melanoma research alliance
TRANSCRIPT
MelanomaResearchAlliance
.
Accelerating Progress: Moving Toward a Cure for Melanoma 2008-2011 Report
I n March, an
immunotherapy called
Yervoy (ipilimumab)
became the first drug
approved by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration
(FDA) in 13 years for
metastatic melanoma. Then the molecularly
targeted agent Zelboraf (vemurafenib), an
inhibitor of a mutated protein found in about
half of melanomas, was approved by the FDA
in August. These breakthroughs underscore
remarkable progress that has been unfolding in
the four years since the founding of the Melanoma
Research Alliance (MRA), a unique organization
whose mission is to find and fund the most
promising research worldwide. MRA is working
to better prevent, detect early and treat deadly
skin cancer, toward a day when no one suffers
or dies from melanoma.
No one person or organization can win the
battle against melanoma alone. We are thankful
to all who have engaged with us in this fight—
researchers, supporters, allies, partners, and more.
This report offers a
retrospective of the four
years since the founding
of MRA, including the
progress we have made,
a highlight of scientific
findings, and a look to
the future of melanoma research. MRA funding has
been vital to unlocking the best treatments and
continues to offer hope for better therapies and
ultimately a cure.
As the pace of progress quickens, MRA is
re-doubling its efforts to accelerate research.
With more than $30 million awarded for promising
research, MRA has catalyzed strategic and collabo-
rative research efforts to discover new biomarkers
of treatment response, demystify drug resistance
mechanisms, and improve effectiveness through
combination therapies. MRA is working with all
who care about defeating melanoma, moving from
“the year of melanoma” to “the year of the
melanoma cure” as quickly as possible.
DEBRA BLACK , co-founder and chairWENDY K.D. SELIG , president and CEO
Our First Four YearsA period of landmark advances in melanoma research and treatment.
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR AND PRESIDENT
“This is clearly the year of melanoma…”George W. Sledge, Jr., M.D., American Society of
Clinical Oncology Past President - June 2011
MRA is a public charity formed in 2007 under
the auspices of the Milken Institute, with generous
founding support from Debra and Leon Black. The
mission of MRA is to accelerate the pace of scientific
discovery and its translation in order to eliminate
suffering and death due to melanoma. Thanks to the
ongoing support of its founders, MRA applies 100
percent of public donations to its research program.
In its first four years, MRA has committed $30.4 million
to 73 research programs with the potential to make
significant, near-term clinical impact in prevention,
diagnosis, staging, and treatment. MRA is the largest pri-
vate funder of melanoma research in the United States.
MRA 2008-2011About MRA 03
About MRAStrategic
$30.4MRA has committed $30.4 millionto 73 research programs. It is thelargest private funder of melanomaresearch in the United States.
MRA research awards provide an important and unique
source of funding that addresses the gap in translational
science, which is a critical stage in moving scientific
discoveries into tools and treatments for patients.
Hallmarks of the MRA research portfolio include:
• Focus on collaborative team science: Team
Science Awards, which fund multidisciplinary research
groups, account for almost three-quarters of research
funding to date, followed by a variety of individual
awards: Established Investigator, Young Investigator,
Pilot/Development Awards, and Partnership Awards.
MILLION
THE FIRST FOUR YEARS
$35
$30
$25
$20
$15
$10
$5
0
GROWTH OF MRA’S RESEARCH PROGRAM
Fun
din
g (
Mill
ion
s)
2011
2010
2009
2008
TOTAL COMMITMENTS BY AWARD TYPE
Partnership ($0.3M)
Established($4.2M)
Pilot/Dev($0.7M)Young
($2.8M)
Team ($22.4M)
Thanks to the ongoing generous support ofits founders, MRA applies 100 percent ofpublic donations to its research program.
114PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS
04 www.curemelanoma.orgStrategic
MelanomaResearchAlliance
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• Investment in developing new treatments
for metastatic disease: Nearly 80 percent of
research funding is directed at melanoma treatment,
followed by diagnosis/staging and prevention. In
particular, MRA is investing significant resources to
improve upon the two new treatment approaches—
immune checkpoint targeting and selective BRAF
inhibition.
• Advances in key scientific and clinical
areas: MRA-funded research has made progress in
all of the key areas of opportunity identified at its
inaugural Call to Action meeting in 2007. Because of
NEARLY 80 PERCENT
About MRAStrategic
Nearly 80 percent of researchfunding is directed at melanomatreatment, followed by diagnosis/staging and prevention.
the rapid progress that has been made, MRA has
updated and revised this agenda for the next four years.
• Support for a diverse group of melanoma
researchers worldwide: MRA is funding 114
Principal Investigators at 56 institutions in 10
countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany,
Israel, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden,
Switzerland, and the United States).
