Malignancies affecting the upper gastrointestinal (upper GI) tract are among the most lethal tumor types, contributing to over 1 million deaths worldwide in 2023 from the combined toll of gastric and esophageal cancers. These tumors present formidable challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes, underscoring the urgent need for innovative approaches to enhance patient care and survival.
The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research, the DeGregorio Family Foundation, and the Torrey Coast Foundation are committed to supporting high-impact research projects that will provide answers to critical scientific questions on the path to making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients affected by these diseases. We are holding a request for proposals through The Mark Foundation’s ASPIRE Award program for projects focused on tumors of the upper GI tract. Proposals should cover topics such as understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor initiation and progression, resistance, and metastasis; identifying novel biomarkers for early detection; and developing innovative treatment strategies including identifying and characterizing novel targets. Proposals should aim to drive disruptive research, with the goal of advancing the field of gastric and esophageal cancer research and ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Proposed projects must address gastric or esophageal cancers and focus on one of the following problem areas in the field:
Preclinical studies of new pathways, targets, and treatment approaches to improve patient outcomes. These could include the molecular mechanisms of cancer initiation or progression, overcoming resistance, or development of metastases.Novel strategies for early detection and preventionTechnology development for studying upper GI cancersPlease see the ASPIRE Award Spring 2024 RFP webpage for eligibility and additional information.
ASPIRE Award Spring 2024 : Breaking Ground in Targeting Gastric and Esophageal Tumors
Malignancies affecting the upper gastrointestinal (upper GI) tract are among the most lethal tumor types, contributing to over 1 million deaths worldwide in 2023 from the combined toll of gastric and esophageal cancers. These tumors present formidable challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes, underscoring the urgent need for innovative approaches to enhance patient care and survival.
The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research, the DeGregorio Family Foundation, and the Torrey Coast Foundation are committed to supporting high-impact research projects that will provide answers to critical scientific questions on the path to making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients affected by these diseases. We are holding a request for proposals through The Mark Foundation’s ASPIRE Award program for projects focused on tumors of the upper GI tract. Proposals should cover topics such as understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor initiation and progression, resistance, and metastasis; identifying novel biomarkers for early detection; and developing innovative treatment strategies including identifying and characterizing novel targets. Proposals should aim to drive disruptive research, with the goal of advancing the field of gastric and esophageal cancer research and ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Proposed projects must address gastric or esophageal cancers and focus on one of the following problem areas in the field:
Preclinical studies of new pathways, targets, and treatment approaches to improve patient outcomes. These could include the molecular mechanisms of cancer initiation or progression, overcoming resistance, or development of metastases.Novel strategies for early detection and preventionTechnology development for studying upper GI cancersPlease see the ASPIRE Award Spring 2024 RFP webpage for eligibility and additional information.