Adam R. Spector Foundation

04/04/2025

April, 2025
Dear Family, Friends and Supporters,
We hope this finds you doing well. This year marks 21 years since Adam was diagnosed with Hodgkin's
lymphoma. April 11th will mark 18 years since he passed away. While we continue to miss Adam
deeply, we honor his legacy through the research supported by our foundation at Memorial Sloan
Kettering Cancer Center.
Research Updates
Last year, we shared Dr. Alison Moskowitz's promising results using a combination of immunotherapy
and chemotherapy. Her team continues to build on this work, with nearly 90% of patients maintaining
remission when their lymphoma has returned - offering real hope to patients facing this challenge.
Dr. Moskowitz has three important studies underway:
• For newly diagnosed patients, she's testing an approach that helps identify who needs more or less
intensive treatment from the start. Eight patients have joined this study in its first five months.
• Just in December, the FDA approved Dr. Moskowitz's new study examining whether some patients
can avoid stem cell transplants while maintaining good outcomes. This could spare many patients
from undergoing this difficult procedure if they don't need it.
• Her team has completed a study for older adults (over 60) with Hodgkin lymphoma that was recently
accepted by the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The Adam R. Spector Foundation was acknowledged as
a key funder of this work.
Your Impact
The Foundation's support enables crucial laboratory analyses that help Dr. Moskowitz's team understand
why treatments work differently for different patients. Her findings are reaching other doctors through
presentations at medical conferences in Germany and the United States, helping to improve care for
patients beyond Memorial Sloan Kettering.
Every step forward in this research brings us closer to better treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma patients
- the goal Adam cared about so deeply. Thank you for helping to make this work possible.
With gratitude, Lynn, Lane, and Andy

The Adam R Spector Foundation
To Benefit Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Research

2025 Donation Form

I would like to support The Adam R Spector Foundation for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Research.

Donor Information
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Please make your check payable to Adam R. Spector Foundation
Please return the completed form with payment by June 15th to:
Adam R. Spector Foundation
P.O. Box 5
Gladwyne, PA 19035
OR
You may pay online with a credit card or with PayPal at adamspector.org/help-others/
Adam R. Spector Foundation is a nonprofit organization registered in Pennsylvania and is exempt from federal income tax under

This section provides hope for others who suffer from Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The Adam R Spector Foundation is designed to help raise money for Hodgkin’s lymphoma and recurrent Hodgkin’s lymphoma which does not receive much funding. Funds raised are allocated to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Cen...

07/20/2024

May 21, 2024
The following are updates from Dr. Alison Moskowitz, the physician that Adam’s Foundation supports.
I hope you are all doing well. I am pleased to give you an update on our work in
Hodgkin lymphoma. We are continuing to conduct studies aimed at optimizing
therapy for individuals with Hodgkin lymphoma. Our goal is to improve efficacy of treatment while also reducing toxicity. We are doing this by using biomarkers to
determine which patients require intense therapy and who can get by with more
mild therapy. I would like to tell you about 2 of our studies that illustrate this
approach.
The first study is for patients with newly diagnosed early-stage, bulky Hodgkin
lymphoma. This study is testing a shortened course of treatment with brentuximab
vedotin plus adriamycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (BV-AVD) for patients with
favorable characteristics and an alternative treatment approach for patients with
unfavorable characteristics. Favorable patients are defined as those with low
baseline metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and negative PET scan after 2 cycles of
treatment (PET-2). Unfavorable patients have high baseline MTV and positive
PET-2. MTV is an estimate (from a PET scan) of a patient’s total body lymphoma
burden and has been found to be highly prognostic in Hodgkin lymphoma. In a
study previously conducted at our institution, we found that baseline MTV
predicted risk of relapse for patients with early-stage bulky Hodgkin lymphoma
treated with BV-AVD. In addition, response on PET after 2 cycles of the BV-AVD
regimen was predictive of relapse. When we combined these two factors, baseline
MTV and PET-2, we were able to identify the group of patients highly likely to
relapse after BV-AVD. We hypothesize that early intervention with alternative
treatment for patients with both high baseline MTV and abnormal PET-2 would be beneficial. On the current study, favorable patients receive only 4 cycles of BV-AVD while unfavorable patients are switched to treatment with pembrolizumab
plus gemcitabine, vinorelbine, and doxil (pembro-GVD), a regimen that we initially
designed for second-line therapy. This study just opened, and we are enrolling the
first patient next week.
The second study is for patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma.
Now that we use pembrolizumab or nivolumab as part of second-line therapy prior to autologous stem cell transplant, nearly 90% of patients are cured. One of the most pressing questions for these patients is whether every individual requires an
autologous stem cell transplant to be cured. We are very close to opening the
expansion of our pembro-GVD study to answer this question. In the expansion, all
patients will initially receive pembro-GVD and those achieving complete response
will be randomized to proceed to autologous stem cell transplant or to receive maintenance pembrolizumab. We are excited that this study will aid us in
identifying which patients truly need an autologous stem cell transplant in this
setting.
Once again, the Adam R Spector Foundation is funding the critical biomarker studies embedded in both of these investigator-initiated trials. Specifically, this includes collection and analysis of liquid biopsies, immune cells, and MTV analysis.
These biomarkers are highly likely to guide future individualized approaches to
Hodgkin lymphoma treatment. Thank you for supporting this work.