TOTAL COMMITMENTS BY SCIENCE AREA
Diagnosis/Staging($3.7M)Treatment
($24.0M)
Prevention($2.8)
VFCDG8
LB
I
s
UnitedStates
Canada
Europe
Israel
9
NewZealand
MRA 2008-2011Strategic 05
AustraliaWestmeadHerstonMelbourneSydney
BelgiumLeuven
CanadaTorontoMontreal
GermanyFrankfurtHeidelberg
IsraelJerusalemRamat Gan
NetherlandsAmsterdamGroningenLeidenMaastrichtRotterdam
New ZealandWellington
SwedenLund
SwitzerlandZurich
United StatesPhoenix, AZLa Jolla, CALos Angeles, CAOakland, CAPasadena, CASan Francisco, CASanta Monica, CAStanford, CATampa, FLChampaign, IL
Chicago, ILBoston, MACambridge, MABaltimore, MDAnn Arbor, MIDetroit, MISt. Louis, MOPrinceton, NJCold Spring Harbor, NYNew York, NYRochester, NY
Cleveland, OH Philadelphia, PAProvidence, RINashville, TNHouston, TXSalt Lake City, UTCharlottesville, VASeattle, WA
Australia
Global PresenceLocation of Principal Investigators leading MRA-funded awards, 2008-2011
06 www.curemelanoma.orgCollaborative
MelanomaResearchAlliance
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About MRACollaborative
Collaboration is at MRA's core—from the
team approaches to research that it funds
to the way it finds partners who can help
realize its vision. Relationships built with
other nonprofits, corporations, and individuals
continue to increase:
• MRA and Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C) are jointly
funding a Melanoma Dream Team of at least $6
million beginning in early 2012. This ground-
breaking award represents one of the largest single
private grants for melanoma research and the first
collaboration of its kind with SU2C.
• In its first ever such offering, MRA selected two
Academic-Industry Partnership Awards in 2011
that will support projects in conjunction with matched
contributions from an industry partner whose
participation is essential to the project. MRA and the
partner company will jointly support research with a
high likelihood of clinical translation to help patients
and those at risk for melanoma.
• MRA has co-funded research projects with fellow
cancer research foundations, including the Canadian
Cancer Society, Cancer Research Institute, and
Melanoma Research Foundation.
PREVENTION
Funded by an MRA Team Science Award, Drs. NicholasHayward and Nicholas Martin (Queensland Institute ofMedical Research) and Dr. Graham Mann (WestmeadInstitute for Cancer Research and University of Sydney) discovered five new melanoma risk genes that conferredan increased risk of melanoma between 14 and 22 percent. In contrast to other known risk genes, none of
these appear to be associated withphysical characteristics such as fairskin or moles.
Relative contributionof pigmentation and other genes tomelanoma risk
Relative Contribution of Pigmentation and Other Genes to Melanoma Risk
• Through its growing Allies program, MRA has raised
awareness of melanoma and funds for melanoma
research with nearly 50 companies who believe in its
mission. For example, with the help of key Corporate
Allies, including Claire’s, SkinCeuticals, and The
Sports Authority, MRA reached as many as 19 million
people with information about melanoma while
raising nearly $350,000 for melanoma research
during Melanoma Awareness Month in May 2011.
MRA also leveraged its affiliation with the Milken
Institute by hosting an outreach event on the closing
day of the 2011 Global Conference in Beverly Hills.
The event, supported by Corporate Allies Graff,
Montage and Style Network , introduced the work
of MRA to dozens of new supporters. Expanded
collaborations with additional companies that share
the MRA mission, as well as non-profit organizations
like the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital,
are underway.
• When Danny Federici, longtime member of Bruce
Springsteen’s E Street Band, passed away from
melanoma in April 2008, his family and friends
received an outpouring of support. Together with
MRA Co-Founders Debra and Leon Black, they
brought their Danny Fund under the MRA umbrella,
working to bring melanoma to the forefront of
public awareness and to fund research around the
world. Springsteen recorded a public service
announcement to raise awareness of melanoma and
MRA, which aired during the 2009 Super Bowl and in
movie theaters across the country.
MRA 2008-2011Collaborative 07
Through its growing Allies program,MRA has raised awareness ofmelanoma and funds for melanomaresearch with nearly 50 companieswho believe in its mission. MRAreached as many as 19 million peoplewith information about melanomawhile raising nearly $350,000 formelanoma research in May 2011,during Melanoma Awareness Month.
When longtime member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band DannyFederici (center) was diagnosed with melanoma, the Danny Fund was launched.
In just a few years of active research, theproductivity of MRA-funded investigators has been high, as measured by tangible outcomes and promising early researchresults, advancing the understanding of the causes, origins, and progression ofmelanoma and developing new therapies for patients with advanced disease:
• 9 clinical trials supported by MRA to test promising
agents alone and in combination for the treatment of
metastatic melanoma.
• $17.2 million in additional research funding leveraged
from other sources by MRA investigators. The
majority of this funding was granted by the U.S.
National Institutes of Health through a merit-based
peer-review process.
• 13 patent applications filed or new inventions disclosed
for new technologies, which have the potential to be
developed into new tools or treatments for patients.
• More than 100 collaborations initiated and
strengthened between academic, government, and
industry scientists, which enhance sharing of informa-
tion and fast-forwarding of the research.
• More than 50 papers published in high-impact journals
describing research results supported by MRA, which
inform the scientific and clinical communities about
promising new research findings so that others may
build upon the results to help patients.
• Hundreds of presentations delivered by MRA
investigators at medical and scientific meetings
around the world, where research results are shared
and the profile of MRA is enhanced.
08 www.curemelanoma.orgTransformative
About MRATransformative
MelanomaResearchAlliance
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$50
$40
$30
$20
$10
0
INNOVATIVE MRA-FUNDED RESEARCH WINS ADDITIONAL SUPPORT (IN MILLIONS)
Mill
ion
s
leveragedmelanoma
funding
$30.4 MRA investment
$17.2
With an MRA Established Investigator
Award that was leveraged to secure an
NIH grant, Dr. Stephen Hodi (Dana-Farber
Cancer Institute) conducted a Phase I trial
investigating ipilimumab with bevacizumab
in stage IV melanoma patients and worked
to define the mechanism of action for this
synergistic drug combination. Ipilimumab
works to boost the immune system to fight
cancer and bevacizumab blocks the growth
of blood vessels to tumors. Based on this
work, Hodi secured an NIH R21 grant to
continue the trial. In this small group of
patients, some have experienced durable
clinical benefits, and side effects have
been manageable.
