Cedars-Sinai investigator awarded grant to study cell metabolism in childhood sarcomas

Sandra Orsulic, PhD, director of Women's Cancer Biology in the Women's Cancer Program at the Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, was awarded a $250,000 grant from Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation to study cell metabolism in childhood sarcomas.

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, a nonprofit organization, awarded Orsulic the Innovation Award, which provides critical seed funding for experienced investigators with novel and promising approaches to finding causes and cures for childhood cancers.

The Foundation emerged after cancer patient Alexandra "Alex" Scott (1996-2004) announced that she wanted to open a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer.

This grant will support the Orsulic Laboratory and help to identify new therapeutic targets for childhood sarcomas. The team of Cedars-Sinai researchers will study the distinct metabolism of undifferentiated cancer cells, which can be targeted to reverse the differentiation state of cancer cells and reduce tumor growth.

"I feel honored to receive the Innovation Award by this unique foundation that was started by the mission of a 4-year-old girl who battled cancer throughout her short life," said Orsulic. "Though the world lost Alex to cancer, her legacy continues to live, making tremendous impact in the fight against cancer. With this grant, my team of investigators can help to accelerate discoveries and push forward the field of pediatric sarcoma research."

SOURCE Cedars-Sinai