Stories of progress, inspiration, and information in overcoming osteosarcoma.

2024: A Breakthrough Year for Osteosarcoma Research

From opening a clinical trial to identifying and funding new grants, the OSI’s 2024 achievements have paved the way for transformative progress in osteosarcoma research.

For patients, families, and supporters touched by osteosarcoma, 2024 brought hope and momentum in the fight against this challenging disease. The Osteosarcoma Institute (OSI) made groundbreaking strides, from funding innovative research and launching a clinical trial to rallying a growing community of donors and advocates. Each milestone represents progress toward better treatments, more answers, and brighter futures for those affected by osteosarcoma.

As we reflect on the year, we are proud to share how your support helped make these accomplishments possible — and what to expect from the year ahead.

Important Osteosarcoma Clinical Trial Opened in Spain

The MYC oncogene is a deadly factor in osteosarcoma but has long been considered “undruggable.” Recently, in 2022, a Spanish company reported promising results from a new MYC inhibitor. The OSI immediately engaged with the company and, in 2024, helped make the Phase 2 clinical trial of OMO-103 a reality, sponsoring the study at the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology in Barcelona. By recognizing OMO-103’s potential, the OSI ensured this promising therapy could be explored for patients with advanced, aggressive osteosarcoma.

“Without the OSI’s swift action and commitment, this trial simply would not exist for osteosarcoma patients,” says Lee Helman, MD, Director of the Osteosarcoma Institute. “We’ve taken a bold step toward addressing one of the most challenging targets in cancer.”

Thanks to the OSI’s efforts, the trial was fast-tracked to launch in just 25 months — far ahead of the usual four-year timeline it takes most trials to get to Phase 2.

Reached $10 Million Milestone in Funding Osteosarcoma Science

Since the institute’s inception, we have committed $10.5 million to clinical trials, research studies, and scientific programming that is “concentrating on the cure” for osteosarcoma. In 2024, the OSI awarded $1.1 million to three osteosarcoma research projects aimed at tackling some of the most pressing challenges in osteosarcoma treatment. These projects span a range of innovative approaches, from preventing lung metastases to enhancing immunotherapy and exploring novel DNA structures.

“Each of these grants represents an opportunity to answer important questions and move closer to our ultimate goal: improving survival for osteosarcoma patients,” says Dr. Helman. “These are bold, forward-thinking projects, and I’m optimistic about their potential to drive meaningful progress.”

“Each of these grants represents an opportunity to answer important questions and move closer to our ultimate goal: improving survival for osteosarcoma patients.” — Lee Helman, MD

By funding both translational research and high-risk/high-impact studies, the OSI continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in osteosarcoma treatment.

Amplified Community Advocacy and Support

Supporters of the OSI showed their passion and creativity in 2024 by sharing their stories with The Frontline, raising funds in honor of their loved ones, and hosting community events. From pickleball to golf tournaments, these events brought people together to support the common cause of radically improving osteosarcoma survival. The growing awareness and support for our mission resulted in $4.6 million raised from over 1,000 donations in 2024. And thanks to the gracious support of The Communities Foundation of Texas – QuadW Osteosarcoma Designated Fund, 100% of donations to the OSI are leveraged to accelerate osteosarcoma research and programming.

Expanded the OSI Team

The OSI welcomed four new Board of Ambassadors members in 2024, bringing the total to 39 members representing six states and two countries. These dedicated individuals play a critical role in raising awareness and funds for osteosarcoma research. We also welcomed six new Strategic Advisory Board members, two new Trustees, and two new staff members in 2024.

Served Osteosarcoma Patients and Families

When patients get the difficult news of a diagnosis or recurrence, our experts are there to sift through the treatment options and guide a path forward. OSI Connect is our free resource that connects patients and families with expert physicians to answer questions about all aspects of osteosarcoma, including treatment, possible side effects, and advice for working with their treating physician. In 2024, the OSI served 22 patients through OSI Connect. Through our collaboration with CareBox, 12 patients were referred to osteosarcoma clinical trials.

Looking Ahead to 2025

With a strong foundation from 2024, we expect accelerated progress toward better treatments in the coming year. Key OSI initiatives for 2025 include:

A meeting of constituencies interested in overcoming major barriers to drug development for osteosarcoma. The FDA/OSI Workshop: Advancing Osteosarcoma Drug Development – Connecting Research and Regulatory Pathways for Improved Outcomes will be held in 2025.
Engaging more people in the fight against osteosarcoma through our growing Board of Ambassadors.
Expanding collaboration among top researchers and cancer centers to tackle one of the deadliest pediatric cancers.
Bolstering the strong academic efforts targeting osteosarcoma with industrial support by forging collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

As we move into 2025, we invite you to join us in advancing the fight against osteosarcoma. Please consider donating today.