METAvivor Announces Special, Directed RFI (Request for Proposal) for MBC Liver Metastasis
Each year at this time METAvivor puts out its request for research proposals (RFP). Career metastasis researchers are invited to respond by March with a letter of intent (LOI) outlining the basics of the project for which they would like funding. Those making the initial cut are invited to submit a full proposal. Normally we do not specify a particular type of project except to clarify that the research must address the mechanistic understanding and treatment of metastatic breast cancer. We make it clear that proposals focused on the type of metastasis research that is most frequently funded … that of preventing metastasis … will be summarily dismissed. We only review metastasis research proposals that are focused on making a difference for the already metastasized patient.
This year, in addition to putting out our standard RFP we are putting out one very special, directed RFP – one for the development of a mouse model for liver metastases.
Why a mouse model and why liver metastasis? One of the major organs impacted by breast cancer metastasis is the liver; however, it has been extremely difficult to treat. This is because research for liver metastasis for many cancers, not just metastatic breast cancer, has been stymied by a dearth of animal models in the form of mice.
The difficulty is that not just any mice can be used. Mice must be specifically bred for a wide variety of research categories. The development of these mice is time consuming and expensive; and it is a project in and of itself. But without them, many excellent concepts will never get off the ground because the necessary animal cohort is non-existent.
Having known far too many MBC patients struggle when their metastases spread to their livers, and knowing that research for the condition is stymied by a lack of mouse models, this year our Board decided to focus one of its 2014 grants specifically on the development of a breast cancer liver metastasis mouse model. The funding for this specific grant was gifted to METAvivor by a single donor, who is in agreement with our decision of this narrow use.
Our traditional RFP for 2015, which was announced February 23, is currently on our website and being widely advertised by the Metastasis Research Society. It will be competitive for all areas of metastasis research focused on the already metastasized condition. Today we launch our breast cancer liver metastasis mouse model. It will receive the same wide distribution and we look forward to reviewing the proposals it elicits.
Our grantees for 2015 will be selected this summer and announced shortly thereafter.
