The Bardo Foundation: A Proud Partner in the Fight Against Osteosarcoma

The Bardo Foundation is thrilled to announce its collaboration with the Myrovlitis Trust in co-funding this pioneering pilot study. As strong supporters of innovative research and enhanced treatment alternatives, both organizations acknowledge the enormous potential of cancer immunotherapy for osteosarcoma patients. By joining forces with the dedicated research teams at the Children's Cancer Research Institute in Vienna, led by Dr. Wolfgang Paster, Group Leader of the Clinical Cell Biology Group, and the University of Würzburg, The Bardo Foundation aspires to contribute to a more hopeful future for children and adolescents confronting this devastating disease.

Osteosarcoma: A Pressing Need for Improved Treatments
Osteosarcoma stands as the most prevalent form of bone cancer in children and adolescents. Despite numerous advancements in medical research, treatment options and success rates for osteosarcoma have remained stagnant over the past four decades. This glaring gap in treatment progress necessitates the exploration of innovative therapeutic approaches.

The Promise of Cancer Immunotherapy
Cancer immunotherapy, which involves enhancing the patient's immune system to combat cancer, has been a game-changer in the treatment of specific adult tumors. Unfortunately, osteosarcoma has yet to reap the benefits of these groundbreaking therapies.

Understanding the Immune System's Role in Osteosarcoma
Recent breakthroughs in biomedical research have revealed that the body's immune defense mechanisms can recognize osteosarcoma. T cells continuously scrutinize tumor cells for aberrant proteins exclusive to the tumor and absent in healthy tissues. The detection of these tumor antigens permits T cells to identify and eliminate tumor cells directly.

T cells: The Key to Unlocking Osteosarcoma's Immunological Achilles Heel
Osteosarcoma, however, has developed various methods to evade T cell detection and suppress the immune system's response. Approaches such as vaccination, aimed at training and focusing the immune system on targets solely present in osteosarcoma, could pave the way for therapeutic success in the future.

Pioneering a One-Year Pilot Study: A Collaborative Effort
A team of researchers from the Children's Cancer Research Institute in Vienna and the University of Würzburg has embarked on a one-year pilot study to uncover the immunological Achilles heel of osteosarcoma. This collaboration aims to harness the power of cancer immunotherapy for osteosarcoma patients.

Mass Spectrometry: A Cutting-Edge Technique to Identify Tumor-Exclusive Proteins
The pilot study will employ mass spectrometry, an advanced analytical method, to pinpoint tumor-exclusive proteins from clinical osteosarcoma samples. This technique will enable the researchers to determine whether these proteins are recognized by T cells, potentially serving as the foundation for future tumor therapies.

Moving Forward: The Path to Therapeutic Success
This pilot study represents a crucial initial step in actualizing the potential of cancer immunotherapy for patients with osteosarcoma. By identifying and targeting tumor-exclusive proteins, researchers hope to develop innovative treatments that will finally improve the prognosis for children and adolescents battling this aggressive form of bone cancer.