Combination Therapies
MRA-Funded Research
At the first gathering of the world's leading melanoma
researchers and clinicians convened by MRA in 2007,
the group identified the crucial scientific and clinical
questions that need to be addressed in order to transform
the field of melanoma prevention, detection and treat-
ment, and to begin to map out concrete ways to effect that
transformation. It has been nearly four years since that
Call to Action meeting and the launch of MRA. In this
short time, MRA has become the largest private funder
of melanoma research, with programs delving into each
of the 17 scientific and clinical questions prioritized by
that distinguished group.
In 2011, MRA released its revised and updated StrategicResearch Plan, which recognizes the enormous strides
that have been made and identifies areas of greatest need
for scientific discovery. The updated research plan will
guide the development of the MRA scientific portfolio
over the next granting cycles.
Research proposals submitted to MRA are reviewed by
MRA’s Grant Review Committee (pages 19-20), a group
of leading experts in melanoma and cancer research.
Review is based on MRA’s key criteria: innovation, scien-
tific merit, and potential for rapid progression to clinical
testing. MRA’s conflict-of-interest guidelines ensure a fair
MRA 2008-2011Accountable 09
About MRAAccountable
and unbiased process. Final funding decisions are
ratified by the MRA Board of Directors.
The MRA Scientific Advisory Panel (pages 19-20)
advises, assists, and makes recommendations to the
MRA leadership team on the scientific matters and
policies of MRA, including research needs and
opportunities that may be targeted for funding and
planning scientific symposia.
Each year, MRA hosts a Scientific Retreat that attracts
more than 150 attendees, including the world’s leading
scientists, as well as senior leaders from nonprofit
foundations, government agencies, industry, and other
key stakeholders. The retreat features focused sessions on
key topics of interest, invited speakers and presentations
from MRA-funded investigators. To summarize the
meeting’s key themes, MRA publishes a report of
highlights. Since its inception, MRA has hosted four major
meetings, with the next one planned for March 2012.
Each year, MRA leadership and staff conduct outreach
and site visits to MRA-funded institutions to learn more
about their melanoma programs, hear about progress
being made thanks to their MRA award funding, and
further develop relationships with awardees.
Above left: Drs. Adrian Senderowicz of AstraZeneca, Richard Pazdur of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, George Demetri of the Dana-FarberCancer Institute, Jonathan Cebon of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne Clinical Sciences Center, F. Stephen Hodi of the Dana-FarberCancer Institute, and Paul Chapman of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center discussed regulatory approval pathways for new melanoma therapies during the 2011 scientific retreat. Above right: Tony Ressler, Debra Black, MRA co-founder and chair, and Michael Milken, MRA board member, listened to presentations at the 2010 scientific retreat.
MRA has become the largest privatefunder of melanoma research.
10 www.curemelanoma.orgStrategic Research Portfolio
MelanomaResearchAlliance
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MRA focuses on innovative translational
research that has the potential to impact melanoma
prevention, diagnosis/ staging, and treatment in the near
and intermediate future.
Prevention: Research focusing on the biological
causative factors in melanoma carcinogenesis includes
studies of skin pigmentation biology and genetic muta-
tions in melanoma driving downstream biochemical
pathways. By investigating the mechanisms involved in
the development of melanoma, this work will inform bio-
logically-based strategies for prevention and therapy.
Diagnosis and staging: There are significant chal-
lenges in diagnosing and staging for primary melanoma.
The current system based on visual clues and histology
is not adequate, particularly in defining metastatic
potential, resulting in either over-treatment or under-
treatment of some patients. New imaging technology
is also needed in the metastatic setting. MRA-funded
Strategic Research PortfolioFunding by Research Area
researchers are working to identify new molecular prog-
nostic biomarkers and to develop better imaging agents.
Treatment: In March 2011, an immunotherapy called
Yervoy (ipilimumab/anti-CTLA-4) became the first
drug approved by the FDA in 13 years for metastatic
melanoma. The molecularly targeted agent Zelboraf
(vemurafenib), an inhibitor of mutant BRAF found
in approximately 50 percent of melanomas, was
approved in August 2011. These breakthroughs
underscore remarkable progress. Yet, these will not
provide cures for most patients, and much more
remains to be done until melanoma is effectively
addressed. MRA is funding key areas to accelerate the
next generation of treatments.
In 2011, Yervoy (ipilimumab/anti-CTLA-4) became the first drug approved by the FDA in 13years for metastatic melanoma.
IMMUNOTHERAPIES
Drs. Antoni Ribas (University of California, Los Angeles) andJames Heath and David Baltimore (California Institute ofTechnology), with funding from an MRA Team Science Award,developed a new tool for improving adoptive T cell transfer thera-py (ACT). Immune cells are very complex and diverse, and currenttechnologies limit the full understanding of how these cells behaveto combat melanoma cells in patients during treatment. This new tool, called a single-cell barcode chip (SCBC) is a complexnanotechnology-based platform that enables researchers for thefirst time to look at the single T cells during ACT treatment.