At MSK, cancer care – from immunotherapy and surgery to integrative medicine – is the only thing we do. Call us at 800-525-2225, visit us online at MSKCC.org, or in person at 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, or at our other locations in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and New Jersey.

05/26/2023

Dear Supporters,

We are thrilled to share with you some of the latest advances from Dr. Alison Moskowitz and her team at Sloan Kettering, whose work we proudly support.

Dr. Moskowitz is deeply committed to improving both the effectiveness and tolerability of treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma, a cause that was deeply important to Adam and remains central to our mission. Recently, she has shared several studies they have been conducting, all designed to fine-tune treatment strategies and pinpoint new prognostic factors.

One such study involved the drug nivolumab (Opdivo®), which shows considerable promise for patients with newly diagnosed advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma. The research indicates that this treatment could improve patient outcomes, particularly for those whose initial therapy was not optimally successful. Notably, for older patients who often grapple with severe side effects of certain medications, this drug regimen proves to be both effective and much more tolerable.

Additionally, they are making strides in their exploration of new biomarkers - specifically, liquid biopsies, or circulating tumor DNA. Blood tests in the future could potentially revolutionize how we assess risk and monitor patient responses to therapy.

These pioneering studies and findings are possible thanks to your generous support of the Adam R. Spector Foundation. We're not simply battling Hodgkin lymphoma; our focus is on personalizing the fight - creating treatments that are more effective, less toxic, and tailored to the unique needs of each patient.

Yet, our work is far from over. We need your ongoing support to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible in Hodgkin lymphoma treatment. Your donations help us fund these essential studies that move us ever closer to safer and more effective treatment options.

Please consider making a donation at http://adamspector.org/help-others/ if you are able to. Let's honor Adam's legacy together and bring hope to those courageously battling Hodgkin lymphoma.

Our sincerest thanks to each and every one of you. Together, we can make a tangible difference. 🙏💜

12/28/2022

Dear Family, Friends, and Supporters,

We are happy to share the following update from Dr. Alison Moskowitz from Sloan Kettering whom you have supported over the last several years.

"My team and I would like to share our heartfelt thanks for the Adam R. Spector Foundation’s gift in support of our research on Hodgkin lymphoma at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Your ongoing investment helps fuel leading-edge research that will continue to improve outcomes for patients everywhere with lymphoma — all in honor of Adam.

Your support brings hope to patients and their families while boosting awareness about this disease and the urgent need for new treatment options. On behalf of the people whose lives will be touched by these efforts, I am truly grateful.

I am pleased to share with you an update on my research. As I mentioned in our last report, we published the results of a phase 2 study evaluating pembrolizumab plus GVD (gemcitabine, vinorelbine, and doxil) as a second-line therapy for Hodgkin lymphoma in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. We found that 95% of patients who received this regimen achieved a complete response — an unprecedented result. And of the patients who had a stem cell transplant at least two years ago, all but one remain in remission.

We presented these findings in October 2022 at the International Symposium on Hodgkin Lymphoma, where I was honored for this work with the Karl Musshoff Prize for the best clinical abstract. Most importantly, the regimen was added to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s guidelines as an option for patients who relapse after front-line therapy. This addition ensures that patients throughout the country have access to this novel regimen.

