In honor of Bill Masterson, this groundbreaking "window of opportunity" clinical trial is investigating whether an FDA-approved medication, disulfiram, can make glioblastoma tumors more responsive to future immunotherapy before surgery. One of the greatest challenges in treating glioblastoma is that tumors create an environment that suppresses the body's immune system, limiting the effectiveness of promising treatments such as CAR-T cell therapy. Researchers hope disulfiram can reduce this immune suppression, allowing the immune system to better recognize and attack the tumor. The study will also explore whether the medication can reduce brain swelling and decrease patients' reliance on steroids, which can weaken the immune response. By analyzing blood and tumor samples collected before and during surgery, researchers aim to better understand how this approach changes the tumor environment.

The fully funded research study, in honor of Josh Wexler and the Wexler Family, led by Dr. Shahab Asgharzadeh and his team at CHLA, aims to evaluate the effectiveness of CTSR-enabled CAR-T cells against high-grade glioma cell lines and in immunodeficient mice with human GBM tumors. Project Every Day Counts, aimed towards childhood GBM, focuses on filling every day with positivity and joy.

In honor of Craig Snedeker, this donation supports the pioneering glioblastoma research led by Dr. David Reardon at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Dr. Reardon and his team are at the forefront of developing innovative immunotherapy strategies designed to improve outcomes for patients with glioblastoma. By funding research that has the potential to transform the future of brain cancer treatment, this gift honors Craig's memory while helping create hope for patients and families facing this disease.

Through our 2024 partnership with the Glioblastoma Research Organization, we helped fund over $140,000 in innovative glioblastoma research beyond our own grant program. This includes The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University Biobank initiative.