The SCBC consists of microchannels that contain cellsfrom a patient’s blood sample, valves and ports that isolate the cells and control reagents, and a barcodeglass substrate for protein detection (pictured as red and green lines)
• Immunotherapies: Melanoma is one of the
most immunogenic human cancers and can induce
specific anti-tumor immune responses in patients
that are potentially capable of eliminating tumor
cells. MRA-funded projects include characterizing
immunological signatures of successful therapies,
developing better melanoma vaccine strategies,
and improving adoptive T cell transfer protocols.
MRA has invested nearly $5 million in funding to
research projects aiming to improve melanoma
checkpoint blockade such as elucidating immune
correlates of response and combining these agents
with other therapies.
MRA 2008-2011Strategic Research Portfolio 11
MRA has invested nearly $5 millionin projects to improve melanomacheckpoint blockade and $6 million in BRAF-related studies.
• Molecularly targeted therapies: Targeted
cancer therapies block the growth and spread of cancer
by interfering with specific cellular signaling pathways
involved in tumor growth and progression. MRA is
funding research on therapies directed at multiple
molecular targets in melanoma as well as identifying
drug resistance mechanisms and strategies to overcome
them. MRA is investing $6 million in research involving
BRAF, including discovering drug resistance mecha-
nisms and combining BRAF inhibitors with other agents.
• Combinatorial therapies: Cancers are dependent
on a number of altered molecular pathways and can
develop resistance to single agent therapy; thus, combi-
nation regimens may provide the best hope for durable
effects. MRA-funded studies in this area include
development of two investigation agents and combina-
tions of investigational agents with approved agents.
Drug dramatically helps melanoma patients. “This news about vemurafenib is thelatest in a positive year for melanoma research, and a significant milestone.” Dr. SuzanneTopalian, MRA’s chief science officer, quoted in The Washington Post, June 5, 2011
NUMBER OF MRA-FUNDED PROJECTS IN MELANOMA PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS/STAGING, AND TREATMENT
biological mechanisms of carcinogenesis
developing preventionagents based on studies of ultravioletlight on fair-skinnedindividuals
Prevention
5
2
identifying new biomarkers
supporting skin screening
funding imaging ofmetastases
Diagnosis/Staging
5
2
1
immunotherapy
molecular targets for therapy
combination therapy
Treatment
22
22
14
12 www.curemelanoma.orgStrategic Research Portfolio
MelanomaResearchAlliance
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MRA has funded 24 Teams, 20 Established
Investigators, 19 Young Investigators, 8 Pilot
and Development projects, and 2 Academic-
Industry Partnership Awards.
Team Science Awards fulfill one of MRA’s primary goals:
to foster a collaborative research process. Multidiscipli-
nary teams consist of Principal Investigators with
complementary expertise who may be from the same
institution, inter-institutional, and/or international
institutions. Team science projects promote transforma-
tional melanoma research advances with the potential
for rapid clinical translation.
Established Investigator Awards support senior inves-
tigators with an established record of scientific productiv-
ity and accomplishment and who are past the initial four
years of their first academic faculty appointment.
Young Investigator Awards aim to
attract early career scientists with
novel ideas into melanoma
research, thereby recruiting and
supporting the next generation of
melanoma researchers. Young
Investigators are scientists within
four years of their first academic
faculty appointment. A mentorship
commitment from a senior investigator is required. The
Young Investigator Award Program grew dramatically in
2011 through a focused MRA funding campaign, almost
doubling the cohort and bringing the total program to
$2.8 million awarded to 19 investigators since 2008.
Strategic Research PortfolioFunding by Type of Award
Pilot Awards test potentially transformative ideas that
do not have extensive preliminary data but articulate a
clear hypothesis and translational goals. Resources for
such “high-risk, high-reward” projects are important to
establish proof-of-concept, which may then leverage
additional funding through more traditional avenues.
Development Awards are a subtype in which one year of
funding is provided.
Partnership Awards are designed to facilitate interac-
tions between sectors, including industry and other non-
profit organizations.
“MRA support is critical to starting new lines of research and has a multiplier effect on funding, collaborations, and progress forpatients.” Dr. Patrick Ott, 2009 MRA Young Investigator, New York University
The Young Investigator AwardProgram grew dramaticallyin 2011 through a focusedMRA funding campaign,almost doubling the cohortand bringing the total program to $2.8 million awarded to19 investigators since 2008.
Dr. Patrick Ott, 2009 MRA Young Investigator,New York University
In 2011, MRA unveiled a new logo and
website—www.curemelanoma.org—launching
a new brand that symbolizes its vision for
accelerating the pace of scientific discovery
and translation.
The internet and social media have proven to be
effective ways to reach audiences. The MRA website
receives tens of thousands of visits from people in more
than 100 countries looking for information about MRA,
melanoma, and the latest in research. With more than
2,000 followers on Facebook and Twitter who receive
daily updates on melanoma news, MRA saw a 35 percent
increase in social media followers in 2011.JENNIFER BERRY GOODEN - MISSAMERICA 2006
MRA 2008-2011Outreach 13
Outreach
MelanomaResearchAlliance
.Fast-Forwarding a Cure for Deadly Skin Cancer
JENNIFER BERRY GOODEN
MISS AMERICA 2006
I was 25 years old in March 2009when I realized I needed to go in for my yearly skin check. Therehad been a small spot on my leftankle and every time I looked at it I somehow knew the spot just didn't look right.
During my appointment, the dermatologist told mehe'd like to biopsy the spot. The biopsy showed that it was melanoma.
On the day of the surgery I arrived at the hospital withbutterflies in my stomach. I was given all the scarypotentials as I signed all my consent forms.
