| PART III, LINE 4A - CANCER RESEARCH PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: |
HIGHLIGHTS OF RESEARCH ACCOMPLISHMENTS With support from our generous donors, NFCR-funded scientists have made numerous remarkable advances in the fight against cancer. Their research encompasses a wide variety of fields, many of which could ultimately lead to a cure for this deadly disease. Below are highlights of research accomplishments made by NFCR-funded scientists over the past year. Prevention ---------- Selenium for Immune Health and Cancer Prevention: A well-balanced diet contributes significantly to the maintenance of good health, and NFCR-sponsored researchers have been investigating the links between nutrition and cancer prevention for decades. Their latest research publications have focused on the role of selenium, a nutrient found in certain nuts, fruits, and multi-micronutrient supplements. The body incorporates selenium into specialized compounds and proteins that are not only critical for chemoprevention of cancer, but can also improve the function of immune cells to fight infection or even cancer, directly. While there is no need for healthy people without a deficiency to supplement their selenium intake, for those fighting infections or cancer it may be beneficial. Helmut Sies, M.D. Detection --------- New Biomarkers for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer: Since ovarian cancer usually causes few symptoms before progress to the deadly late stages, it is rarely detected early, earning the name "the silent killer". In cases where it is detected early, however, the cure rate is very high over 92% of women survive 5 years or longer after diagnosis. NFCR scientists are developing new tests that can greatly increase early detection of ovarian cancer, saving patients lives. This includes a new immunoassay to evaluate autoantibodies against TP53 mutant proteins. Its our hope that a strategy combining this new test with existing biomarkers will greatly increase the specificity of ovarian cancer screening, making life-saving tests available to more women. Robert Bast, M.D. Capturing Circulating Tumor Cells: NFCR scientists continue to refine the CTC-iChip, the revolutionary blood test that can capture extraordinarily rare circulating tumor cells from a patients blood sample one tumor cell per billion blood cells expanding its use to patients with breast, lung, and a variety of other cancer types. This test may offer a new tool to rapidly detect and effectively treat invasive cancers in early stages. With further refinements, we hope that this test could one day be used as part of a routine screening for cancer survivors, to detect the return of cancer long before it would otherwise be detected with current procedures. Daniel Haber, M.D., Ph.D. Treatment --------- Making the Connections in Tumor Genetics: There are many different cancer types, but all are connected through the fundamental building blocks of genetics. NFCR-supported scientists have made great strides in deepening our understanding of tumor genetics, for the benefit of patients. This year, as part of an international effort, NFCR scientists discovered that many patients with gastric cancer have mutations in the well-known BRCA2 gene, which means they may benefit from existing treatments for breast cancer. They also discovered a key genetic factor that makes brain tumors resistant to treatment, as well as a genetic biomarker that will help doctors choose whether to pursue early, aggressive treatments for the patients with endometrial cancer who are most likely to benefit. Wei Zhang, Ph.D. New Platform for Rapid Drug Screening: Drug resistance is a devastating problem for cancer patients. Although many genetically targeted drugs are effective at first, they almost always stop working as cancers can activiate so-called "escape pathways". A team of NFCR-supported researchers has developed a new platform that can rapidly identify effective drug combinations for certain lung cancer patients whose tumors have stopped responding to targeted therapy. Using advanced genetics, this team is designing more effective drug combinations to both attack cancer cells and eliminate potential escape pathways. Alice Shaw, M.D., Ph.D. Improving Surgeries for Breast and Skin Cancer: For many breast and skin cancer patients, surgery is the first and most effective treatment option. Too often, however, patients leave the hospital after surgery, only to learn that further testing revealed traces of cancer in the margins of their tissue. NFCR scientists are developing a new advanced molecular imaging probe, which allows surgeons to see within minutes whether the margins of breast cancer lumpectomies are cancer-free, greatly reducing the need to call patients back for a second surgery. James Basilion, Ph.D. Revolutionary Adoptive Immunotherapy: For many years, NFCR scientists have been hard at work developing a revolutionary new approach to treating cancer called adoptive immunotherapy. In this technique, patients own immune cells are collected, and using genetic engineering they are "trained" to recognize and and destroy cancer cells. Early in 2015 a new company, Ziopharm, was launched to translate this immunotherapy approach into new treatments for patients in clinics across the U.S. This is an excellent example of NFCRs unique and successful approach to funding cancer research, the culmination of more than a decade of continuous support that will have a huge impact in the lives of cancer patients. Laurence Cooper, M.D., Ph.D. In Clinics Now in 2015 ---------------------- New Front-line Treatment for Lung Cancer In July 2015, the FDA approved the drug Iressa as front-line treatment for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The approval is extended to only those patients whose tumors contain specific mutations originally identified by an NFCR scientist that make the drug especially effective. NFCR scientists are leading the way in personalized medicine, helping new treatments reach the patients who will benefit the most. Daniel Haber, M.D., Ph.D. New Research Program in 2015 ---------------------------- Thanks to the commitment of our donors, we are able to not