Fanconi anemia (FA) patients show an increased predisposition to squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Tumors, being complex cellular ecosystems, are composed of a myriad of different cell types including malignant cells, infiltrating immune cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. Interactions among these cell types can determine the...
Supported Research
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Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare inherited bone marrow failure syndrome characterized by chromosomal abnormalities and increased susceptibility to cancer. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation is currently the only treatment for bone marrow failure, but its use is limited by the need for a suitable donor...
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Correcting FA mutations in all cells of the body may prevent issues such as bone marrow failure and cancer in people with FA. Since mutations in FA genes start during the gestational process, the ideal time to correct genes may be in utero. The goal...
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Studying a rare disease such as Fanconi anemia is challenging: data must be captured from as many treatment locations as possible. No single institution can have a breakthrough; it requires sharing as much data as possible from as many individuals as possible. Since 2015, Data...
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Individuals with FA have a higher risk of developing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HSNCC) at young ages. Long-term survival rates remain low because often these patients cannot tolerate conventional chemotherapy and radiation treatments due to issues related to toxicity. This study is the...
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The FA population carries a high risk for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oropharyngeal and anogenital regions connected with high morbidity and mortality. In addition to intrinsic genetic instability, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and a number of other factors contribute to the pathogenesis...
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This team will facilitate collaborations between all current and future participants of the Fanconi Anemia Cancer Consortium (FACC). The goal is to gather information and samples from past, present, and future patients to fully understand how tumors develop in FA patients and facilitate new prevention...
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Researchers will run samples collected by brushing lesions through an automated system to detect abnormal DNA content and malignant changes. By identifying high-risk lesions, closer follow-up and early intervention can be used to prevent malignancies. The goal is to establish a centralized lab at BC...
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Laboratory models of FA head and neck cancer are lacking and represent a major barrier to identifying more effective treatments. We helped pioneer the creation of patient-derived xenografts (PDX) from head and neck cancers and have developed the first PDX from a head and neck...
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Typical treatments for cancer involve conditioning that damages DNA and can therefore be harmful for people with Fanconi anemia, who cannot repair DNA. Researchers are testing drugs using patient-derived xenografts (tumors from patients that are grown in mice) to find a way to kill FA...
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Institution: Laboratorio de Citogenetica, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, México Area of expertise: Medical genetics, dysmorphology. My work: I am a medical geneticist from Mexico City, introduced to the field of Fanconi anemia (FA) by my mentor, Dr. Sara Frias, whom...
At the Fanconi Cancer Foundation (FCF), we understand the critical importance of addressing mental health alongside physical health for individuals with Fanconi anemia (FA) and their family caregivers. Recent research on the mental health challenges faced by adults with FA...
The 36th Annual Fanconi Anemia (FA) Scientific Symposium and Adult Retreat took place in Charlotte, North Carolina in September 2024, and brought together researchers, clinicians, advocates, individuals with FA and community members from across the globe. This year’s theme, “It Takes...