After the surgery, they told me that everything hadgone superbly.
www.curemelanoma.org
A week or so later, I got the call telling me the biopsy on my lymph node had come back completely clear. I was cancer free. For the first time in over a month, I could breathe.
I continued to allow my leg to heal, and around the 10-week mark, it finally felt normal again, and I couldwalk. The swelling was gone, and although I had an interesting scar, I was amazed at my body's ability to heal.
This entire experience changed my life forever. I now visit the dermatologist and my surgeon every three to six months. This will be a part of my life forever. Butthese small inconveniences are well worth the chance to live and be cancer free.
I wear sunscreen every single day, and the days of lying out in the sun are long gone. But I am embracing my skin and don't take healthy skin for granted.
MelanomaResearchAlliance
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MRA saw a 35 percent increasein social media followers in 2011.
http://www.melanomaresearchalliance.org/about_melanoma/about.taf?cat=stories
yielded $5 million, all of which is
funding transformative melanoma
research programs. The dinner
featured a live auction led by Jamie
Niven, Sotheby’s chairman of North
and South America, an exclusive
preview of Impressionist and Modern
Art, and the opportunity to meet with some of the most
forward-thinking minds in cancer research. A highlight of
the auction came when supporters pledged sponsorship
for nine Young Investigator awards, nearly doubling the
number of these awards funded by MRA to date.
Wendy Selig hosted a panel that featured (left to right) Dr. JonathanSimons, president and CEO of theProstate Cancer Foundation, Dr. JohnMendelsohn, president of The Universityof Texas MD Anderson Cancer, GregoryLucier, chairman and CEO of LifeTechnologies, Jill Kargman, author of"Sometimes I Feel Like a Nut,” and Amy Harmon, Pulitzer Prize-winningreporter for The New York Times
14 www.curemelanoma.orgOutreach
MelanomaResearchAlliance
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At the Sotheby’s benefit dinner, Dr. Padmanee Sharma discusseshow her MRA Young Investigator Award advanced her researchto better treat melanoma patients..
Outreach
MRA leadership reaches out to a broad audience through
conferences and panel discussions that focus on
melanoma and lessons from this field that can be applied
to other areas of medical research. For example, the 2011
Milken Institute Global Conference included an MRA
panel, "Exploring the Frontiers of Medicine: How We Will
Save Lives from Cancer.” The session was moderated
by Wendy Selig, MRA’s president and CEO. The panel
used melanoma as a case study to discuss innovative
approaches to cancer research and treatment.
MRA also expands its reach by hosting gatherings
across the country throughout the year to engage new
people and elevate the importance of melanoma
among various audiences.
Patient advocates, philanthropists,
scientists, and Corporate Allies
convened for the first annual MRA benefit dinner at
Sotheby’s in New York City on Oct. 28, 2010. The event
MRA 2008-2011Outreach 15
YOUNG INVESTIGATORS INCREASED A highlight of the Sotheby's eventauction came when supporterspledged sponsorship for nineYoung Investigator awards, nearlydoubling the number of theseawards funded by MRA to date. 10 19
Design Center. MRA Young Investigator, Dr. Roger Lo
from UCLA, gave a brief overview of his research and how
MRA has dramatically improved the field for young
doctors and researchers. The luncheon concluded with
board member, Maria Bell, sharing her personal experi-
ences with melanoma. The event introduced over 150
women in the Los Angeles area to the MRA and raised
critical funds for research.
In December
2010, Cartier's
president and CEO, Emmanuel
Perrin, and vice president of
retail, Mercedes Abramo, co-
hosted a holiday celebration
with MRA chair and co-founder,
Debra Black, and MRA board
member, Susan Hess, honoring
MRA. The event was held at the
Cartier Mansion in New York
City and was a spectacular evening. In addition to the
many events Cartier hosts in honor of MRA, the company
also supports Dr. Remco van Doorn at Leiden University
Medical Centre, through the Cartier—MRA Young
Investigator Award.
Christie's is a long term MRA partner
and collaborator. The company has
engaged with MRA in a variety of
awareness and fundraising initiatives including support
of Dr. Christian Blank at the Netherlands Cancer
Institute through the Christie's —MRA Young
Investigator Award.
A highlight of this collaboration came as Chairman of
Christie's Americas, Marc Porter joined with Wells Fargo
to co-host the first official Los Angeles showing of the
traveling Elizabeth Taylor exhibit in April 2011. The exhibit
featured Ms. Taylor's jewelry collection and was followed
by a luncheon in honor of MRA at the MOCA Pacific
MRA co-founder Debra Black (right) and Board Member Maria Bellattend the Christie's LA luncheon in honor of MRA.
Debra Black, MRA co-founderand chair, and EmmanuelPerrin, Cartier's president andCEO, at Cartier's 2010 holidaycelebration honoring MRA.
Outreach
DIAGNOSISAND STAGING
While most earlystage melanomasare cured with surgery, some recurand metastasizeeven after removalof the primary tumor.MRA EstablishedInvestigator Dr.Lynda Chin (then at Dana-Farber CancerInstitute, now at MDAnderson CancerCenter) identified six “proinvasion oncogenes” that are signifi-cantly overexpressed in metastatic lesions compared to primarymelanomas in preclinical models. The protein expression level ofone of them, called APC5, was correlated with shorter survivalof melanoma patients and, thus, may be a prognostic biomarkerin human melanomas. This work is being clinically developed bya company to build prognostic tests based on the molecularcharacteristics of early stage melanoma.
