Our Mission is to eradicate Mesothelioma Our Mission is to eradicate Mesothelioma as a life-ending disease.as a life-ending disease.

thethe Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, inc.inc.

Fix the ProblemFix the Problem

"Billions have been spent on fixing blame. Now it's time to fix the problem. The problem is that early on we labeled mesothelioma as "incurable" without resolving to find a cure. A cure will not just magically happen, we have to make it happen."

Roger G. WorthingtonFounding Director of MARF

Eradicate the Common Eradicate the Common Enemy! Enemy!

Marshall our resources to combat pure concentrated evilMarshall our resources to combat pure concentrated evil

Meso does not respect Youth Meso does not respect Youth or Innocenceor Innocence

Elizabeth Clancy, age 23, Houston“Our mission is to eradicate mesothelioma as a life-ending disease.”

Meso does not respect Fame Meso does not respect Fame or Fortuneor Fortune

Steve McQueen, age 50, California

“Our mission is to eradicate mesothelioma as a life-ending disease.”

Meso does not respect Rank Meso does not respect Rank or Poweror Power

Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr., 79, Virginia“Our mission is to eradicate mesothelioma as a life-ending disease.”

Meso does not respect Faith Meso does not respect Faith or Familyor Family

Dennis Harline, 56, Arizona“Our mission is to eradicate mesothelioma as a life-ending disease.”

Meso does not respect Meso does not respect Health or FitnessHealth or Fitness

“Our mission is to eradicate mesothelioma as a life-ending disease.”

A former Navy man from 1942 to 1965, Mr. Pickens died of MM on May 5, 1999 at the age of 75.

David Pickens, age 65, running the San Diego marathon in 1988.

A New AgeA New Age

"It is no longer acceptable to dismiss mesothelioma as untreatable, for untreatable implies an "acceptance" of failure. We must dispel this attitude of nihilism by education and the establishment of treatment networks.

If we can be as aggressive with our investigations of novel therapies for mesothelioma as we are with breast and prostate cancer, we may avoid the perpetuation of this tragedy into the new millennium."

Dr. Harvey I. Pass, Thoracic Oncologist, Karmanos Cancer Institute

International Experts in Mesothelioma

Expertise in – Surgery– Chemotherapy– Gene Therapy– Radiation Oncology– Photodynamic Therapy– Molecular Genetics– Immunotherapy

Attack Meso with the best Attack Meso with the best and the brightest!and the brightest!

Science Advisory BoardScience Advisory Board Harvey Pass, M.D. Chairman, Karmanos Cancer Inst.

David Sugarbaker, M.D. Brigham & Womens Hospital

Victor Roggli, M.D. Duke University

Daniel Sterman, M.D. University of Pennsylvania

Robert N. Taub, M.D. Columbia University

Lary A. Robinson, M.D. H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center

Steve Hahn, M.D. University of Pennsylvania

James Mault, M.D. University of Colorado

Larry Kaiser, M.D. University of Pennsylvania

Joseph R. Testa, Ph.D. Fox Chase Cancer Center

Claire Verschraegen, M.D. M.D. Anderson/University of Texas

Eric Vallieres, M.D. University of Washington

The Grim StatisticsThe Grim Statistics

50% of the patients die within six months if they get only supportive care

Only 28% of those considered for surgery are Stage I (most are end-stage)

Even with the best therapy for Stage I disease (surgery, chemo and radiation), the average five year survival rate is less than 20%

Barriers to Successful Barriers to Successful Therapy, Part 1Therapy, Part 1

Medical community nihilism (“take a long cruise, tidy up your affairs”)

"Quick fix" supportive care which interferes with novel therapies

Lack of hospitals with interest and expertise

Lack of large, standardized clinical trials

Barriers to Successful Barriers to Successful Therapy, Part 2Therapy, Part 2

Lack of research investment capital

Causality and liability issues which engender bitter dispute and paranoia

Lack of advocacy group (cf., AIDS, breast cancer, prostate cancer)

Put the Patient FirstPut the Patient FirstWhat is the disease?

What are the options?

Where are the options

Protocol or non-protocol

Increase Awareness of the Increase Awareness of the DiseaseDisease

Educate the politicians

Educate research-funding organizations

Educate the front-line physician who sees the patient, specifically regarding new treatment options

Recruit and enroll patients in clinical trials

Fast Track ResearchFast Track Research

Sponsor peer-reviewed promising proposals which involve – Novel benchwork investigations which can

translate to immediate patient care– Novel therapies in clinical trials which need

funding support for data collection, biologic correlates, recruitment, etc.

