The Andrew J. Semesco Foundation plans to fund at least two projects this year. In late 2006, we established the Andrew J. Semesco fund for oral, head and neck cancer research at the University Of Florida College Of Medicine. This is an endowed fund of which the interest is used every year for research efforts at the new, state of the art UF Shands Cancer and Genetics Research Center. The current principal of the fund is approximately $150,000. Our goal for 2008 is to add $17,000 to the fund principal. The fund is eligible for state fund matching at a 50% level, and we hope to make this 2008 addition prior to fund matching.

Our second funding this year will be to directly fund a project at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. This project is hoping to explore a link between Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and oral cancers such as Squamous Cell Carcinoma. HPV is known to affect 80% of the population and has tumor generating potential in cervical, esophageal, and oropharyngeal cancers. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is the most predominant type of mouth and throat cancer; a version of SCC called Basaloid Squamous Cell Carninoma (BSCC) has a unique predominance for the back of the mouth and throat and has a poorer prognosis than other forms of SCC. This study hopes to investigate a link between the virus HPV and BSCC as well as other forms of SCC and salivary gland tumors, with a hope for developing early detection methods such as a simple laboratory culture. The investigators have requested $12,000 to cover laboratory materials, cost, and equipment.

Our hopes for 2008 are to donate at least $29,000 to these two causes. We appreciate any support which would help us meet these goals.