Launched January 8 — the NLMSF Patient-Caregiver Circle of Hope Roundtable, a community “think tank” that brings together sarcoma patients and families alongside other patient advocacy foundations to identify and prioritize unmet needs in treatment and care, and to develop strategies that improve the overall patient experience.
Continued to host numerous Patient-Family/Caregiver Virtual Programs, all posted on our website for everyone to find and learn more about important updates in the LMS cancer journey.
Marisa Nucci, M.D. (Boston, MA) — Exploiting High-throughput Deep Learning to Improve Uterine Leiomyosarcoma Diagnostics (Deep ULMS).
Robert J. Canter, M.D. (Sacramento, CA) — Pre-Clinical Evaluation of Placental-Derived Natural Killer (NK) Cells to Target Leiomyosarcoma.
Frederic Amant, M.D. (Belgium) — Exploiting the Immunomodulatory Effect of PI3K/mTOR Inhibitors to Improve Immunotherapy Response in Leiomyosarcoma.
Continued support of the LMS SPORE (Specialized Programs of Research Excellence) — translational LMS research led by the Rogel Cancer Center with an international team, endorsed and supported by the NIH/NCI.
Launched TARGET LMS Imaging to advance novel imaging strategies for leiomyosarcoma. The TARGET Project was initiated by Dr. Scott Okuno (Mayo Clinic) as an outgrowth of the most recent International LMS Research Roundtable.
Awards for Young Researchers
The Brian Van Tine, MD — Memorial Peer Recognition Award for Excellence in LMS Research
The Early Career Award — for young researchers to encourage them to continue in LMS-specific research
Both awardees are required to attend the annual International LMS Research Roundtable and to actively participate in one of the existing Roundtable workgroups.
Research Collaborations
TARGET Taskforce — initiated by Dr. Scott Okuno, Mayo Clinic, as an offshoot of the International LMS Research Roundtable, to review existing literature on known targets for LMS treatment and make recommendations for industry partners to pursue.
TRACER Project — collaborative partnership with the Gujral Lab of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, for a 2026 launch for patients to participate. Coordination with CURE ID (FDA) continues for an additional taskforce initiative for Repurposing Drugs for Sarcoma.
Community Information & Resources
Snapshot News — an additional short-read newsletter for research, well-being, and resource updates, sent on alternate weeks with the longstanding Community Connections newsletters.
Added companion lay-language explanations of technical research articles to help patients understand study updates and clinical trial implications.
New research/clinical trials site launching in 2026 at lmsresearch.net, including an accessible Patient Portal.
Refreshed www.nlmsf.org for improved navigation and expanded support resources.
A collaboration with the Foundation to create crocheted chemo blankets, matching head coverings, and optional mittens for patients going through chemotherapy — every stitch symbolizes hope, encouragement, caring, and compassion for a patient's journey.
