Posted on September 5, 2001 at 8:46 a.m.

WHAT:

Ceremony to dedicate two laboratories for breast cancer research.

WHERE

UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center
Wallace Tumor Institute
1824 6th Avenue South
Room 214

WHEN

Friday, September 7 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

WHO:

Representatives from the Avon Products Foundation, Inc. (New York office) and UAB cancer researchers.

WHY:

Avon has donated $4.2 million to the UAB Cancer Center since 2000 for breast cancer research and recruitment of Avon Breast Cancer Scholars. Two new researchers will utilize the space.

BACKGROUND:

In 2000, The Avon Products Foundation, Inc., donated $2.2 million to UAB for breast cancer research. The gift was part of a larger $14 million award distributed to five cancer centers nationwide. Last year, Avon donated an additional $2 million. Specific Avon projects include:

Pre-targeting radioimmunotherapy — Preclinical studies show this technique allows the delivery of five to 10 times more radioactivity with very little toxicity and could revolutionize the therapy of solid tumors, particular breast tumors.

Racial differences in breast cancer — African-American women have a poorer survival rate for breast cancer. Researchers are examining factors that may be responsible for the lower survival rates.

Adequacy of diagnosis and therapy in underserved populations — Researchers are studying the prognosis of breast cancer patients from underserved populations.

Biologic significance of a new oncogene — Investigation in the BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 oncogenes has led to increased interest in other genetic mechanisms at work in breast cancer. Scientists are studying a newly described oncogene for its potential as a molecular target for diagnostic or therapeutic agents.