Funding from Blood Cancer United can lead to scientific breakthroughs that will improve and save the lives of patients.
The Blood Cancer United Research Team oversees the organization's research strategy to support cutting-edge research for every type of blood cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.
Take a look at all the currently active, extraordinary Blood Cancer United-funded research projects.
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New York University School of Medicine
T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) has a strong tendency to infiltrate the central nervous system (CNS). The goal is hope to develop strategies to treat CNS disease in T-ALL with less neurotoxicity and more efficacy than current chemotherapy.
Project Term: July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2023
Institute of Cell Biology (Tumor Research) at the Medical school Essen
We have long standing experience in the field of HCL research. The aim of this research proposal is to characterize HCL on single cell level across multiple layers to uncover interactions of HCL with its microenvironment, which supports HCL cell survival. We will further explore metabolic and functional dependencies of primary HCL cells, and we hypothesize that their attenuation compromises HCL cell survival. Finally, we aim to pharmacologically disrupt these pro-survival pathways in HCL cells.
Project Term: October 1, 2021 - September 30, 2024
Emory University
The BCL-2 antagonist venetoclax is highly cytotoxic in a subset of t(11;14) multiple myeloma (MM). In investigating the metabolic basis for the sensitivity of t(11;14) MM to venetoclax, we determined that sensitive cells exhibit significantly reduced succinate ubiquinone reductase (SQR) activity. In addition, inhibition of SQR sensitizes resistant MM to venetoclax. Our proposal seeks to investigate SQR as a diagnostic and therapeutic target to broaden the application of this potent BH3 mimetic.
Project Term: July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2021
The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco
We will test rational drug combinations in accurate preclinical model systems that reflect the distinct genomic features of pediatric AML. The use of genetically accurate mouse models to inform clinical translation is particularly important in pediatric AML given its relatively low incidence and difficulties inherent in testing drug combinations in children. Our preliminary studies have identified combined BET and MEK inhibition as a particularly promising combination for pediatric AML.
Project Term: July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2022
Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope
New, non-chemotherapy treatments that use a patient’s own immune system have transformed the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Typically used in patients with cHL that is resistant to standard treatment, these immune therapies can control the disease for months to years. However, in the long run, most patients will not be cured and will have immunotherapy-resistant cHL. My research evaluates strategies for reversing resistance to brentuximab vedotin (BV) immunotherapy for cHL by combining BV with other treatments in clinical trials.
Project Term: July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2023
University of Michigan
This project is focused to develop small molecule degraders of ASH1L histone methyltransferase as a treatment for aggressive sub-types of AML and ALL with high expression of HOXA genes by utilizing the PROTAC (proteolysis targeting chimera) approach. Optimization of ASH1L degraders and their comprehensive evaluation in in vitro and in vivo leukemia models are proposed. We expect these studies will lead to new therapeutics for aggressive acute leukemias with high HOXA expression.
Project Term: July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2022
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
We seek to understand the genetic and epigenetic etiology of B-cell lymphoma and how deregulation of normal epigenetic programs perturb developmental programs and immune interactions. We approach this using a variety of genomic technologies to interrogate primary human tumors, CRISPR-engineered cell lines, patient-derived xenograft models and transgenic mouse models with different genetic lesions. We hope to understand how genetic and epigenetic changes associated with B-cell lymphoma create dependencies or characteristics that can be targeted through rational therapeutic interventions to improve patient outcomes.
Project Term: October 1, 2020 - September 30, 2025
New York University School of Medicine
Although new targeted therapies have been discovered and approved for the treatment of various types of leukemia, in many cases patients do not respond or develop resistance to treatments. My LLS-funded studies shed light on the mitochondria adaptations which enable cancer cells escape cell death induced by the treatments, while suggesting novel therapeutic strategies.
Project Term: July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023
New York University School of Medicine
Current therapies for cancers driven by “RAS/ERK’ pathway mutations, such as juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), are either high risk (bone marrow transplant) or ineffective (targeted inhibitors). We have identified a unique dependency of JMML cell growth for a group of ERK targets, which are not required for normal blood cell growth. We are investigating this further and aim to identify the ERK targets responsible, which may provide new drug targets to treat JMML and other cancers.
Project Term: July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2022
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
My overall focus is to improve CAR T cell therapy for multiple myeloma. Our clinical trial uses CAR T cells targeting BCMA as first line therapy for high-risk multiple myeloma to assess whether early use of CAR T cells is safer and more effective than use in patients with relapsed disease. Half of patients will also receive CAR T cells targeting CD19 to assess whether this can improve the duration of response to anti-BCMA CAR T cells. Our goal is to evaluate whether early use of CAR T cells is a safer and more effective way to use CAR T cells for multiple myeloma patients.
Project Term: July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2024
University of California, Irvine
This project will evaluate a novel two-drug combination to improve killing of multiple myeloma (MM) cells. First, we will test the hypothesis that statins increase killing of MM cells by BH3 mimetics including venetoclax and the MCL-1 inhibitor AMG 176. Second, we will identify biomarkers that predict response. This project will have significant positive impact on two fields: repurposing statins for blood cancer, and application of BH3 mimetics to improve health and survival of MM patients.
Project Term: July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2022
University of Miami
Our lab is focused on understanding how age-related epigenetic deregulation contributes to driving the functional decline of the hematopoietic system we see as we age. We are using genome-wide sequencing approaches to understand the changes in human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) with aging at epigenomic level, along with in vitro and in vivo modeling of key changes that we hypothesize are the responsible drivers of the aging decline phenotype. Our overarching goal is to identify key drivers of functional HSPC decline to ultimately develop methods for modulating these drivers and achieve HSC rejuvenation.
Project Term: July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2023
Who We Fund
Learn more about the inspiring blood cancer scientists we support—and leading biotech companies we partner with— who are working to find cures and help blood cancer patients live longer, better lives.
Research Grants
We award grants for studies that range from basic blood cancer research to pioneering clinical trials. For more than seventy years, Blood Cancer United support has been instrumental in the development of the vast majority of breakthroughs in blood cancer treatment.
Therapy Acceleration Program ®(TAP)
TAP is a mission-driven, strategic venture philanthropy initiative that seeks to accelerate the development of innovative blood cancer therapeutics and change the standard of care while also generating a return on investment for the Blood Cancer United mission. TAP collaborates with biotech companies to support the development of novel platforms, first-in-class assets addressing high unmet medical needs, emerging patient populations, and orphan indications.