– solidifying a standard of care

Novel Strategies, Part 1Novel Strategies, Part 1Improved Imaging Techniques for Staging

Tumors

Novel Chemotherapeutic Compounds– Liposome-entrapped Cisplatin Analog (PLATAR)– New Antifolates (MTA) with Cisplatinum– Onconase

Gene Therapy– Suicide Genes

Novel Strategies, Part 2Novel Strategies, Part 2

Immunotherapy (e.g.cytokines, vaccines)– Intrapleural interferon– Intrapleural interleukin 2– Gene Therapy delivery of cytokines

Photodynamic Therapy

Intracavitary Infusional Therapy– Hyperthermia makes tumors more receptive to

adjunct therapies

Novel Strategies, Part 3Novel Strategies, Part 3Angiogenesis Inhibitors

– Endostatin, Lovastatin, Thalidomide– Starve the tumor’s blood supply – Dana Farber, M.D.Anderson, Univ. of Wisconsin

Interference with Growth Factors

Early Detection (identify tumor markers)

Novel Radiation Oncologic Therapies

Now is the Time for Now is the Time for Commitment!Commitment!

Organization out of ChaosUnderstanding out of ConfusionData instead of ConjecturePractical application of scientific theoryCollaborative clinical trials instead of isolated

fiefdomsSurvival Curves Upward and to the Right!

Time is PreciousTime is Precious

"Mesothelioma patients need time. With time and resources, we can find reasonable treatments. With each day that a patient lives, there is hope that a cure can be found and administered before time runs out."

Dr. Robert B. Cameron, Thoracic Surgery Oncologist, UCLA Medical School

MARF Medical-Legal MARF Medical-Legal AllianceAlliance

Dr. Robert Cameron operates on mesothelioma patient Hans Hoffaker while Roger Worthington observes,

October 7, 1999

Raise Awareness of MARF’s Mission

Contact Government Funding Agencies

Contact Philanthropists, Drug Companies, Insurance Companies

Donations from Families (in lieu of flowers...)

Contribute Commensurate with Wealth, Knowledge and Compassion

What can I do?What can I do?

Founding Member $1 million plus Platinum Member $500,000 plus Gold Member $250,000 plus Benefactor $10,000 plus Friend $100-10,000

Sponsorship LevelsSponsorship Levels

MARF hopes that the law firms and corporations who have represented parties in the litigation over the years will contribute an amount that is commensurate with their knowledge, compassion and wealth.

Board of DirectorsBoard of Directors Roger G. Worthington, Esq. Founding Director

Robert B. Cameron, M.D UCLA Medical School

Jay W. Hughes, Esq. W.R. Grace & Co.

Maura Abeln, Esq. Owens Corning

Robert I. Komitor, Esq. New York, New York

MARF BYLAWSMARF BYLAWS

2.02 Restrictions. . . . .

D. The Board of Directors shall not authorize for review by the Science Advisory Board any research proposal that is inconsistent with the goals and purpose of the Corporation--prevention, treatment and cure of mesothelioma. The Founding Director shall have the sole authority to reject any research proposal submitted by any group or individual that may serve to bolster a litigation objective, such as research regarding the causation of mesothelioma.

E. The Founding Director has authority to refuse contributions to the Corporation if the Director has reason to believe the donor intends to manipulate the fact of the contribution for political purposes that are not consistent with the purpose of the Corporation.

F. The Corporation shall require that every donor sign an agreement that the donor will not use the fact of the contribution in jury argument.

ARTICLE II - LOCATION AND PURPOSEARTICLE II - LOCATION AND PURPOSE

Compassion for the Terminally IllVoluntary SolutionShow the Politicians We have HeartShow your Clients you CareShow the Courts we go Beyond DutyCollaborate with Can-Do Cancer ScientistsKeep your Clients ALIVE!

What’s in it for me?What’s in it for me?

Clearinghouse for clinical trialsAlerted to medical breakthroughsNetwork with Hospitals, Clinics, DoctorsRecognition on www.marf.orgTax Deductible ContributionWeed out the Pretenders

What other tangible What other tangible benefits?benefits?

Your Generosity will Pay OffYour Generosity will Pay Off

MARF is committed to winning the war on Mesothelioma