The Community Foundation of Broward awards $900,000 in new grants for cancer research to Memorial Foundation and Nova Southeastern University

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – In a significant move to advance cancer research and improve access to life-saving treatments for patients in Broward County, the Community Foundation of Broward has announced two new grants, totaling $900,000. These grants will support innovative cancer research projects at Memorial Foundation and Nova Southeastern University (NSU), marking another major step in the Foundation’s commitment to combating cancer in the local community.

The two recipients, Memorial Foundation and Nova Southeastern University, have each been awarded $450,000 over a three-year period. Memorial Foundation will receive funding for its Lung Cancer Biomarkers & Precision Therapy project, while NSU’s research will focus on Exosome-Based Immunotherapies for Melanoma. These projects, both groundbreaking in their approach, aim to bring advanced cancer research and therapies closer to the patients who need them the most.

“We are thrilled to support these transformative research projects, which hold immense potential to improve cancer care for Broward residents and beyond,” said Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Broward. “Our new cancer-fighting grants are made possible by dedicated local philanthropists who partner with us to advance cancer research that fuels new discoveries and better treatments.”

The Community Foundation of Broward’s primary goal is to ensure that all residents of the county, especially those in underrepresented and underserved communities, have access to the most innovative and effective cancer treatments available. By focusing on both cutting-edge research and improving patient support systems, the Foundation strives to make Broward County a hub for cancer research and ensure that all cancer patients, regardless of background or income, receive the care they deserve.

Memorial Foundation’s Lung Cancer Biomarkers & Precision Therapy Project

The first of the two grants is awarded to the Memorial Foundation for its Lung Cancer Biomarkers & Precision Therapy research. Lung cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers in the world, and the Memorial Foundation aims to make a significant impact by expanding and enhancing its biobank for lung cancer research.

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The project will involve collecting and analyzing matched tumor tissue, circulating tumor DNA, and liquid biopsy samples from 150 patients diagnosed with early and advanced-stage lung cancer. The goal is to build a more comprehensive understanding of lung cancer’s genetic and molecular underpinnings, which will ultimately lead to more precise and individualized treatment options. This effort will be a collaboration between Memorial Cancer Institute and Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, which will provide long-term storage and infrastructure for the biobank.

Dr. Luis E. Raez, Chief Scientific Officer and Medical Director at Memorial Cancer Institute, is leading the research. He and his team will work on identifying predictive and prognostic biomarkers for lung cancer. These biomarkers will enable clinicians to tailor treatments to each patient’s specific tumor biology and resistance patterns, ultimately improving the effectiveness of therapies. The use of precision medicine in lung cancer treatment is poised to transform the way the disease is managed, offering patients a more personalized approach to care.

“We’re excited to be part of this transformative research effort,” said Dr. Raez. “With the help of this grant, we’ll be able to expand our biobank, which will enable us to discover novel biomarkers that could change the way we treat lung cancer. This research has the potential to improve outcomes for patients in Broward and across the country.”

Nova Southeastern University’s Exosome-Based Immunotherapies for Melanoma

The second grant of $450,000 will support NSU’s research into exosome-based immunotherapies for melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. The project will investigate how exosomes, tiny particles released by melanoma cells, can be used to enhance the immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Exosomes are known to play a role in cell communication, and the research team at NSU will focus on how exosomes derived from melanoma cells treated with proprietary H1/H2 inhibitors can enhance immune responses. The study will explore how these exosomes affect immune cells and help them recognize melanoma cells more effectively. Researchers will also analyze the changes in RNA and protein molecules found in the exosomes when treated with the H1/H2 inhibitors. These findings could lead to the development of new immunotherapies for melanoma that are both more effective and less invasive than traditional treatments.

The principal investigator for the project is Dr. Dmitriy Minond, a professor at NSU’s Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy. He will be working alongside Dr. Vladimir Beljanski, an associate professor at NSU’s College of Allopathic Medicine. Together, they aim to leverage their findings to create new, more effective treatments for melanoma, one of the most aggressive cancers.

“The ability to use exosomes to enhance immune therapies for melanoma could revolutionize how we approach treatment for this aggressive disease,” said Dr. Minond. “This grant allows us to explore this exciting avenue of research, and we hope it will lead to breakthrough therapies that improve patient outcomes.”

Closing Health Equity Gaps

One of the most significant aspects of these grants is the Community Foundation of Broward’s focus on closing health equity gaps in cancer care. Many Broward residents, particularly those in lower-income and minority communities, face numerous barriers to accessing quality healthcare, including discrimination, poverty, and systemic inequities. The Foundation’s cancer research grants are designed to address these challenges head-on by prioritizing inclusive care that ensures diverse populations are represented and supported throughout their cancer journey.

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“As we support cancer research in Broward, we’re not just looking to advance science; we’re also working to create a healthcare system that is fair and accessible for all,” said Anderson. “By investing in research that focuses on precision medicine and personalized treatments, we’re ensuring that all patients, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status, have the opportunity to benefit from these life-saving innovations.”

A History of Supporting Cancer Research

This latest round of cancer research grants builds on a long history of support for cancer research and patient care in Broward County. Since 2016, the Community Foundation and its fundholders have invested more than $3 million in local cancer research initiatives, clinical trials, and support systems for patients. These investments have helped improve access to cutting-edge treatments and provided patients with the tools they need to navigate their cancer journey.

The Foundation has a long-standing commitment to improving healthcare and fostering innovation in Broward County. Over the past 40 years, the Community Foundation has provided more than $200 million in support for a variety of causes, including education, social justice, affordable housing, disaster relief, and healthcare. Its impact is felt across the community, and the latest cancer research grants are just another example of how the Foundation continues to lead the charge for positive change.

Looking Ahead

With the recent grants, the Community Foundation of Broward is ensuring that local cancer patients will have access to groundbreaking research and innovative treatments. These efforts are helping to make Broward County a leader in cancer research and providing patients with new hope for the future.

For more information about the Community Foundation of Broward and its ongoing work in cancer research and other areas, visit their website at https://www.cfbroward.org/.