Druker, others receive research awards

NEW YORK — To accelerate the discovery of breakthrough therapies to cure or control leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is announcing the Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) program — one of the most ambitious research initiatives ever undertaken in the attack on blood-related cancers.

For the first time ever, a non-profit voluntary cancer organization is earmarking the same level of research dollars for the study of blood-related cancers — $67.5 million — that until now have only been available through the federal government. The Society is committed to funding a minimum of nine SCOR grants over the next three years.

In the SCOR program's first year, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has awarded three prominent cancer researchers $7.5 million each in grants covering breakthrough research to be conducted over the next five years. Specifically, the researchers will attempt to map the genes and develop novel treatments for leukemia and myeloma, two of the most devastating blood-related cancers:

Brian J. Druker, M.D. of the Oregon Health Sciences Center: Dr. Druker will lead his team to explore new ways to cure patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) with either STI571 (the "leukemia pill") alone or in combination with other forms of treatment. The team hopes to be able to answer some vital questions about STI571 such as, how does it work? Why do relapses occur in some patients with more advanced disease? Can STI571 be improved?

James Griffin, M.D. of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute: Dr. Griffin and his team will attempt to identify and understand the genes that cause acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), with the goal of translating these findings into new therapies, especially vaccine options.

Selina Chen-Kiang, Ph.D. of the Weill Medical College of Cornell University: Dr. Chen-Kiang and her team will be using the most advanced genetic and molecular advances to map the genes that cause multiple myeloma (an incurable cancer of the antibody-producing plasma cells which results in the destruction of normal bone tissue). This understanding will lead to new treatments for this cancer and could also result in better treatments for such bone-related diseases as osteoporosis.

Dr. Peter Quesenberry, M.D. of the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center and vice chairman of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's National Board of Trustees. Dr. Quesenberry was involved in the creation of the SCOR program and can speak about its significance in advancing cancer research.

Source: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society