Given the high activity and durability we observed with pembrolizumab plus GVD, we are now evaluating whether patients who achieve a complete response from this regimen can avoid consolidation with a stem cell transplant. We initially aimed to enroll 23 patients to this arm, however, because of the success, we are currently in discussions with Merck to double the size of the study. This expansion will allow us to clarify which patients can avoid a transplant and to provide a road map for treating people who ultimately need transplant.

To further elucidate the mechanism of action of pembrolizumab plus GVD, we are conducting specialized analyses of patients’ baseline lymph nodes as well as blood samples collected over the course of treatment. These analyses are ongoing, and I expect results in the next few months.

I look forward to putting the funds provided by the Adam R. Spector Foundation to work quickly and meaningfully, and honoring Adam every step of the way."

Thank you again and have a great new year!

05/09/2022

Dear Family, Friends and Supporters,

We hope that this letter finds everyone well. Adam continues to be our inspirational strength. It is 15 years since Adam passed away and left his family and friends with a vision of funding research and clinical trials for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It was his hope that one day there would be more options and a better outcome than he had. And today, Adam’s hope has become a reality!

We continue Adam’s legacy with this capital campaign to support Dr. Alison Moskowitz at Memorial Sloan Kettering for Hodgkin’s lymphoma research. Clinical trials have been made possible through the generous philanthropic support of the Adam R. Spector Foundation. This could not have been done without the generosity and support of each and every one of you.

Dr. Moskowitz and her team completed a study evaluating 2 drugs as novel second- line therapy that was recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The aim of the study was to evaluate a therapy that would hopefully induce high rates of complete response and a safe and efficient bridge to autologous stem cell transplant. 95% achieved a complete response to therapy. The goal is to find out why the regime works so well and to assess a non-transplant approach. Dr. Moskowitz is currently involved with novel promising clinical trials which are providing hope for patients.

Acknowledgment is given to The Adam R Spector Foundation.

Your partnership with us has helped transform the standard care for patients with Hodgkin’s and allows Dr. Moskowitz and her team to rapidly translate scientific discoveries into innovative treatments. As Dr. Moskowitz drives research forward, it is our hope that you continue to share our commitment to improve treatment for people with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

As always, we are most grateful for your extraordinary generosity, ensuring the progress of this most important work.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Lynn, Lane and Andy

The link to donate is adamspector.org/help-others/
or you can mail a check to Adam R Spector Foundation
PO Box 5
Gladwyne, PA 19035

This section provides hope for others who suffer from Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The Adam R Spector Foundation is designed to help raise money for Hodgkin’s lymphoma and recurrent Hodgkin’s lymphoma which does not receive much funding. Funds raised are allocated to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Cen...

07/31/2021

This years capital campaign was a huge success because of the generosity of so many supporters. We know how difficult this past year and a half has been which makes us even more grateful. We all have our priorities and we thank you for including the Adam R Spector Foundation in your life. Together we are seeing strides being made for the improvement in treatment for Hodgkins.
With our heartfelt gratitude.
The Spector Family

05/01/2021

Dear Family, Friends and Supporters,

We hope that this letter finds everyone well. It has been a tumultuous year for all of us and hoping that we are seeing more normalcy with what was once taken for granted.

This coming September would have been Adam’s 40th birthday, we pause and reflect the vision that Adam had. It was his hope that one day there would be more options and a better outcome than he had. Today there are more options! He will always remain an inspiration to all of us.

We continue Adam’s legacy with this capital campaign to support Dr. Alison Moskowitz at Memorial Sloan Kettering for Hodgkin’s lymphoma research. Clinical trials have been made possible through the generous philanthropic support of the Adam R. Spector for many years. This could not have been done without the generosity and support of each and everyone of you.

The patients in whom Hodgkin’s has returned after standard treatments, face a shortage of effective therapies. Immunotherapy has shown to have a significant impact on the management of Hodgkin’s. Dr. Moskowitz and her team are leading several clinical trials incorporating the immunotherapy as a first and second line treatment for patients with high-risk or advanced Hodgkin’s. By providing this effective treatment, doctors can potentially eliminate or delay the current standard second-line therapy, a stem cell transplant. It’s a complex treatment that can cause life-threatening side effects. Adam had two stem cell transplants as this was the only salvage therapy then.

Your partnership with us has helped transform the standard care for patients with Hodgkin’s and allows Dr. Moskowitz and her team to rapidly translate scientific discoveries into innovative treatments. As Dr. Moskowitz drives research forward, it is our hope that you continue to share our commitment to improve treatment for people with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

As always, we are most grateful for your extraordinary generosity, ensuring the progress of this most important work.

