The Preuss Foundation, Inc.

Letter from the President

During the past few decades, brain tumor research has been a field of inquiry where use of the three most traditional and successful of the three most traditional and successful modalities of curing other types of cancer-surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy-has not produced dramatic results. This has been due, in part, to the intrinsic nature of the brain itself. Because the brain is more sensitive to toxic effects from extrinsic chemicals than other parts of the body, it protects itself through a special barrier, which is located in its supplying blood vessels. This protective device, the 'blood brain barrier', has forced brain tumor researchers to approach the treatment of this medical condition in a different manner.

Today, the potentially promising avenues of success for cancer research in general are substantially more varied than they were only five years ago. Advances in the field of molecular biological research are creating a frontier toward a scientific breakthrough.

The rapid expansion of information about the body's own processes has led to the use of antibodies directed against brain tumor cells, as well as to a greater knowledge of cellular differentiation, genetic abnormalities of brain tumor cells, and the effect of growth factors on brain tumor cells.

Scientists exploring these diversified avenues of cancer research are deeply dedicated and committed; but their few successes have reduced their ranks. The cadre of researchers, while small, is excellent. At the same time, research monies have been drastically cut.

In response to these problems, the Preuss Foundation was formed. The mission of The Preuss Foundation is to rally this worldwide group of scientific explorers by providing the funds they need to help end this disease. The Preuss Foundation is dedicated to providing support and an international communication forum wherein the progress of innovative research can flourish.

Peter Preuss
President