ALBANY, N.Y. (August 6, 2007) -- The University at Albany's Cancer Research Center (CRC) is collaborating with St. Peter's Hospital to research anti-prostate cancer therapies. Scott Tenenbaum, a molecular geneticist at the CRC, and Michael Perrotti, M.D., a urologic oncologist at St. Peter's Hospital Cancer Care Center, will investigate how effective the drug dutasteride, originally formulated as a treatment for benign prostate growth, works in men with prostate cancer.
UAlbany received a $10,000 grant from the Dominic Ferraioli Foundation to help fund the one-year project.
"We are pleased to be able to partner with UAlbany's Cancer Research Center in its search for a cure for cancer," said Foundation Administrator Kathleen Ratajczak.
For the project, Tenenbaum and Perrotti will research the genetic effect of dutasteride on prostate cancer cells, providing crucial data to better understand the drug's effect in men with prostate cancer. This year, over 25 Capital Region men with prostate cancer are participating in a clinical trial at St. Peter's Hospital Cancer Care Center.
"We are extremely grateful to receive this grant, which will help facilitate a research opportunity that there aren't many mechanisms for in this region," said Tenenbaum. "I am excited to work with Dr. Perrotti on this project and hope this collaboration will have a positive impact on the vibrancy of Albany's bio-medical community, as well as encourage future partnerships."
"Translational research such as that which we are conducting is essential to bring laboratory observations to the clinical setting where they can impact the care of patients," said Perrotti. "The Ferraioli Foundation has provided the mechanism for this type of collaboration to now happen in the Capital Region".
Prostate cancer is the most common non-dermatological form of cancer in the U.S. It is a leading cause of mortality in adult males, accounting for an estimated 220,000 new cases and 30,000 deaths each year.
The Dominic Ferraioli Foundation was established in 2001 under the last will and testament of Dominic Ferraioli, a Guilderland resident and Capital Region businessman. The Foundation's mission is to further Ferraioli's values and goals with particular consideration to assisting medical facilities. Since its establishment, the Foundation has awarded grants totaling $769,000 to various local charities.
The CRC, which opened in the fall of 2005, is the only facility in the Albany area solely dedicated to cancer research. The St. Peter's Hospital Cancer Care Center is an approved, comprehensive community based cancer program accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
