The specter of neurodegenerative diseases looms large in our aging society. Today, 6.9 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, the most common form, with millions more projected to be diagnosed in the coming decades. However, a beam of hope comes from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Belfer Neurodegeneration Consortium, fueled by the remarkable philanthropic efforts of the Belfer family.
“We want to help aging adults lead better, longer lives,” said Laurence Belfer. “My family strongly believes in the work being done at MD Anderson through the Belfer Neurodegeneration Consortium to help those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of neurodegenerative diseases.”
The Belfer family’s generosity extends far beyond charitable giving. The philanthropic family’s $53.5 million in donations and supplemental support over the past decade have bolstered the BNDC’s research endeavors and served as a powerful catalyst for collaboration and innovation.
The BNDC’s mission is as audacious as it is necessary: to unravel the complexities of neurodegenerative diseases and translate those insights into effective treatments. Established in 2012 with a $25 million gift from the Robert A. and Renée E. Belfer Foundation, the consortium brought together MD Anderson’s renowned oncology expertise with the intellectual firepower of institutions like MIT, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Baylor College of Medicine. This synergistic approach fosters a unique environment for groundbreaking research.
The Belfer Family’s Philanthropy: A Springboard for Discovery
The family’s sustained commitment has empowered the BNDC to pursue a multifaceted research strategy. A core focus lies in identifying and validating novel therapeutic targets. Jim Ray, Ph.D., the executive director of the BNDC, recognizes the importance of a multipronged approach. “For the first time, we have agreement in the field that it is possible to slow the disease,” he stated. “To do this, we need multiple ways to attack the disease, as well as a deep understanding of what’s driving each patient’s dementia, so that we can have personalized medicine for Alzheimer’s.”
One promising avenue involves the development of neuroprotective agents. These agents safeguard vulnerable brain cells from succumbing to the neurodegenerative process. Another area of exploration centers on mitigating the detrimental effects of genetic risk factors, such as apolipoprotein E, or APOE4, which is a gene variant that significantly increases the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s.
The BNDC also delves into neuroinflammation, a well-recognized hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases. Microglia, the brain’s immune cells, play a crucial role in this inflammatory response. The consortium is investigating methods to modulate microglial activity, potentially mitigating the damage caused by chronic inflammation.
A Shared Struggle: Alzheimer’s and Cancer
As treatments improve, more patients are surviving cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, cancer mortality has decreased since 1991. Still, the rising incidence of some cancers could undermine these improvements. In 2024, the United States is expected to see 2,001,140 new cancer cases and 611,720 cancer deaths.
However, treatment-related complications, such as cognitive impairment, are becoming more common. Recent research indicates a link between cancer and dementia. While progress has been made in understanding the cognitive changes associated with cancer treatment, further efforts are needed to prevent and screen for early dementia in cancer survivors.
An intriguing facet of the BNDC’s research involves the surprising connections between Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. Both conditions share biological similarities and risk factors. Moreover, some cancer treatments, particularly chemotherapy and radiation, can induce debilitating cognitive impairments. By studying the fundamental causes of neurodegeneration, the BNDC hopes to develop therapies that not only benefit Alzheimer’s patients but also promote nervous system health and function in cancer patients undergoing treatment.
Ray points to the parallels between “chemobrain” — the memory-related side effects of chemotherapy — and the dementia experienced by Alzheimer’s patients. The consortium’s research has revealed a fascinating convergence: Both cancer and Alzheimer’s patients exhibit the activation of a protein called dual leucine zipper kinase, or DLK, which can eliminate damaged brain cells but also contribute to cognitive decline. This shared biological pathway presents a unique opportunity for researchers to develop treatments with applicability across both diseases.
The BNDC’s NeuroHealth Initiative exemplifies this cross-pollination of knowledge. This initiative studies the nervous system health of ovarian cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, aiming to understand the mechanisms underlying treatment-induced cognitive decline and neuropathy. By studying patients before, during, and after treatment, researchers gain invaluable insights into the early stages of neurodegeneration, potentially paving the way for preventative interventions.
Philanthropy’s Tangible Impact: A Future Filled With Hope
The Belfer family’s ongoing support has enabled the BNDC to shepherd promising discoveries through the crucial translational pipeline, transforming fundamental science breakthroughs into tangible patient benefits. Over the past decade, the consortium has pursued over 40 drug discovery projects, with five currently in the subsequent development stage.
One such project is the choline trial, which investigates whether a dietary intervention can mitigate the risk of dementia in individuals carrying the APOE4 gene. Another is the DLK project, which aims to develop a neuroprotective therapy for Alzheimer’s. This project has also received $20 million from the state of Texas for its potential application in treating chemotherapy-induced nerve damage in cancer patients.
The BNDC’s research pipeline brims with further promise, and the Belfer family has continued to support this cause with additional donations. In 2024, Laurence Belfer, on behalf of the family, announced a $20 million gift to strengthen neurodegeneration research further, bringing the family’s total contributions to MD Anderson to $53.5 million over the past decade.
The Belfers have supported MIT’s research programs in neurodegenerative diseases through funding initiatives like the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory. Their contributions have enabled groundbreaking research, such as Li-Huei Tsai’s work on reversing memory loss in mice and exploring new therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer’s.
“It is a remarkable finding with promising therapeutic implications,” Tsai said.
