Disclaimer: This website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice. The information presented here is meant to educate and inform about cancer research. Please consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any medical concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.
The Nagourney Institute
The Nagourney Institute is a distinguished Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation, officially established on February 19, 1999, and proudly based in Long Beach, California. Recognized by the California Secretary of State with an active filing status (document number 2102616), our institute serves as a central hub for innovative work in cancer research and individualized patient care.
Our operations are headquartered at 750 E 29th St, Long Beach, CA 90806, a location that facilitates our mission and serves as our primary correspondence address.
The institute is guided by a dedicated team of leaders: Robert Nagourney serves as our Chief Executive Officer, Kristyn Soria as Chief Financial Officer, and Robyn Therapeutics La France as Secretary. Allan Weiss acts as our registered agent, ensuring our adherence to all legal and official compliances from his office in Long Beach.
Understanding Functional Profiling in Cancer Research
Functional profiling is a laboratory technique that offers a unique window into how an individual's living cancer cells respond to various drugs and drug combinations. Unlike generalized approaches that rely on statistical averages, functional profiling provides a personalized assessment based on the unique biology of a specific tumor. This is crucial because every cancer is different; a treatment that works for one person may not work for another, even if they share the same diagnosis.
The EVA-PCD Assay: A Closer Look
At the core of functional profiling is a specific method developed by Dr. Robert Nagourney, known as the Ex-Vivo Analysis of Programmed Cell Death (EVA-PCD) assay. This technique measures a process called "programmed cell death," or apoptosis. In simple terms, the assay determines which specific drugs or combinations can effectively trigger a patient's cancer cells to die. By observing this in a laboratory setting—before a treatment is ever administered—scientists can gather valuable data on which therapies hold the most promise for that individual.
Why Programmed Cell Death is Key
Cancer cells are defined by their ability to survive and multiply uncontrollably, often resisting the body's natural signals to die. The EVA-PCD assay directly challenges this resistance by exposing the cells to a panel of standard and novel cancer drugs. This allows researchers to identify which treatments can overcome the cancer's survival mechanisms. By measuring the induction of apoptosis, the assay provides a direct, functional readout of a drug's effectiveness against that person's unique cancer.