16 www.curemelanoma.orgLooking Ahead
MelanomaResearchAlliance
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Although melanoma poses many
difficult challenges, MRA and its
funded researchers are making
significant progress toward develop-
ing better diagnostic and preventive
measures, improved treatments,
and a deeper understanding of this
complex and deadly disease.
The recent advances in the development of
new therapeutic approaches have generated
excitement and optimism for a better outlook
for melanoma patients. With the significant
infusion of research funding from MRA,
investigators are finding ways to improve upon
these results as well as create new strategies
to combat melanoma. MRA seeks to engage all
stakeholders in working toward a day when no
one suffers or dies from melanoma.
Looking Ahead
MOLECULARLY TARGETED THERAPY
Approval of vemurafenib, an inhibitor of mutant BRAF involved in about half ofmelanomas, is a major breakthrough. While this drug has benefitted some patients,most relapse due to drug resistance. Research suggests that secondary mutationsin BRAF are not a common cause of resistance to BRAF inhibitors, but that multipleother mechanisms may be playing a role. Melanoma cells have additional ways to survive and grow, and emerging research has identified mutations and alterationsin genes and proteins involved in resistance. It is likely that others remain to beidentified and confirmed in patients. An MRA Team Science Award acceleratingresearch to solve this problem is being led by Drs. David Solit and Paul Chapman(Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center), Hensin Tsao, David Fisher, and KeithFlaherty (Massachusetts General Hospital), Michael Davies (MD Anderson CancerCenter), Roger Lo (University of California, Los Angeles), Katherine Nathanson
(University of Pennsylvania),and Jeffrey Sosman(Vanderbilt University).
ACP5 protein expression is greatest in melanomametastases compared with primary melanomasand benign nevi.
BRAF mutant melanoma cells have highly altered genomicprofiles, including loss of a tumor suppressor gene calledPTEN on chromosome 10 (white=copy number neutral;blue=copy number loss; red=copy number gain)
Benign Nevus PrimaryMelanoma
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MRA 2008-2011Financials 17
Financials(as of Dec. 31, 2010)
Thanks to the generous ongoing
support of its founders, 100 percent
of public donations to MRA directly
support melanoma research.
The independently audited financial
statements of Melanoma Research Alliance
Foundation form the basis for the following
information.
Assets 12/31/2010 12/31/2009 12/31/2008
Cash and Cash Equivalents $6,661,152 $2,228,522 $110,296 Investments - - 2,878,106 Accounts Receivable 55,025 - - Contributions Receivable 9,468,362 - - Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets 517,846 10,000 - Property and Equipment (Net) 5,395 5,116 -
Total Assets $16,707,780 $2,243,638 $2,988,402
Liabilities and Net Assets
Liabilities: Accounts Payable and Accrued
Liabilities 59,716 54,478 67,921 Due to Affiliate 10,281 291 286,735 Deferred Revenue 25,000 - - Deferred Rent 9,680 10,057 -
Total Liabilities 104,677 64,826 354,656
Net Assets:Unrestricted 6,249,741 2,178,812 2,633,746 Temporarily Restricted 10,353,362 - -
Net Assets 16,603,103 2,178,812 2,633,746
Total Liabilities and Net Assets $16,707,780 $2,243,638 $2,988,402
2010 FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES
Non-Grants ScientificProgram
5.7%
Managementand General
3.6%
Fundraising2.1%
Grants and Awards Program
88.6%
18 www.curemelanoma.orgFinancials
MelanomaResearchAlliance
.
Financials(as of Dec. 31, 2010)
Statement of Activities
Revenues, Public Support 2010 2009 2008 and Other Income
Contributions (including Founders’ Gift) $18,563,318 $6,533,950 6,001,150 Special Events 5,025,867 - - Investment Income (Loss) (Net) 25,642 8,718 106,106
Total Revenues, Public Support 23,614,827 6,542,669 6,107,256 and Other Income
Functional Expenses:
Program Services: Grants 8,668,371 6,828,183 3,423,577
Fundraising 194,989 - - Management and General 327,176 169,420 49,933
Total Functional Expenses 9,190,536 6,997,603 3,473,510
Change in Net Assets 14,424,291 (454,934) 2,633,746
Net Assets - Beginning of Year 2,178,812 2,633,746
NET ASSETS - END OF YEAR 16,603,103 2,178,812 2,633,746
Board of Directors
• Debra Black, Chair, MRA Co-Founder, Broadway Producer, Melanoma Survivor
• Leon Black, MRA Co-Founder, Board Member Faster Cures, CEO Apollo Management LP
• Maria Bell, Head Writer and Co-Executive Producer/Head Writer, The Young & the Restless
• Jason Federici, Art Director, Graphic Designer, Photographer
• Jami Gertz, TV and Film Actress• Susan Hess, Vice Chairman, Whitney Museum• Michael Klowden, President and CEO,
Milken Institute• Connie Mack, Senior Policy Advisor, Liberty
Partners Group LLC; Former U.S. Senator• Nancy Marks, Artist• Michael Milken, Chairman, Milken Institute;
Founder and Chairman, Faster Cures; Founder and Chairman, Prostate Cancer Foundation
• Richard Ressler, Founder, Orchard Capital Corporation and CIM Group
• Henry Silverman, Non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, Realogy Corporation; Senior Advisor, Apollo Global Management; Former Chairman and CEO, Cendant Corporation
• Greg Simon, SVP Worldwide Policy, Pfizer, Inc.• Jonathan W. Simons, M.D., President and CEO,
David H. Koch Chair, Prostate Cancer Foundation; Professor, Biomedical Engineering and Material Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, NCI Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence
• Jonathan Sokoloff, Managing Partner, Leonard Green and Partners, L.P.
