1. Transrectal Prostate Biopsy Under High-Resolution MRI Guidance

This project, by Gabor Fichtinger at Johns Hopkins University, is to investigate the feasibility of performing remote robotic prostate biopsies and prostate cancer treatments (seeds, PDT, etc.) under high resolution MRI guidance inside a conventional MRI scanner. The MRI provides better resolution of soft tissue, and allows the detection of prostate cancer at an earlier stage. It is not possible for a physician or operator to do the work directly in the vicinity of the MRI machine.

Proposed seed money grant: $30,000                                               Needed to continue: $30,000
Funding is needed. To help support this project, click on Donation.

2. Optical Biopsy for prostate cancer

Current biopsy techniques require that a sample of tissue be removed from the prostate, chemically treated, prepared as a slide, and examined under a microscope, usually a day later. An immediate frozen tissue biopsy is not accurate. This project, by Professor Irving Bigio at Boston University, is to demonstrate the feasibility of detecting cancerous tissue inside the prostate using fiber optics and computer analysis using "elastic-scattering spectroscopy" (ESS).. The tissue is analyzed in real time in. The result will be a more thorough, faster, yet less invasive method of detecting prostate cancer. This technique can be used through probes into the prostate, during open surgery or on biopsy cores.

Proposed seed money: $30,000                                                                       Needed to continue: $30,000
Funding is needed. To help support this project, click on Donation.

Our Researchers Explain the Critical Role of Seed Money Grants

"The money that you have invested to support my work has 'primed the pump' and been of critical importance in allowing me to generate the preliminary data to attract national funding."… "The money from PC-REF was absolutely crucial to my success in obtaining the Army grant." from a letter by Robert Fleischmann, PhD.

Researcher: W. Robert Fleischmann, PhD., Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas. "Development of a prostate cancer Vaccine in Mice," This work is to develop methods of using interferon to combat prostate cancer while minimizing the side effects. PC-REF provided seed money for research involving treating prostate cancer cells outside the animal's body and reintroducing them to promote an immune reaction.
The Department of the Army has awarded Dr. Fleischmann a 3-year, $558,750 grant for his work.

"The hardest part about starting a research effort in a new direction is to fund the initial acquisition of preliminary date, which is always required when applying for larger-scale research from the National Institutes of Health or the DOD prostate cancer Initiative. I would very much appreciate your letting me know if there is hope for seed funding from your Foundation." (Excerpt from a letter by Irving J. Bigio, PhD.)

Researcher: Irving J. Bigio, PhD., Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Boston University. "Optical Biopsy: A Minimally Invasive prostate cancer Detection Technique." This research will lead to the analysis of prostate cells with an optical probe inside the body without having to remove a tissue sample for biopsy. PC-Ref has not been able to fund this deserving project.
$30, 000 is needed for a seed money grant.

"...it acknowledges the support of your Foundation, for which I am indeed grateful. Dr. Mir and I believe that this work is a major breakthrough in the treatment of cancer with cryosurgery, and should be immediately clinically applicable. (Excerpt from a letter by Dr. Boris Rubinsky, PhD.)

Researcher: Dr. Boris Rubinsky, PhD., Professor of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, discussing a cryosurgery paper just published. "Cryochemotherapy: Cryosurgery Techniques and Adjuvant Chemotherapy." PC-REF provided $25,000 to Dr. Rubinsky to initiate the research.
$50,000 more in seed money is needed.

"I hope that the Foundation can provide seed money for this truly promising device. A prototype feasible for animal experiments could be completed for about $30,000. At the present stage, however, partial support of any amount would also be appreciated. Our immediate goal is to demonstrate the feasibility of the device, then to apply for larger institutional grants to bring the concept to clinical practice." From a letter by Gabor Fichtinger, PhD.

Researcher: Gabor Fichtinger, PhD., Director of Engineering, Clinical Thrust Leader, Center for Computer-Integrated Surgical Systems and Technology, Johns Hopkins university, Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Gabor is working on " A Device for Precise Biopsy and Local therapy of the Prostate Under Real-Time MRI Guidance." This work is to develop a means for performing remote control biopsies and other procedures inside an MRI machine.
PC-REF has not yet been able to fund this deserving project. $30,000 is needed for seed money.