It has often been said that good scientific research poses many more questions than it answers. Nowhere is this more true than with angiogenesis research. A case in point is the discovery by Judah Folkman, M.D., director of the Surgical Research Laboratories at Children's Hospital Boston, of endostatin, the potent, naturally occurring inhibitor of angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation). This discovery not only resulted in a potentially new way to treat cancer with few or no side effects (endostatin, a promising drug, recently entered Phase 2 clinical trials), it also triggered a groundswell of research around the globe that has led to many other exciting discoveries in oncology, rheumatology, opthalmology and other diverse-and sometimes unexpected-areas of medicine.

The Nathan Ackerman Memorial Fund together with Temple Emanuel's Committee on Issues in Medicine is proud to present Dr. Judah Folkman, who will be guest in the pulpit at Temple Emanuel's Sabbath Eve Service, Fri., Oct. 4 at 8:30 p.m., when he will discuss his work in cancer research and angiogenesis.

According to Dr. Folkman, since the 1997 publication of the paper describing the discovery of endostatin, more than 240 papers relating to this protein have been published in prestigious peer-reviewed journals-which may be a record-not to mention thousands of citations. "It's fascinating to see how this discovery has led to such prolific research and some surprising discoveries and insights," comments Folkman.

Judah Folkman graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Medical School in 1957 and began his surgical residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital where he served as chief resident in surgery from 1964-65. As a student, he co-authored papers describing a new method of hepatectomy for liver cancer and developed the first atrio-ventricular implantable pacemaker for which he received the Boylston Medical Prize, Soma Weiss Award and Borden Undergraduate Award in Medicine. While in the Navy, he and a colleague first reported the use of silicone rubber implantable polymers for the sustained release of drugs. Their findings became the basis for development of Norplant, the contraceptive used internationally, and initiated the field of controlled release technology. At this time, Folkman also began growing tumors in isolated perfused organs, which led to the idea that tumors are angiogenesis-dependent. Folkman's discoveries of the mechanism of angiogenesis opened a field of investigation that has led to clinical trials of angiogenesis inhibitors in the US and Europe. Largely because of Folkman's research, the possibility of anti-angiogenic therapy is now on a firm scientific foundation, not only in the treatment of cancer, but of many non-neoplastic diseases as well.

Currently, Dr. Folkman and his supporters are engaged in establishing the Angiogenesis Research Institute, the "crown jewel" in Children's Hospital Boston's new, 12-story research tower, that will harness the talents of many to accelerate the development of new therapies.

Dr. Folkman's lecture at Temple Emanuel is sponsored by The Nathan Ackerman Memorial Fund and the Committee on Issues In Medicine, Dr. Herrick Cohen, Dr. Michael Goldstein and Dr. H. David Lieberman, co-chairmen. The Nathan Ackerman Memorial Fund is an arm of the synagogue's Religious Action Center, Fred Harber, director.

All members of the community are invited to attend the Sabbath Eve Service. Following the service, refreshments will be served, and there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

Temple Emanuel of Great Neck is located at 150 Hicks Lane. For further information, please call 482-5701.