• Elizabeth Stanton, President, Elizabeth and Oliver Stanton Foundation
• Wendy Selig, President and CEO, MRA• Margaret Anderson, Secretary
Executive Director, Faster Cures• Kamyab Hashemi-Nejad
Treasurer, Director of Finance, Milken Institute
Scientific Advisory Panel
• Elizabeth A. Grimm, M.D., Frances King Black Memorial Professorship of Cancer Research and Deputy Chair, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Martin Mihm, M.D., Director, Melanoma Program in Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital; Associate Director, Melanoma Program, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center
• Donald Morton, M.D., Chief, Melanoma Program; Director, Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program, John Wayne Cancer Institute
• Neal Rosen, M.D., Ph.D., Enid A. Haupt Chair in Medical Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
• Steven Rosenberg, M.D., Chief, Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute (Dr. Rosenberg serves on the MRA Scientific Advisory Panel in his personal capacity)
• Wendy K.D. Selig, President and CEO, MRA• Suzanne Topalian, M.D., Professor of Surgery and
Oncology, Johns Hopkins Medicine; Director, Melanoma Program, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University; Chief Science Officer, MRA
Grant Review Committee
• Jonathan Cebon, M.B.B.S., F.R.A.C.P., Ph.D., Director of Medical Oncology, Austin Health, Head Cancer Vaccine Laboratory, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Professor of Medicine, University of Melbourne
• Meenhard Herlyn, D.V.M., D.Sc., Professor of Dermatology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania; Chairman, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Wistar Institute
MRA 2008-2011Committees 19
20 www.curemelanoma.orgCommittees
MelanomaResearchAlliance
.
• James Allison, Ph.D., Chair of Immunology Program; Director of Ludwig Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
• Boris Bastian, M.D., Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco
• Marcus Bosenberg, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Dermatology and Pathology, Yale School of Medicine
• Steven Burakoff, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Professor, Oncological Sciences, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
• Paul Chapman, M.D., Attending Physician, Melanoma/Sarcoma Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Professor of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University
• Tanja de Gruijl, Ph.D., Associate Professor, VU University Medical Center
• Charles Drake, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor - Oncology, Immunology and Urology; Director - Multidisciplinary Prostate Cancer Clinic, Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Glenn Dranoff, M.D., Director, Human Gene Transfer Laboratory Core, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• David Fisher, M.D., Ph.D., Chief, Department of Dermatology; Director, Melanoma Program, MGH Cancer Center; Director, Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital; Edward Wigglesworth Professor of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School
• Allan C. Halpern, M.D., Chief, Dermatology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
• Thomas Hornyak, M.D., Ph.D., Chief, Dermatology, VA Maryland Healthcare System; Associate Professor of Dermatology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine
• Michal Lotem, M.D., Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Kiryat Hadassah
• Richard Marais, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Oncology, The Institute of Cancer Research
• Kim Margolin, M.D., Physician, University of Washington/Seattle Cancer Center
• Glenn Merlino, Ph.D., Chief, Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute,
• Stan Riddell, M.D., Member, Department of Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
• Jonathan Simons, M.D., President and CEO, David H. Koch Chair, Prostate Cancer Foundation
• David Solit, M.D., Assistant Member, Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Elizabeth and Felix Rohatyn Chair for Junior Faculty
• Howard Soule, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Discovery and Translation, Prostate Cancer Foundation
• Suzanne Topalian, M.D., MRA Chief Science Officer,Professor of Surgery and Oncology, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Director, Melanoma Program, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Michael Weber, Ph.D., Director, Cancer Center, Weaver Professor of Oncology, University of Virginia
Donors* Multi-year support
$500,000 and Above---Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP*The Jeffrey A. Altman Foundation*Anonymous*Debra and Leon Black* Gagosian Gallery Rahr Enterprises*Jami Gertz and Tony Ressler*The Ressler Family Foundation*Sokoloff Family Trust*
$250,000-$499,999---The Carson Family Charitable Trust*Credit Suisse*Ellen and Gary Davis Foundation*Caryl and Israel Englander O'Melveny & Myers LLP PricewaterhouseCoopers*Elizabeth and Oliver Stanton Foundation*US Trust/Bank of America*Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz*
$100,000-$249,999---Donna and William Acquavella Aon Risk Services*Katie and Todd Boehly*Sunny and Norman Brownstein Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber & Schreck*Cartier Christie's Deloitte*Hess Foundation, Inc. Latham & Watkins, LLP*Susan and Martin Lipton Nancy and Howard Marks Montage Hotels & Resorts Morgan Stanley*Jane and Daniel Och Family Foundation Lizanne and Barry Rosenstein The Lawrence and Carol Saper Foundation, Inc.*Sony Music Merryl and James Tisch
$50,000-$99,999---Barclays CapitalCiti Global BankingErnst & Young LLP*Larry GagosianGeneral Nutrition CorporationJudy and John HannanGail and Carl IcahnJPMorgan Chase & Co.The LeBow FamilyJane Goldman and Benjamin LewisMintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.E.*Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP*Jenny and John PaulsonSkinCeuticalsSusan and Eric SmidtSotheby'sKatherine and Jerry SpeyerThe Thompson FamilyAndrew H. & Ann R. Tisch FoundationThe Winnick Family Foundation
$25,000-$49,999---Debbie and Mark AttanasioEmily and Len BlavatnikThe Brown Foundation, Inc.Kathryn and Kenneth ChenaultCiti Private Wealth ManagementSir Ronald Cohen and Sharon Harel-CohenSusan and Peter EvensenFribourg Family FoundationGenentech, Inc.The Perry & Martin Granoff Family Foundation, Inc.The Joshua & Marjorie Harris Family FoundationKristy and Robert HarteveldtSuzette and Steven KolitchMarie Josee & Henry R. Kravis FoundationJo Carole and Ronald LauderRichard S. and Karen LeFrak Charitable Foundation, Inc.Live4Life Foundation, Inc.Janet Wallach and Robert MenschelMyriam Barenbaum and Jonathan F. MillerMorgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLPKate and Robert NiehausSandy and Paul NormanPfizer Inc.The Raiff FoundationDaryl & Steven Roth FoundationRowan Family Foundation, Inc.Lily SafraAndree and Howard ShoreTG Holdings, Ltd.UBS Financial ServicesThe Viola FundWagner Family Foundation
MRA 2008-2011Donors 21
22 www.curemelanoma.orgDonors
MelanomaResearchAlliance
.
