RESEARCH FUNDED BY THE SOCIETY
BENEFITS THE TREATMENT OF OTHER DISEASES

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society funds over 450 grantees, pursuing the causes and cures for leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. In the course of this research, these scientists study various aspects of the normal and diseased immune system, the molecular causes of

blood-related cancers and various treatment regimens and therapeutic agents. While these research pursuits have benefited the fight against blood-related cancers, they also

have had significant impact on the treatment and cure of other diseases such as breast cancer, prostate cancer and other solid tumors, AIDS, autoimmune diseases and other blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.

Let’s look at several examples of this “cross-functional” research. The Society is currently funding important research into stem cell and bone marrow transplantation. Treatment of breast cancer has directly benefited from this research. New, intensive chemotherapeutic treatment of breast cancer with autologous bone marrow transplant is currently being investigated as an option for women with advanced breast cancer.

AIDS patients have likewise benefited from research funded by the Society. For patients with AIDS comes an increased risk (>80 times) of AIDS-associated lymphoma. Because highly active anti-retroviral therapies (HAART) reduce this risk, we have funded researchers who are searching for agents which will prevent the integration of the AIDS virus into immune cell’s chromosomes.

This may prevent or limit HIV growth and reduce the risk of AIDS-associated lymphoma.

A recent “cross over” therapy involves the new molecularly targeted leukemia pill called Gleevec™. Gleevec is an orally administered drug that inhibits certain enzymes that are mutated and drive the growth of chronic myelogenous leukemia cells. The Society has funded and continues to fund Dr. Brian Druker’s work into this new therapeutic agent. A related enzyme is altered in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Gleevec is a powerful new tool in the treatment of GIST with long-term remission occurring in 70 percent of patients, including those with distant metastatic tumors. Of course, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society funds research into the basic cellular mechanisms of growth regulation. Many genes which are mutated or altered in the evolution of various cancers are the same. These

altered genes are called oncogenes, if they help stimulate growth, or tumor suppressor genes, if they promote the normal limitation of cellular growth. Obviously, research that sheds light on how these altered genes disrupt cellular growth regulation is important for the development of new therapies for all types of cancers harboring these mutated genes. This year (2002), The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is spending $40 million on a national level supporting over 450 researchers working across the country and around the world. The Northern California Division is providing more than $5 million toward the research budget. The generosity of the Society’s dedicated donors supports our efforts to

end blood-related cancers and has significant impact on the treatment and cure of other diseases, as well. For more information about the Society’s research and donor programs, please contact Kelly Holian, Donor Development, in the San Francisco Division Office at (415) 581-1173.