The Parsemus Foundation works to advance innovative and neglected medical research.  The foundation’s focus is on supporting small proof-of-concept studies and then pursuing press coverage of the results, so that the advances change treatment practice rather than disappearing into the scientific literature.

 

Current areas of focus are contraceptive development (particularly long-acting non-hormonal male methods) and testing the use of an estrogen-progesterone-androgen regimen instead of aromatase inhibitors to increase survival and quality of life after breast cancer treatment.  Parsemus is also funding a study of low-cost commercially-available anti-inflammatory medicines started early, rather than steroids started late, in treatment of muscular dystrophy.  Except for the following area, applications for support are by invitation only.

 

We are currently soliciting clinical trial proposals for estradiol stabilization/supplementation as treatment for perimenopausal and menopausal rosacea.  Rosacea is estimated to affect 1 in 20 Americans and up to 14% of women in certain Northern European populations.  It often worsens with perimenopause, and can lead to depression and isolation if disfiguring.  There is anecdotal evidence of transdermal estradiol being an effective treatment, but no controlled studies have been conducted.  The proposed regimen would be 100 or 200 micrograms of transdermal estradiol (transdermal gel or Vivelle Dot patch) plus cyclical vaginal progesterone (Microgest/Prometrium or Crinone).  The director of medical research programs can be contacted at (415) 839-6304 during office hours (California time) to discuss interest in this project.