$230,000 Awarded in Childhood Cancer Research Grants to Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota

Part of More than $24.7 Million Awarded in New Grants by the St. Baldrick’s Foundation

Minneapolis (August 20, 2014) – The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven and donor-centered charity dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, is proud to award a $230,000 extended St. Baldrick’s Scholar grant to support the work of Kris Ann Schultz, M.D., a physician-researcher and pediatric oncologist at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.

This grant will fund an additional two years of Dr. Schultz’s research project focused on ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors, rare tumors of childhood and young adulthood that have recently been found to be associated with a lung cancer of early childhood called pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB). During the initial study period, Dr. Schultz founded the International Ovarian and Testicular Stromal Tumor Registry (www.OTSTregistry.org). Initial results from the Registry have shown that more than half of girls and women with Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors of the ovary have an underlying genetic mutation in the DICER1 gene which predisposes to ovarian tumors as well as thyroid nodules and certain kidney tumors. The DICER1 gene is also associated with a rare but aggressive lung tumor in infants and young children called pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB).

A recent story from the OTST Registry illustrates the importance of finding underlying DICER1 mutations. In that case, a woman with a history of an ovarian tumor as a teenager was tested for a DICER1 mutation. She was found to have the mutation and thus family testing was recommended. Her infant son was tested at birth and then underwent a screening CT scan at 3 months of age based on those results. The CT scan showed a large cystic lung tumor which was removed in its earliest form.

Both PPB and ovarian stromal tumors are highly curable when found in early stage; however, later forms of these tumors are aggressive and often fatal.

Dr. Schultz’s ongoing work will expand the International Ovarian Stromal Tumor Registry and allow for the collection of additional clinical and biologic data. Understanding these rare tumors will lead to increased survival and reduced side effects of therapy. The Registry will also provide information to improve the direct care of children with these conditions and facilitate future research.

“The beauty of this research is that we are already seeing the impact of the findings on beautiful and inspiring kids here in Minnesota as well as around the world. These tumors are not as rare as previously thought but until now have been understudied.” said Dr. Schultz. “We are also learning how these tumors relate to other more common cancers in children and adults and how developing targeted therapies for these children and young women can lead to improved and customized therapies for other cancers as well.”

“It’s important to note that our ability to follow the science continues to be made possible entirely by philanthropy, including organizations like the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic.”

To learn how you can get involved visit www.StBaldricks.org, and connect with St. Baldrick’s on social media via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Vimeo.

About St. Baldrick’s Foundation
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. Since 2005, St. Baldrick’s has awarded more than $152 million to support lifesaving research, making the Foundation the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds awarded also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials. For more information about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation please call 1.888.899.BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.

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