Tumor Growth Factors

Dr. Nancy Ratner at the University of Cincinnati requires neurofibromas from NF1 patients for an ongoing study of tumor growth factors, growth factor receptors, and signaling pathways in neurofibroma cells. To be enrolled in this study, tumors must be removed by the patients' own physician for medical reasons. If you are scheduled for surgery, and are interested in your tumor tissue being used for this study please have your physician or his/her nurse contact Dr. Ratner at least 24 hours prior to removal of tumors for instructions. The study requires sterile tumor tissue covered by and shipped in tissue culture medium, on wet ice. Plexiform or cutaneous neurofibromas can be used. Some patient information (age, sex, criteria used to make the diagnosis of NF1) is required. Dr. Ratner will pay shipping costs. For more information: Tel: 513-558-6079; Fax: 513-558-4454; email: nancy.ratner@uc.edu