AGA acknowledges partnership of GCF to support research in gastric, esophageal cancer

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Research Foundation is pleased to announce that it has partnered with the Gastric Cancer Foundation (GCF) to create a new grant to support research in gastric and esophageal cancer. The AGA Institute will match GCF's commitment of $1.125 million, resulting in a $2.25 million endowment to fund young investigators whose research will enhance the fundamental understanding of gastric (stomach) and esophageal cancer pathobiology in order to ultimately prevent or develop a cure for these diseases.

"We are pleased to join with the Gastric Cancer Foundation to create this new research scholar award in gastric and esophageal cancer," said Martin Brotman, MD, AGAF, chair, AGA Research Foundation. "This award will assure that we can fund young investigators who have the best ideas in upper GI cancer research and provide them with the tools needed to continue their research careers for years to come."

The National Cancer Institute estimates that in the U.S. in 2013, 21,600 new cases of stomach cancer and 17,990 news cases of esophageal cancer will be diagnosed, and more than 26,200 Americans will die from these diseases.

"Through our new partnership with AGA, we have a powerful opportunity to fund research that will make a difference in curing stomach cancer," said Wayne L. Feinstein, chairman, Gastric Cancer Foundation. "Despite its fatal consequences, in the U.S., stomach cancer receives just 0.4 percent of federal funding for cancer research. Funding for esophageal cancer is also alarmingly low. We are proud to join with AGA to advance research and carry out our mission."

The AGA-Gastric Cancer Foundation Research Scholar Award in Gastric and Esophageal Cancer will be provided to young researchers at the beginning of their careers who are interested in advancing the understanding of gastric or esophageal cancer for their fellow researchers, patients and the public. Recipients will receive $90,000 per year for three years to protect a major proportion of their time for research focused on better understanding these diseases.