Pittsburgh, July 1, 2024 -- Ian F. Pollack, MD, A. Leland Albright Distinguished Professor at the University of Pittsburgh and noted pediatric brain tumor researcher, has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the V Foundation for Cancer Research for his project “Metabolic Strategies to Improve Outcome for DIPGs.” The award is funded in partnership with the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Connor’s Cure initiative, a longstanding supporter of various innovative brain tumor projects in the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Brain Tumor Research Program.
“Pediatric Diffuse Midline Gliomas (DMGs) and high-grade gliomas (HGGs) are aggressive brain tumors that affect children,” Dr. Pollack explained. “Unfortunately, current treatments don’t work well for these tumors. Our research shows that energy pathways play a role in making these tumors resistant to treatment. Specifically, proteins involved in energy use become more active in resistant tumors. Our recent findings suggest that disrupting these pathways could be a new way to fight these tumors.
“In our upcoming study, we will test a compound that acts like glucose but interferes with energy use. We will also test other ways to target the weaknesses of these tumors. Our studies will measure protein and gene activity, energy use, and how combination treatments may work to improve the chances for cure, offering hope for patients and families dealing with these deadly tumors.”
The V Foundation was founded in 1993 by ESPN and former North Carolina State basketball coach Jimmy Valvano who was battling metastatic adenocarcinoma at the time. Valvano announced the formation of the foundation in his famous "Don't Give Up. Don't Ever Give Up” speech delivered at that year’s ESPY Awards while terminally ill and accepting the inaugural Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award.
Valvano passionately told the audience to live every day to the fullest and said, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up. And that’s what I’m going to try to do every minute that I have left. I will thank God for the day and the moment I have.” He finished his remarks with the memorable words "Cancer can take away all of my physical abilities, (but) it cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever.” He passed away less than two months later, but his foundation lives on with his commitment to saving lives and uncovering cures for cancer.
In his ESPY acceptance speech that night, Valvano said about cancer research, “It may not save my life, (but) it may save my children’s lives. It may save someone you love.” Ironically, in 2005, his daughter Jamie was diagnosed with breast cancer, but thanks to the advancements in cancer research, she is now a 19-year cancer survivor.
Since its inception, the V Foundation has allocated over $353 million in grants supporting the most promising cancer research from exceptional scientists across the nation.
Connor’s Cure was founded in 2014 after 8-year-old wrestling fan Connor Michalek lost his battle with cancer. Through a partnership between World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and the V Foundation, Connor’s Cure has raised nearly $4.5 million for critical pediatric cancer research at prominent cancer centers nationwide.