only provide critical research funding for our existing programs, but to also advance an entirely new research program that could change the tide against the deadliest brain cancer - glioblastome (GBM). Unprecedented Global Effort to Defeat Glioblastoma GBM AGILE: NFCR has partnered with other international organizations to launch an unprecedented new clinical trial to defeat glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain cancer. This project is truly global, with over 150 participants from more than 40 leading cancer institutions across three continents. It implements a new generation of clinical trial called an "adaptive trial" - which allows patients to be enrolled more quickly, receive treatment with multiple anti-cancer drugs simultaneously, and does not require years of follow-up to determine whether a new experimental treatment is beneficial. This revolutionary "Adaptive, Global, Innovative Learning Environment" offers a more "AGILE" approach to combat this deadly disease. On November 12, 2015, the group announced the formation of this unprecedented international coalition and its plan to enroll patients by mid-2016. |
| PART III, LINE 4B-CANCER EDUCATION TO THE PUBLIC PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: |
NFCR provides the public with free publications containing valuable information on the most up-to-date cancer preventive measures, treatment options, and diagnostic tools. Our powerful message sent to tens of millions of families has helped to assure that fewer of today's healthy individuals will get cancer and more of today's cancer patients will become tomorrow's cancer survivors. Our public education materials include early cancer detection guide, a Childhood Cancer Chart, cancer prevention kits, recipes for healthy living, electronic and printed newsletters, the latest cancer headlines, and in-depth online cancer information. |
| PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2 - DIRECTORS/OFFICERS WITH FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS: |
FRANKLIN SALISBURY, CEO, AND SUJUAN BA, PRESIDENT/COO, ARE HUSBAND AND WIFE. |
| PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B - REVIEW PROCESS OF FORM 990: |
THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH'S PROCESS FOR REVIEWING THE FORM 990. ======================================================================= 1. FORM 990 WILL BE PREPARED AFTER ANNUAL AUDIT IS DONE. 2. THE FIRST DRAFT WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. 3. AFTER RESOLVING ANY QUESTIONS OR UPDATES, THE REVISED DRAFT WILL BE SENT TO BOARD MEMBERS, PREFERABLY ELECTRONICALLY FOR THEIR REVIEW AND COMMENTS. 4. THE BOARD MEMBERS' COMMENTS, IF ANY, WILL BE INCORPORATED IN THE FINAL RETURN. 5. THE RETURN WILL BE FILED WITH THE IRS PRIOR TO THE DESIGNATED DUE DATE OR EXTENDED DUE DATE. 6. THE STATE VERSION WILL BE PROVIDED TO STATES FOR REGISTRATION RENEWALS AND THE PUBIC PORTIONS OF THE RETURN WILL BE POSTED ON THE FOUNDATION'S WEBSITE. 7. IN THE OCCASION THAT THERE IS INSUFFICIENT TIME PRIOR TO FILING FORM 990 TO SHARE IT WITH THE BOARD, OR THERE IS ABSENCE OF AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANY MEANINGFUL REVIEW OF FORM 990 BY THE BOARD PRIOR TO THE FILING DEADLINE, AN ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE FILED RETURN WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BOARD MEMBERS' REVIEW AND COMMENTS AFTER SUBMISSION OF RETURN TO IRS. AN AMENDED RETURN, IF NECESSARY, WILL BE FILED. |
| PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C - CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY COMPLIANCE: |
EACH DIRECTOR, PRIOR TO TAKING HIS/HER POSITION ON THE BOARD, AND ALL PRESENT DIRECTORS SHALL SUBMIT IN WRITING TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD A LIST OF ALL BUSINESSES OR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OF WHICH HE/SHE IS AN OFFICER, DIRECTOR, TRUSTEE, MEMBER, OWNER SHAREHOLDER, EMPLOYEE OR AGENT, WITH WHICH THE FOUNDATION HAS, OR MIGHT REASONABLY IN THE FUTURE ENTER INTO, A RELATIONSHIP OR A TRANSACTION IN WHICH THE DIRECTOR WOULD HAVE CONFLICTING INTEREST ANNUALLY. |
| PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A/15B - OFFICERS COMPENSATION: |
ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, THE BOARD WILL PERFORM A THOROUGH REVIEW TO DETERMINE SUITABLE COMPENSATION. THIS PROCESS INCLUDES ALL OF THE FOLLOWING THREE ELEMENTS. ======================================================================== 1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS: THE COMPENSATION OF EACH OFFICER IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, PROVIDED THAT PERSONS WITH CONFLICTS OF INTEREST WITH RESPECT TO THE COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENT AT ISSUE ARE NOT INVOLVED IN THIS REVIEW AND APPROVAL. EACH OFFICER'S PERFORMANCE IS EVALUATED BASED ON HIS OR HER JOB RESPONSIBILITIES, AND INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL GOALS SET IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. 2. REVIEW OF "COMPARABLE COMPENSATION" DATA: THE COMPENSATION OF EACH OFFICER IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED USING DATA AS TO COMPARABLE COMPENSATION FOR SIMILARLY QUALIFIED PERSONS IN FUNCTIONALLY COMPARABLE POSITIONS AT SIMILARLY SITUATED ORGANIZATIONS. COMPARABLE DATA ARE COMPILED BY THE FOUNDATION'S CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND/OR BY OUTSIDE COMPENSATION CONSULTANTS. COMPARABILITY DATA CAN INCLUDE COMPENSATION DATA FROM IRS FORM 990S OF SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS, PUBLISHED COMPENSATION SURVEYS, STUDIES AND GUIDES, AND OTHER SOURCES DEEMED APPROPRIATE AT THE TIME. 3. DOCUMENTATION AND RECORDKEEPING: THERE IS CONTEMPORANEOUS DOCUMENTATION AND RECORDKEEPING WITH RESPECT TO THE DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS REGARDING THE COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENT. THE RECORD IS KEPT BY THE SECRETARY OF THE FOUNDATION. |
| PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19-AVAILABILITY OF DOCUMENTS, POLICIES AND F/S: |
THE FOUNDATION MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE FOUNDTAION'S WEBSITE. |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.