Leslie and Daniel Ziff$5,000-$24,999---AnonymousLaura AnrederRenee and Richard BaraschBaron Capital FoundationDror Bar-ZivThe Bell Family Foundation, Inc.Milton BerlinskiJill and Jay BernsteinBarbara and James BlockAlison Mass and Sal BommaritoThe Daniel & Estrellita Brodsky Family FoundationChristian DiorChantal and Stephen CloobeckJoyce and Barry CohenConcerts East, Inc.Vanessa and Henry CornellJim Ehrlich Memorial Family Foundation, IncPamela and Jimmy FinkelsteinSusan and Richard FriedmanAndrew GnGolden Door SpaAudrey and Martin GrussMimi and Peter Haas FundAshley Leeds and Christopher HarlandHenry Crown and CompanyHerring Finn FoundationRonnie F. HeymanCaroline P. Hirsch FoundationHudson NewsAdam KalishRobin and Joel KassimirGeorge KleinEvelyn and Leonard LauderJames B. Lee, Jr.Lorber Charitable FundLuxembourg DayanMerkin Family FoundationKen & Julie Moelis FoundationMargo and Jimmy NederlanderThe New York Community TrustNortheast Theater GroupPhRMALeon Polsky and Cynthia Hazen PolskyPeggy and Gary ReinerThe Reiss Family FoundationJonathan ResslerJacqueline and Mortimer SacklerMary and David SolomonThe Thomas Spiegel Family FoundationAmbassador Carl Spielvogel and Dr. Barbaralee Diamonstein-SpielvogelRuth StantonAlison and Leonard SternBeatrice SternThe Sternlicht Family Foundation, Inc.Jennifer and David Stockman
Dana Hammond and Patrick StubgenBarbara and John VogelsteinGregg S. WeinsteinBrigitte and Alain WertheimerPatty Newburger and Brad WechslerChef Michael White
$1,000-$4,999---A G FoundationAnn and Steven AmesJudith and John AngeloAnonymousAnonymousAnthony AufieroSusan and William BelfioreBiotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)BRELLIMichele and Martin CohenRobert de RothschildJean DoumanianPhillip DunnTherese Wareham and Merrick ElfmanJason FedericiOlivia and Adam FlattoBruce GlassmanGoldberg/Nash Family FoundationDeborah and Allen GrubmanHard Rock Cafe Foundation, Inc.The Hedges FamilyHuberfeld Family FoundationJanklow FoundationLiz Robbins and Doug JohnsonSusan Scott and Robert J. KaufmanMitchell KlineLA Smooch LLCJoel Lawson, IVNinah and Michael LynneMadison CoxRoxanne and Andrew MajkaMichael MargitichMizel International Cultural FundCarol MorganThe Daniel M. Neidich and Brooke Garber FoundationThe New York Community TrustJill and Mark Rachesky Charitable FoundationDenise RadeskyRedburn Partners USA LPEllen and Bruce ResslerFiona and Eric RudinJane and Ned SadakaDenise and Andrew Saul FoundationSchlosstein-Hartley Family FoundationJean and Martin ShafiroffMia and Sheldon SolowSource of Hope FoundationJane and James SpingarnPamela Sztybel and Elliott Stein
Thomas D. & Denise R. Stern Family FoundationMatthew StopnikFern and Lenard TesslerC. George van Kampen FoundationLauren and John VeronisMarla and Craig WassermanCarol & Michael Weisman Family Charitable TrustWellNestConstance and Sankey WilliamsLucy Halperin and Jerold ZaroMarcie and Howard Zelikow
SupportersAltamarea GroupAnreder & CompanyAxcess Luxury & LifestyleBirds Nest FoundationBloomberg LPCasa DragonesChapstickChâteau d'AussièresCIM Group Inc.Danny FundEntertainment Industry FoundationFasterCuresPatricia and Michael KlowdenLos Angeles County Museum of ArtLux Capital Management, LLCMarissa Alperin StudiosThe Milken InstituteLori and Michael MilkenMuseum of Contemporary Art, Los AngelesNGK GlobalSirius Satellite RadioBruce Springsteen & the E Street BandThe Style NetworkTribeca EntertainmentDavid Yurman
Staff• Wendy K.D. Selig, President and CEO• Suzanne Topalian, M.D., Chief Science Officer• Laura M. Brockway-Lunardi, Ph.D.
Scientific Program Director• Lauren C. Leiman, Development Director• Karen Rogers, Communications Manager• Ilyona Carter, Executive and Projects Assistant
MRA 2008-2011Support & Staff 23