The Catherine Elizabeth Blair Memorial Foundation has made a $10,000 grant to fund a Phase I Clinical Trial of the JX-594 Vaccinia Virus for Relapsed/Refractory Neuroblastoma.  JX-594 is an oncolytic virus, a new class of cancer agents that utilizes a different way to kill cancer cells.  It is expected to be effective against cancers resistant to conventional surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.  JX-594 is a vaccinia virus that has been genetically engineered to infect, multiply, and kill cancer cells while leaving neighboring healthy cells unharmed.  In addition to direct killing of cancer cells by viral replication, JX-594 expresses a transgene GM-CSF which stimulates the immune system to recognize and destroy the cancer cells.  The results of several Phase I and Phase II adult trials (multiple cancer types) have recently shown evidence of clinical responses, anti-tumor effect and minimal toxicity.  This trial is the first-in-children for this oncolytic virus and will treat advanced/metastatic, unresectable solid tumors refractory to standard therapy.  The trial is initiated by Solving Kids' Cancer, who will provide a matching $10,000 for our grant , thus doubling our impact.  Principal Investigators:  Dr. Timothy Cripe of Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Dr. Chrystal Louis of Texas Children's Hospital/Baylor University.   





For information on applying for a grant from The Catherine Elizabeth Blair Memorial Foundation, please contact us at blairfoundation@gmail.com.