Committed to raising awareness and funds to aid in the eradication of breast cancer

remarkable revolution is rapidly transforming our entireclinical approach to breast cancer as well as other malig-nancies. This revolution is based on three new technologies—gene arrays, proteomics and information technologies—whichtogether will have a profound effect on our management of breast cancer over the coming years.Amongst the most important questions that patients and theirfamilies want answers to are:1.What is the prognosis of my tumor?2.What is the best management regimen for myparticular tumor?Generally the answers to these questions have been based onempiric clinical experience and analysis of a handful of factors, painstakingly gathered one at a time such asestrogen receptor status or the expression of theHER2/neuoncogene on the surface of the breast cancer.With the completion of the human genome project theidentity of virtually all of the expressed genes in human tis-sues has been accomplished. It is now possible to analyze atumor simultaneously for all of the genes expressed by thetumor cells (gene products are messenger RNA moleculeswhich are ‘translated’ into proteins.) Amazingly, ALL of the different RNA molecules that could theoretically bemade by a human cell are ‘spotted’ at different locations ona single slide. Then a sample of the patient’s tumor is used

Volume 5 . Issue 15 . Summer 2003

UPDATE is published three times a year by EXPEDITION INSPIRATION 640 North Main . Box 4289 . Ketchum, Idaho 83340 . Tel 208 726-6456 . Fax 208 725-2091 . E Mail ei@expeditioninspiration.org

www.expeditioninspiration.org

A Messagefrom theScienceAdvisor

to interrogate each of these separate spots and a quantified sig-nal is produced for each of these 30,000 spots. These expressionpatterns can be analyzed NOT based on a single gene or twobut rather on the PATTERN of expression of all the RNAmolecules. These patterns have already been shown to beamazingly predictive for prognosis. In fact, these patterns aremuch better at predicting outcomes than any single analysisdone in the past and are far more accurate than the ‘gold stan-dard’ axillary: lymph node status.Several very large studies are already underway to validate thisapproach and it is not unreasonable to expect these methods tobe in common clinical usage in the next three years. Similarly,the ability to directly analyze the majority of proteins expressedby a tumor (as compared with a single analysis of a singleprotein such as estrogen receptor) is rapidly progressing andthis conceptually very similar approach will also be ready forclinical use shortly.Finally, both of these methodologies are being evaluated fortheir positive predictive value in ascertaining best therapies.It is virtually certain that most of the responsivity of humanbreast cancers to a variety of drugs is dependent upon theproperties of the tumor itself and by analysis of all of theseproperties simultaneously (e.g. the proteins or expressed genes)it is highly likely that far more accurate use of systemictherapy will be possible.

E x p e d i t i o n I n s p i r a t i o n F u n d P . O . B o x 4 2 8 9

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K e t c h u m , I d a h o 8 3 3 4 0

N O N - P R O F I T O R G . U . S . P O S T A G E

P A I D

P E R M I T N O . 6 7 9 B O I S E , I D A H O

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Richard B. Parrish, ChairHeidi Mickelson, Vice-ChairLaurie BarreraMari ClackRonald V. Dorn, MDRoger EvansJulie Gralow, MDBrenda HimelfarbJulie KilgrowNancy KnobleRuss MerrillEve Ruff

STAFF

Katie Powell, Executive DirectorCarol O’Loughlin, Programs ManagerLaurita Crabtree, Finance Manager

MEDICAL BOARD

Julie Gralow, MD, ChairUniversity of WashingtonRonald V. Dorn, MDMountain States Tumor InstituteKathleen Grant, MDCalifornia Pacific Medical CenterJohn Lung, MDMountain States Tumor InstituteRobert E. Vestal, MDClinical Pharmacology Consulting,Boise, IdahoMarc Lippman, MDScience AdvisorUniversity of Michigan

The Expedition Inspiration Fund for Breast Cancer Research is a registered 501(c)(3) public trust foundationcommitted to raising funds and awareness to aid in the eradication of breast cancer while promoting thehealth and well being of those affected by the disease. It is our mission to continue to bring imminentresearchers and advocates together until we have found a cure for breast cancer. (#91-1646381)

PLEASE HELP US!

Let us know if youraddress is not correct, ifyou received duplicatecopies of the UPDATEor want to add a friend.Mail, fax or e-mail us.Thanks!

New Advisory Board Formed

Expedition Inspiration is excited to introduce its new Advisory Board.This group of talented, dedicated people is an excellent addition to ourorganization:

Karyn Blackmore-Hagy

, Westlake Village, CA;

B.J.Dockweiler,

Santa Monica, CA,

Marybeth Flower,

Ketchum, ID;

Kathy Jones,

Ketchum, ID;

Robert Kaplan,

Sun Valley, ID;

Courtney Kapp,

Philadelphia, PA;

Sarah Korda,

MD, Los Angeles, CA;

Lisa McElhinny,

Ketchum, ID;

Emily Roos,

Ketchum, ID;

Peter Whittaker,

Eatonville, WAand

Michele Zousmer,

Rancho Santa Fe, CA.

Welcome.

New Science Advisor

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Wish List

Mac compatible

scannercolor printerdigital camera



Marc Lippman

Tower of Power

rocked the crowd at EI’s 3rd AnnualSummer Concert on July 3rd. Over 1,500 enthusiasticfans brought their picnics and dancing shoes to RiverRun Lodge in Sun Valley, Idaho and raised over$90,000 to support the 8th Annual Laura EvansBreast Cancer Symposium. Tower of Power, anOakland California based band, features an up-frontbrass section that melds funk, jazz soul and rock into ahigh-energy show.A million thanks to all who made this evening possible!Marc Lippman, MD has been appointed as the new ScienceAdvisor for Expedition Inspiration. Julie Gralow, MD, Chair,EI Medical Advisory Board, made the announcement in Marchof this year. Dr. Lippman is currently the John G. SearleProfessor and Chair, Department of Internal Medicine,University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor.Lippman will be taking over the duties as Science Advisor fromSamuel Hellman, MD, who has led the Medical Symposiumsince its inception in 1995. Thank you Dr. Hellman.

Space Available On 2003 Climbs

Check your calendars...there is still time and space available for EI’s 2003Climbs.

Mt. Borah

August 15-17, and the

Adirondack Adventure

isSeptember 14-20. These climbs are a guaranteed great experience for agood cause! Let us know if you need more information.

Still making plans for your2003 summer vacation?

Tower of Power

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