University of Pennsylvania receives $55 million donation for hereditary cancer research and treatment

of University of Pennsylvania receives $55 million gift For hereditary cancer research and treatment. A gift from University of Pennsylvania alumni Mindy and John Gray will be used to establish the Vassar Cancer Interception Institute. BRCA Basser Center part of the pen Abramson Cancer Center.

Rather than relying on standard treatments such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy after cancer is detected, the institute’s goal is to “discover” various forms of disease when abnormal BRCA1/2 cells develop. to stop it and advance the timeline for cancer treatment. In a statement, the university said, “The Basser team has explored a wide range of approaches, from drug- and immune-based approaches to thwart BRCA-related cancers, to novel methods of detecting cancer cells using biomarkers and artificial intelligence. We will develop initiatives,” he said.

according to National Cancer Institute, BRCA1 When BRCA2 A tumor suppressor gene that plays a role in the control or prevention of cancer.error or mutation BRCA1 Also BRCA2 Genes increase an individual’s cancer risk. This mutation may also be passed on to children of individuals who are at increased cancer risk in adulthood.

About 13% of women in the general population will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. However, 55% to 72% of her females inherit the deleterious gene. BRCA1 45% to 69% of women who inherit the variant and the deleterious gene BRCA2 Variants cause breast cancer. Additionally, 1.2% of women in the general population will develop ovarian cancer at some point in their lives, whereas 39% to 44% of women inherit the deleterious gene. BRCA1 11% to 17% of women who inherit the variant and the deleterious gene BRCA2 Variants develop ovarian cancer by age 70-80.

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harmful variants of BRCA1 When BRCA2 It is also associated with an increased risk of several additional cancers, such as fallopian tube cancer, primary peritoneal cancer, and to some extent pancreatic cancer.toxic men BRCA2 variant, and to a lesser extent BRCA1 Variants also increase the risk of breast and prostate cancer.

The goal of cancer prevention is Susan Domchek Managing Director BRCA Basser Center , to identify and deploy a toolkit of strategies that can be used like HPV testing for cervical cancer screening and colonoscopy for colon cancer. Both allow the identification of precancerous cells and the opportunity to intervene before they develop disease.

Strategies for blocking BRCA mutation carriers include a series of timed interventions designed to contain the cancer, e.g., more intensive monitoring, use of cancer vaccines, prescription of inhibitors, adoption of prophylactic radiation. may be included.

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Mindy and John Gray have donated over $125 million to the University of Pennsylvania over the past decade. $25 million gift The Basser Center was founded in 2012 in honor of Mindy’s sister, Faith Basser, who died of BRCA-related ovarian cancer at age 44.

Jon Gray is Blackstone’s President and Chief Operating Officer. Previously, he was the global head of the company’s real estate division, where he helped build the world’s largest real estate platform. He joined Blackstone in 1992.

In addition to donating to the University of Pennsylvania, the Grays partnered with New York City to create NYC Kids RISE to encourage college savings for low-income children.

“Mindy and John are visionary philanthropists who have dedicated themselves in many creative ways to help them deal with and expose themselves to hereditary cancers. “It’s made a huge difference in how we educate, care for, and engage patients and families,” said Penn. Liz McGill“We are proud to partner with them to change the outlook for individuals with BRCA mutations and provide them with better non-surgical options for a healthier, longer life.”

“The dream of stopping these cancers in their early stages or preventing them in the first place is no longer science fiction,” said Mindy and John Gray. “We are excited to build on his decade of success at the Vassar Center and work to transform how future generations should face these diseases.”