017.
In November, 2018, The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation awarded principal investigator, Dr. Donald Low and Virginia Mason Medical Center, grant funding. Dr. George Hanna of St Mary’s Hospital (Imperial College London) is co-investigator.
The research, which is currently underway, intends to establish a non-invasive test for the detection of esophageal cancer that is based upon the unique signature of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within exhaled breath and to analyze exhaled VOCs in response to therapeutic intervention in patients.
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation would like to thank all our supporters and donors who believe in this mission and who make these accomplishments possible. However, this is just the beginning. The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation continuously receives many requests for esophageal cancer research. We need to continue our efforts to fundraise so that we may continue to fulfill this mission to raise awareness, encourage early detection and fund research.
To make a tax-deductible donation to The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, please visit: SALGI.org/donate.
The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit as recognized by the IRS.
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The Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation 