Hematologic Malignancies
The Hematologic Malignancies (HM) Program combines the talents and expertise of outstanding basic scientists, nationally recognized clinical researchers, and translational investigators. The goal of the program is to leverage discoveries from member laboratories into clinical interventions for the treatment of malignant hematologic diseases. Disease specific areas of focus for program members include acute and chronic myeloid leukemia, myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), acute and chronic lymphoid leukemia, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma. HM members have made significant contributions to our understanding of molecular and cellular drivers of hematologic malignancies; specifically, in the areas of epigenetic modification, cellular signaling and gene expression. Translation of these results to clinical trials is facilitated by an extensive network of collaborative interactions between laboratory-based faculty and clinical investigators in the program.
Scientific Aims
- Identify key pathways that regulate hematopoiesis and lymphopoiesis and determine the functional significance of their alteration in hematologic malignancies
- Define molecular therapeutic targets and evaluate the efficacy of novel agents in clinical trials for hematologic malignancies
Future Plans
- Submission of multi-PI applications
- Targeted recruitment to achieve program objectives
- Expand collaborative HM activities
Program Leaders
- Elizabeth Eklund, MD, chair of the Molecular Oncogenesis Study Section at the NIH
- Leo Gordon, MD, co-PI of the Institutional ECOG grant for the past 20 years and internationally known for his lymphoma clinical and translational research
- Yan Liu, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Oncology)
Members
Program members have made significant contributions to understanding the molecular biology of leukemia and lymphoma in the areas of epigenetic modification, gene expression and disease specific abnormalities in leukemogenesis. They have also participated in studies to translate such observations into novel therapeutic approaches to leukemia and lymphoma. Active collaboration between our investigators resulted in use of nanotechnology to develop novel therapeutic approaches to hematologic malignancies. Patient pathologic/clinical sample banks are established for acute leukemia, chronic lympocitic leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and myeloma. Our program members actively participate in national cooperative groups, including ECOG and SWOG.