NOTES: Medical issues, especially stories about cancer, can be complex and confusing. Dr.

Felasfa Wodajo, a musculoskeletal tumor surgeon with Virginia Cancer Specialists in Fairfax,
Virginia, provided us with notes that we think put this issue and Theresa Beechs contributions
into perspective. Dr. Wodajo was Daniel Garcia-Beechs surgeon.

Identifying genes that are mutated or damaged in cancers has been the main revolution in
oncology over the last two decades
Over the last 10 years, many new drugs have been developed to target these genetic
abnormalities, which along with recent drugs boosting the immune system's ability to kill
cancer cells, has led to dramatic advances in therapy
Osteosarcoma has not had these breakthroughs yet
Although rare in the population at large, it is a relatively common cancer among children
The mortality rate is still stubbornly high, especially compared to childhood leukemias
which are more common but also more commonly cured
Survival in osteosarcoma has not improved in 30 years (1984-1993 vs 1994-2003)
In fact, one of the largest trials ever for chemotherapy in osteosarcoma of more than 1000
patients was recently concluded with disappointing results

Theresa Beech's research was very important in a number of respects

One was that, by dint of her determination and intelligence, she was granted access to a
very large data set from Foundation One of osteosarcoma genetic analysis
On this she ran an analysis and was able to group osteosarcomas into 7 categories, some
of which had distinct outcomes
This could help us better predict prognosis for certain children, and perhaps alter their
treatment plans
It also opens a path for researchers to design new treatment trials, using these genetic
markers to choose from among existing targeted therapies
Some work has already started on this with Theresa Beech's help
Perhaps more importantly, I predict she will help galvanize the osteosarcoma advocacy
community to campaign and I believe successfully direct more research funding into
osteosarcoma
Patients and citizens are always the most important advocates when it comes to changing
how research dollars are allocated, however without science and researchers behind it,
advocacy alone is not enough
By showing there is route possible, Theresa Beech will have helped get the answers that
will help many more children in the future who will be diagnosed with this terrible cancer in
the future