With heartfelt gratitude ,
Lynn, Lane and Andy

The link to donate is adamspector.org/help-others/
or you can mail a check to Adam R Spector Foundation
PO Box 5
Gladwyne, PA 19035

This section provides hope for others who suffer from Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The Adam R Spector Foundation is designed to help raise money for Hodgkin’s lymphoma and recurrent Hodgkin’s lymphoma which does not receive much funding. Funds raised are allocated to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Cen...

11/29/2020

We as a family want to thank all of you, our supporters, to enable us to continue Adam's legacy. Strides are being made for Hodgkin lymphoma patients. We are proud to share this update from Dr. Alison Moskowitz with whom we are able to support because of your generosity.

Hodgkin Lymphoma:
Transforming the Landscape of Research and Care
Prepared for the Adam R. Spector Foundation
November 2020

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) is proud to be the home of innovative and critical research endeavors that are revolutionizing the way lymphomas are understood and treated. Many of these efforts, led by Alison Moskowitz, MD, have been made possible through the generous philanthropic support of the Adam R. Spector Foundation year after year. It is an honor to share highlights of the progress from Dr. Moskowitz’s team.

Leading Lymphoma Treatment
People with Hodgkin lymphoma in whom the disease has returned after standard treatments face a shortage of effective therapies. For those with the cancer mutation PD-1, immunotherapy has been shown to have a significant impact on the management of Hodgkin lymphoma. However, this immunotherapy approach, known as anti-PD-1-directed therapy, is currently approved only for people who have exhausted all other treatments.
Dr. Moskowitz and her team are leading several clinical trials incorporating anti-PD-1-directed therapy as a first- and second-line treatment for patients with high-risk or advanced Hodgkin lymphoma. To test the first-line treatment, the team is evaluating the FDA-approved immunotherapy drug nivolumab in combination with ABVD (a chemotherapy combination of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine) plus AVD, the same chemotherapy combination as ABVD but without bleomycin. The study, which is more than halfway complete, aims to improve the chance of a complete recovery for people with advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma who have already undergone two cycles of ABVD. Dr. Moskowitz’s team hopes that through this study, they will be able to identify the right candidates for first-line use of immunotherapy.
The team is also leading a clinical trial for people who have relapsed after first-line therapy. Using the FDA-approved immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab in combination with GVD (a chemotherapy combination of gemcitabine, vinorelbine, and doxil), Dr. Moskowitz and her team are pursuing a second-line treatment strategy associated with a high and complete response rate that is tolerated with fewer or no side effects. The study, which is nearly complete, has so far found that 94% of the people enrolled have had a full response and that the pembrolizumab-GVD combination is both highly effective and well tolerated. The results of this second-line regimen for Hodgkin lymphoma are the most promising that Dr. Moskowitz has ever observed.
To build on the success of this treatment, the team plans to expand the study to evaluate the pembrolizumab-GVD combination plus a maintenance of pembrolizumab. This study has the potential to greatly enhance second-line treatment strategies for people with Hodgkin lymphoma. By providing this new, more effective treatment, doctors can potentially eliminate or delay the current standard second-line therapy, which is a stem cell transplant — a complex treatment that can cause life-threatening side effects. The Adam R. Spector Foundation’s
generous support of these studies represents the extraordinary progress being made in Hodgkin lymphoma treatment today.

Looking Ahead Your partnership has helped transform the standard of care for people with Hodgkin lymphoma and continues to allow MSK to rapidly translate scientific discoveries into innovative treatments that benefit both our patients and people with cancer around the world. As Dr. Moskowitz drives research forward, it is our hope that you continue to share MSK’s commitment to improving treatment for people with lymphoma.

06/19/2020

Thank you to all of your generosity to the capital campaign for Adam’s Foundation. It has enabled treatments and clinical trials for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at Memorial Sloan Kettering. We are so grateful and together we are seeing strides being made. There are successful treatment options since Adam. Your support has brought hope to many patients. With heartfelt gratitude to you, our supporters!

04/29/2020

We are so inspired by you. Through the current capital campaign we asked and you have given. Our doctors are trying to get us to a world with more treatments and cures for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The campaign continues and together we will fight this battle. We are so very grateful.