Last Updated: 11/29/11
The Ohio State University SPORE in Leukemia
John Byrd, MD, PhD
Department of Internal Medicine
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
320 West 10th Avenue
B320 Starling Loving Hall
Columbus, OH 43210
Tel: (614) 293-9869
Fax: (614) 293-7526
Email: john.byrd@osumc.edu
OVERALL ABSTRACT and PROJECT INFORMATION
The Ohio State University SPORE in Leukemia is focused on developing novel, individualized therapies for the treatment of acute and chronic leukemias. We will accomplish this goal through the application of novel prognostic factors and therapies developed as part of five integrated projects.
Project 1: Early Predisposing Genes and Risk Stratification for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Led by:
Albert de la Chapelle, MD, PhD
John C. Byrd, MD
Project 1 focuses on the identification and investigation of early predisposition and progression factors in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
Project 2: Molecular Characterization and Risk Stratification of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Led by:
Clara D. Bloomfield, MD
Guido Marcucci, MD
Project 2 focuses on epigenetic, microRNA, and gene expression profiling to predict treatment outcome and specific patient groups that will best benefit from targeted therapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Project 3: Lenalidomide as an Immune Modulating Agent for Chronic Lymphocyctic Leukemia (CLL)
Led by:
John C. Byrd, MD
Amy J. Johnson, PhD,
Kristie Blum, MD
Project 3 explores the mechanism of action of the unique agent lenalidomide in CLL, and seeks to develop new strategies to optimize its efficacy in this disease.
Project 4: Pre-Clinical and Clinical Investigation of MLL-PTD Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Led by:
Michael A. Caligiuri, MD
Guido Marcucci, MD
William Blum, MD
Project 4 directs translational and clinical efforts toward epigenetic therapy of MLL-PTD AML, a new approach that has shown very intriguing efficacy to date.
Project 5: Pre-Clinical and Clinical Development of Silvestrol in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Led by:
Michael R. Grever, MD
David M. Lucas, PhD
Project 5 focuses on a new therapeutic target, the inhibition of protein translation, in CLL. This project utilizes the novel natural product silvestrol that was identified and characterized in part by OSU investigators.
The five SPORE projects are supported by five cores including a leukemia tissue bank, biostatistics, bioinformatics, medicinal chemistry and administration cores that provide highly skilled individual support to the projects, pilot projects, and career development within this program. Given the rapid progress in leukemia research at OSU, which offers multiple opportunities to translate novel findings into early phase I clinical trials, the OSU SPORE has a robust network of pilot projects including the targeting miR29b and PTPRO as well as the development of FTY720 and non-nucleoside hypomethylating agents. The career development program within the OSU Leukemia SPORE, geared to educating the next generation of physician-scientists, strongly encourages women and minority applicants.
Collectively, the comprehensive OSU Leukemia SPORE, through the combined projects and infrastructure outlined above, seeks to aggressively translate novel findings to improve the outcome of patients with different subtypes of adult leukemia.
