The Steven Vanover Foundation currently supports a clinical trial led by Shakeel Modak, M.D., at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, NY.

This is one of the very few clinical trials studying treatments for desmoplastic small round cell tumors (DSRCT) in the United States. DSRCT is the rare form of soft tissue sarcoma that affected Steven.  

The Phase 1 study evaluated the safety and efficacy of utilizing antibodies, along with chemotherapy, to treat DSRCT.  These antibodies were developed to recognize tumor cells, and are delivered by injection.  Utilizing this method means that radiation is targeted directly to tumor cells. This is important because this treatment is potentially less toxic and more effective than traditional radiation therapy.

The Steven Vanover Foundation has donated over $200,000 to this study, making it the largest single contributor to the study’s funding, and allowing the study to move forward into Phase II. This money is used to support the production of these innovative antibodies into treatment, and to cover associated costs. These funds are vitally important because this clinical trial receives np government funding. 

Results from the study have not yet been published, but preliminary data is showing increased 14-month survival rates.

Learn more about this clinical trial.