Volume 30 | February 5, 2025
World Cancer Day (2/4), International Childhood Cancer Day (2/15), and Rare Disease Day (2/28) remind us that for a rare disease like osteosarcoma, Making It Better requires global collaboration. Progress happens when scientists, clinicians, patients, and families unite to share knowledge, support one another, and drive research forward. At MIB Agents, we are proud to offer virtual programs like TURBO, CURE-OS, OsteoBites, osTEAo, Gamer Agents, and Healing Hearts which connect our community across borders. Yet sometimes, nothing compares to the power of in-person connection. We invite you to experience this firsthand at FACTOR 2025 in Salt Lake City, June 26–28—a conference where science, collaboration, and community come together to change the future of osteosarcoma. Join us and be part of the science and magic!
With hope,
The MIB Agents Team
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Last week, the MIB Agents team and Family Funds visited two of our 2024 OutSmarting Osteosarcoma grant recipients to see firsthand the impact of funded research, explore additional osteosarcoma studies, and tour their labs. These visits exemplify the power of connecting the scientific and patient communities. Patients and families had the opportunity to share their stories, offer valuable patient perspectives, and remind researchers of the profound significance of their work. In turn, researchers shared their progress, fostering hope and collaboration in the osteosarcoma community. A heartfelt thank you to the Richards Lab at the University of Kentucky and the Mahajan Lab at Hunter College CUNY for their incredible hospitality and for their dedication to Making It Better every day. Their work brings hope, and we are grateful for their commitment to advancing osteosarcoma research!
Learn More about our 2024 OutSmarting Grant Recipients
Discover the heartfelt story behind The Power of Will, an osteosarcoma nonprofit born from love and loss. Inspired by the courageous journey of Will, diagnosed during his sophomore year of college, this organization is dedicated to transforming the lives of sarcoma patients and their families. Learn more about the mission, milestones, and unwavering commitment to advocacy that define this remarkable initiative. From funding groundbreaking research to providing quality of life grants, The Power of Will continues to make an indelible impact in the osteosarcoma community. They Make It Better with us by sponsoring the MIB Agents Junior Advisory Board to attend our FACTOR conference. Read more about their inspiring journey and how they are fostering hope and resilience at https://thepowerofwill.org/
Learn More About The Power of Will
- Medical Oncologist (Sarcoma) - MGH Cancer Center
- Clinical Research Manager – Thoracic Oncology and Sarcoma Program - UCSF
- Section Head of Sarcoma Pathology - Moffitt
- Assistant or Associate Professor in Sarcoma - Emory
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Janeway Lab
- Orthopaedic Oncology Surgeon - Dartmouth-Hitchcock
If you have a job posting and you would like it included here, please email christina@mibagents.org.
The MIB Agents Osteosarcoma Handbook is a vital resource, written by osteosarcoma families for osteosarcoma families, with expert guidance from leading osteosarcoma medical professionals. Available in English and Spanish in print, and downloadable in English, Spanish, and Mandarin, this comprehensive guide helps families navigate the journey from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. For newly diagnosed families, the OS Navigation Packets provide essential resources, including a hard copy of the Osteosarcoma Handbook (English or Spanish) and valuable materials from our partners. These packets are designed to empower and support families, patients, and clinics. Request complimentary OS Navigation Packets for your family, patients, or clinic, and help us Make It Better!
- OST-HER2 Extends 12-Month EFS in Osteosarcoma With Lung Metastases
- Ongoing chromothripsis underpins osteosarcoma genome complexity and clonal evolution
The FDA has issued draft guidance on the use of tissue biopsies in clinical trials, and they are seeking input from the community. This guidance will shape future standards for biopsy collection, handling, and analysis—critical factors in osteosarcoma research and treatment development. We urge researchers, clinicians, patients, and caregivers to review the draft and share their perspectives. Your feedback can help ensure that biopsy requirements balance scientific advancement with patient-centered care. The deadline for public comments is March 10, 2025.
