The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation ("TNBC Foundation") is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of Triple Negative Breast Cancer. The Foundation supports scientists and researchers in their efforts to determine the definitive causes of triple negative breast cancer so that effective detection, diagnosis, prevention and treatment can be pursued and achieved.

Since its inception in 2006, TNBC has raised over $600,000 to further this mission. cite web |title=Her fight against breast cancer inspired charity |url=http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2NSZmZ2JlbDdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5NzE3ODg5MCZ5cmlyeTdmNzE3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTQ=
author=Jay Levin
date=2007-08-07
publisher=North Jersey Media Group]

TNBC Foundation: History

The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation was founded in 2006 in honor of Nancy Block-Zenna, a young woman who was diagnosed at age 35 with triple negative breast cancer and died 2 1/2 years later in 2007. In response to Block-Zenna's diagnosis, her close friends launched the TNBC Foundation to raise awareness and support research in the area of triple negative breast cancer.

About Triple Negative Breast Cancer

It is now commonly understood that breast cancer is not one form of cancer, but many different "subtypes" of cancer. [ [http://www.nature.com/nrc/journal/v7/n9/abs/nrc2193.html Modelling breast cancer: one size does not fit all : Abstract : Nature Reviews Cancer ] ] [ [http://mednews.wustl.edu/news/page/normal/6358.html Breast cancer may be several diseases ] ] These subtypes of breast cancer are generally diagnosed based upon the presence or absence of three "receptors" known to fuel most breast cancers: estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). [http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/554234 Log In Problems ] ] The most successful treatments for breast cancer target these receptors. [http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/66261.php 'Triple Negative' Breast Cancers Linked To The Young, Minority ] ]

Unfortunately, none of these receptors are found in women with triple negative breast cancer. A triple negative breast cancer diagnosis means that the offending tumor is estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative and HER2-negative, thus giving rise to the name "triple negative breast cancer." [http://cancer.emory.edu/news/story.php?id=841 News Detail ] ] On a positive note, this type of breast cancer is typically responsive to chemotherapy. [ [http://annonc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/extract/18/1/202 High-dose chemotherapy for triple negative breast cancer - De Giorgi et al. 18 (1): 202 - Annals of Oncology ] ] Because of its triple negative status, however, triple negative tumors generally do not respond to receptor targeted treatments. Depending on the stage of its diagnosis, triple negative breast cancer can be particularly aggressive, and more likely to recur than other subtypes of breast cancer. [http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/13/15/442]

Triple negative breast cancer accounts for approximately 15% of all breast cancer cases. [ [http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=26093 Triple negative breast cancer ] ] It occurs most often in African American and younger women. [ [http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/NCI_Cancer_Bulletin_072407/page7 NCI Cancer Bulletin for July 24, 2007 (HTML) - National Cancer Institute ] ] [ [http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/852571020057CCF685257145006C69FC?OpenDocument&id=48DDE4A73E09A969852568880078C249&c=Breast%20Cancer&count=10 News - Black Women at Higher Risk for Triple-Negative Breast Tumors: Presented at AACR ] ] [ [http://www.forbes.com/health/feeds/hscout/2007/03/26/hscout603073.html Young, Black Women at Higher Risk of Aggressive Breast Cancer - Forbes.com ] ] Because it is a recently recognized form of breast cancer, there is very little known about its pathology. Thus, there is an urgent need for targeted research and better treatment options for this disease.

TNBC Foundation: Organization

OFFICERS

*Hayley Dinerman, Director of Operations
*Allison Axenrod, Executive Director
*Sharon Fredman, Director of Media and Technology
*Andrea Schackner Maline, Director of Business Affairs
*Jennifer K. Sweetwood, Treasurer

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

*Allison Axenrod
*Jonathan Block
*Hayley Dinerman, Chair
*Beth Eimbinder
*Sharon Fredman
*Andrea Schackner Maline

ADVISORY BOARD

Lisa A. Carey, MDAssociate Professor, Medical Oncology and Medical Director,UNC Breast Center of the University of North Carolina,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

George W. Sledge, Jr., MDProfessor of Medicine and Pathology,Ballve Lantero Professor of Oncology,Co-Chair Breast Cancer Program,Indiana University School of Medicine

Eric P. Winer, MDProfessor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Director ofBreast Oncology Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

TNBC Foundation: Fundraising Events

The TNBC Foundation's inaugural fundraiser - "Peace, Love and a Cure" - was held on June 6, 2007 at the Alpine, NJ home of Malaak Compton-Rock and her husband, comedian Chris Rock. The fundraiser drew about 240 people and raised over $230,000. [ [http://www.bergentowns.com/topic_special.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxMiZ5cmlyeTdmNzI3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTc1JnlyaXJ5N2Y3MzdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Mzc2 NorthJersey.com: providing local news, sports & classifieds for Northern New Jersey! ] ]

The 2008 Peace, Love and a Cure fundraiser was held at a private, showcase home in Demarest, NJ on June 11. The second annual fundraiser raised over $360,000 to further the mission of the TNBC Foundation.

On February 6, 2008, the Foundation and Saks Fifth Avenue hosted the first Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation Tea & Talk for Awareness shopping benefit. Guest speakers included Dr. Deborah Toppmeyer, Director of the New Jersey Comprehensive Breast Care Center, and triple negative breast cancer survivor Karen Neely. The talk was moderated by WABC Eyewitness News Anchor Lori Stokes.

The 2007 Triple Negative Breast Cancer Symposium

On December 11, 2007, the TNBC Foundation, along with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, convened one of the first "think tanks" dedicated specifically to triple negative breast cancer. The meeting was held prior to the opening of the annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. [http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS148237+13-Dec-2007+PRN20071213 Researchers From Around the World Gather to Discuss Triple Negative Breast Cancer | Reuters ] ]

Thirty researchers, from leading cancer institutions in North America and Europe, were invited to share information on the latest science, to discuss potential research collaborations and develop a scientific agenda for future research and clinical trials to find effective treatment for women with this subtype of breast cancer. The meeting also marked the first joint effort between TNBC and Susan G. Komen for the Cure to share resources to accelerate research and progress for women who are not benefiting from recent advances in breast cancer research.

The goal of the meeting was to create the first comprehensive publication and white-paper summarizing the "state of the science" with input and authorship from leading researchers from around the world who have been dedicated specifically to this subtype of the disease. The publication will also include a roadmap and recommendations for planning, funding and designing the next level of research with the goal of identifying effective, tailored therapies for these women, thereby further reducing the rates of breast cancer mortality around the world.

Co-chairing the symposium were Allison Axenrod, executive director of TNBC, and Hayley Dinerman, TNBC's director of operations. The program was planned by TNBC's medical advisory board, which includes Dr. Winer as well as Lisa A. Carey, M.D., medical director of the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, and George W. Sledge, Jr., MD, professor of Medicine and Pathology and co-chair of the Breast Cancer Program at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

References

External links

* [http://www.tnbcfoundation.org The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation website ]