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Salivary Gland Cancer

Our Impact

Adenoid cystic carcinoma

“The funding from Cycle for Survival has been instrumental as we search for treatments to help people with ACC. I thank the donors and participants for their outstanding support.”
Alan L. Ho, MD, PhD
Head and Neck Oncology Service

Problem

There is no standard proven treatment for adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), which is a type of salivary gland cancer. ACC is typically in the head and neck, and can spread to other parts of the body along nerves or through the bloodstream.

Number of new ACC diagnoses in
the U.S. each year:

1,200 (source: Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation)

Idea

Dr. Alan Ho is investigating ways to inhibit the growth of tumors in patients with recurrent or metastatic ACC.

How

Two Phase II trials are currently underway: one tests MK-2206 and the other Regorafenib. Both drugs interfere with tumor growth by inhibiting different cancer targets that are critical for tumor proliferation and spread. The MK-2206 trial has completed enrollment, while the Regorafenib study is continuing to accrue patients.

What's next

Dr. Ho is analyzing tissue to: better understand ACC biology; pinpoint how the drugs are impacting the disease; and attempt to correlate these markers to patient outcomes on the trials.

You should know:

  • Cycle for Survival funding was instrumental for making both the MK-2206 and Regorafenib trials possible.
  • The Regorafenib trial is currently enrolling with a goal of including 38 patients total.
  • Dr. Ho’s success in receiving research support from the Conquer Cancer Foundation and NIH was in large part made possible by Cycle for Survival providing timely support for these ACC research efforts.
  • Dr. Ho is working to build on the preliminary findings from the MK-2206 trial to develop new drug combinations for ACC patients.
  • None of this progress would be possible without Cycle for Survival donors and participants who fund cutting-edge trials that combat cancer.

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2014 Funding
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