The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada is pleased to announce the following research projects have been selected to receive operating grants this year.? Congratulations to all the researchers and we wish you much success!? Our hope rests in you.
Identification of novel therapeutic targets in adult T-ALL
Adult T-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) accounts for 25% of acute lymphoid leukemia.? It is a hard disease to treat.? Despite increased knowledge regarding genetic factors that contribute to the disease, current treatment options result in a modest 5-year survival of 40%. The goal of this study is to examine the role of a family of enzymes (called SRC tyrosine kinases) and an essential adaptor protein (called GADS) in T-ALL. Understanding the roles these enzymes and the essential adaptor protein play in T-ALL may lead to new treatments.
Improving leukemia immunotherapy by targeting TGF-b?in the microenvironment
After allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, the immune system of the donor reacts against the cells of the recipient that it identifies as foreign. This can result in the killing of all of the leukemia cells in the recipient, even in diseases that are incurable with chemotherapy or radiation therapy alone. Unfortunately, this is not always successful and leukemia relapses are still frequent. This project aims to identify the factors that can reduce the immune reaction against leukemia.
Interplay between miRNAs?and the Stat5?transcription factor in leukemias
Leukemia occurs when there is a change in the DNA of a single cell in the blood to make it leukemic?and then that cell multiplies uncontrollably. There are transcription factors found functioning in leukemias?that can activate genes that block cell division. They should stop the cancer in its tracks, but they don?t.? The researchers are studying if an altered expression of micro RNAs?in leukemias explains why transcription factors fail to promote a controlled cell division and instead drive an abnormal, unlimited production of cells that characterizes cancer.
Autotaxin as a therapeutic target for primary effusion lymphomas
Primary effusion lymphoma is a deadly cancer caused by the human herpes virus 8.? Results from studies indicate that cells infected with this virus express abnormal levels of a protein called autotaxin?that is responsible for the production of growth factors that nourish the cancer cells.? The purpose of the research project is to determine whether the removal of autotaxin from tumour cells will cause tumour growth to stop and if so, offer a new potential therapeutic approach.???????????????????
Dr. Clarence Geyer, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
IGF-1R antibody therapeutics targeting CML stem cells
Chronic myeloid?leukemia (CML) arises when blood-forming cells acquire an abnormal BCR-ABL?protein. BCR-ABL inhibitors (like GleevecMD)dramatically reduce the number of CML cells.? However, they fail to eliminate leukemia stem cells, which are responsible for sustaining CML. Preliminary findings implicate insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling in protecting CML cells from BCR-ABL?inhibitors. Researchers intend to create antibody inhibitors of IGF-1 signaling for developing therapies to eradicate leukemia stem cells.
SH2?domain mimetics: inhibiting oncogenic protein-protein interactions
Most biological processes involve intricate cell communication ?refereed? by permanent and non-permanent interactions between proteins. In cancer, many tightly regulated communication pathways involving proteins are persistently activated, leading to permanent changes in the genetic make-up that contribute to cancer. The STAT3?protein controls the expression of genes that promote cancer cell survival and growth, leading to the unregulated spread of cancer. This study seeks to develop specific, targeted therapies against the STAT3?protein. Researchers will prepare novel therapies that mimic STAT3 protein and thus prevent it from forming cancer-promoting protein complexes.
T cell leukemogenesis?induced by the SCL oncogene.
Acute lymphoblastic?leukemia of T cell origin (T-ALL) is considered a high risk group in ALL. ?Approximately 20% of children and 60% of adult patients diagnosed succumb to this disease.? The study will test the effectiveness of two drugs, cyclosporine?A and FK506, to prevent the development of T-ALL, by inhibiting leukemic?stem cells. Cyclosporin?A is well tolerated in patients since the drug is already in clinical use to prevent graft rejection after a transplant. This research may reveal a novel clinical use for Cyclosporin A and potentially open possibilities for new treatments of T-ALL.??????
Functional validation of EZH2?Tyr641?mutations in lymphomagenesis
Despite recent improvements, lymphoma treatment remains a challenging task and additional targeted treatments are urgently needed. Recently, mutations in the important regulatory gene EZH2?were identified in a significant percentage of lymphomas. The goal of this study is to develop mouse models in which this abnormality in EZH2 is recreated to understand its role in the development of lymphoma and to identify new ways to treat this devastating disease. ?
STAY TUNED TO OUR BLOG NEXT WEEK TO FIND OUT MORE CANADIAN?RESEARCHERS THAT?THE LEUKEMIA &?LYMPHOMA SOCIETY OF CANADA?IS FUNDING IN 2011.
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