Foundation continues support for brain cancer research
The Audley Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation backs Dr. Daniela Bota's search for a glioblastoma cure
June 07, 2023
Since 2021, when The Audley Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation
began providing support, UCI Health neuro-oncologist Dr. Daniela
Bota has led 29 innovative drug and vaccine trials.
UCI Health and neuro-oncologist Dr. Daniela A. Bota, MD are pleased to receive a third consecutive grant from The Audley Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation to support research to find a cure for brain cancer, especially glioblastoma.
The award and the foundation’s continuing support reflects the deep need for basic science and clinical research into new treatments for glioblastoma, a deadly form of brain cancer with no cure. This aggressive disease affects about 200,000 people a year, and it has taken the lives of U.S. Sen. John McCain, President Joe Biden’s son Beau Biden and rock drummer Neil Peart, to name a few.
“Patients with glioblastoma have a poor prognosis with a high rate of recurrence after initial treatment,” said Bota, medical director of the UCI Health Comprehensive Brain Tumor Program, professor of neurology and vice dean for clinical research in the UCI School of Medicine. She also directs the UCI Alpha Clinic, the clinical research arm of the UCI Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center.
“There is a pressing need to develop new treatments that extend patients’ lives and improves their quality of life.”
“Breakthroughs are only possible because of the generous support of donors such as The Audley Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation,” Bota said. “I thank them for their inspiring dedication and commitment to improve and extend the lives of those battling brain cancer.”
Since 2021, when The Audley Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation began providing support, Bota has led 29 innovative drug and vaccine trials for the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and UCI Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center including a variety for patients with glioblastoma.
Other achievements include:
- Marizomib, a compound Bota developed as a potential glioblastoma treatment, reached a phase 3 clinical trial with 700 participants across the world.
- The team completed their participation on a third phase of clinical trials with DCVax, a novel immunotherapy vaccine that has shown tremendous promise for improving survival among glioblastoma patients. The results, published in JAMA Oncology, are widely heralded.
- ERC1671, a vaccine for glioblastoma developed in collaboration with Bota, has received fast-track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is being evaluated for approval in the U.S., Europe and the United Kingdom. The Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center is the primary institution for this worldwide clinical investigation.
- Bota was instrumental in leading the way to include glioblastoma in the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) refunding bill, which brought $5.5 billion to support stem cell research in California.
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Interested in supporting Dr. Daniela Bota’s work to find a cure for glioblastoma? Visit bit.ly/UCIBrainTumor or email joy.kliewer@uci.edu
