Support Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR)

Support is sought for various programs, including certain high-priority transformative projects:

Cancer research

Cancer cryo-immunotherapy: The next wave in therapy for advanced cancers | $400,000

LIMR researchers are furthering new methods to treat advanced, metastatic cancers that no longer respond to approved or experimental therapies. Cryo-immunotherapy combines new and existing anticancer principles that need both clinical and preclinical study, in the latter case to optimize surgical methods followed by immunotherapeutic drugs (including those pioneered by LIMR's discovery of small molecule inhibitors of a key immunomodulatory enzyme called IDO) to fully yet safely engage potent antitumor immunity.

Blood test to prognose chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) | $100,000

This project focuses on a blood test developed by Maggie Wallon, PhD, that can prognose risks of CIPN, one of the most serious side effects of certain widely used cancer chemotherapy drugs. There is currently no objective test to predict CIPN onset or severity, and further clinical testing could establish this CIPN risk test in helping limit this often- irreversible side effect before symptoms emerge.

Novel vaccine adjuvant to improve vaccine responses in elderly individuals | $50,000

A recent discovery suggests that the regenerative medicine pioneered by Ellen Heber-Katz, PhD, might rejuvenate the immune response in elderly individuals, enabling a more youthful level of protection achieved by vaccines. This project seeks to build on this exciting observation, one of the latest potential concepts for use of LIMR's unique regenerative medicine technology.

Autoimmune research

Targeting IDO2 to treat autoimmune arthritis | $250,000

This project aims at supporting the studies of Laura Mandik- Nayak, PhD, on IDO2, an immunomodulatory enzyme discovered at LIMR that drives rheumatoid arthritis. The unique aspect of IDO2 is that it appears to be involved only in abnormal autoimmune states rather than in normal immunity. IDO2 studies are important because they may illuminate specific pathways in the body that are involved only in autoimmune reactions — ideal targets for drug development.

Developing RHOB antibody as a broad-spectrum autoimmune therapy | $100,000

Lisa Laury-Kleintop, PhD, has developed a humanized antibody with several potential therapeutic uses, most notably in quieting autoimmune and other chronic inflammatory reactions. This project seeks to advance studies of this unique biologic to learn how it works and how it can be formulated suitably for clinical testing.

Regenerative research

Tissue regenerating drug to promote scarless healing of surgical wound | $250,000

This project focuses on broadening the regenerative medicine technology developed by Ellen Heber-Katz, PhD, for scarless wound healing and anti aging. Dissolvable sutures secrete a medicine to enable non scarring healing of surgical wounds, where a new surgical product is envisioned. Topical gels are also being explored, including for possible anti aging effects.

Other

Novel pharmacologic therapy to prevent cardiac arrest | $500,000

LIMR's newest research faculty member, Mena Abdelsayed, PhD, co-discovered a new drug called AR-787 that offers lifesaving potential for treatment for a class of heart syndromes that lead to sudden cardiac death. These so-called J-wave syndromes occur in about one in 2,000 people and are associated with abnormal heartbeat rhythms (arrhythmias). This project seeks to advance understanding and clinical development of AR-787, which interacts with the cardiac sodium channel protein needed for proper electrical conduction in the heart.

Annual giving opportunities

Support of clinical research at LIMR helps Main Line Health advance breakthrough clinical trials in oncology, cardiovascular disease and other disorders

LIMR Clinical Research Center (CRC) | $250,000–$750,000 (annually)

Significant funding and naming opportunities exist at LIMR to enhance capabilities at the LIMR Clinical Research Center (CRC). While there is CRC staff support at all Main Line Health acute care hospitals, additional staff and resources are needed to support the ongoing rapid growth in research, especially in the areas of cardiology and cardiac surgery. Needs include:

• Communications to heighten awareness of opportunities for clinicians, nurses and other health professionals to participate in research
• Additional clinical coordinators and administrative managers who would oversee cost analyses, budget and regulatory management and trials on-boarding to allow clinicians to focus on research rather than administrative tasks
• Expansion into areas beyond the present major hubs of oncology, cardiology and cardiac surgery
• Support for research initiatives aimed at testing Main Line Health nurses' inventions emerging as prototypes from Lankenau Ventures

Expanded staffing and resources for the LIMR CRC is vital to engage greater numbers of clinicians and nurses who wish to participate in cutting-edge trials, including testing our own inventions.

Bridge support | $25,000–$75,000 (annually)

Bridge support would provide financial resources to enable investigators at the beginning of their careers to extend their time at LIMR and complete promising research projects.

Support of this type "bridges" research efforts during times between grant funding. Bridge funding support would enable LIMR to better compete with academic research centers that offer similar arrangements aimed at new technicians, post- doctoral candidates and fellows.

Gifts can be made outright or over a five-year period.

Give to LIMR online today

Learn more about other LIMR funding priorities

Cardiovascular Research Systemwide Campaign
Breakthrough Medicines Fund

Learn more about Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, or contact Katie Beddis, Executive Director of Development, Lankenau Medical Center at 484.476.8067 or [email protected].