Hematologic cancers include lymphomas and leukemias, which affect the lymph nodes and bone marrow, respectively. Together, members of the Hematological Malignancies and Hematology Center conduct research to better understand how to prevent and treat these cancers. The goals include:
- Identify new therapeutic targets to guide the future of treatment
- Develop new treatments for hematologic malignancies
- Identify inherited factors that increase the risk for hematologic malignancies
- Conduct clinical trials to expand the treatment portfolio for patients
Division of Hematology Biorepository
The Division of Hematology Biorepository at Huntsman Cancer Institute serves the research community by providing access to the tools, resources, and expertise required to carry out research in hematology. We collect plasma, serum, viable mononuclear and CD34+ cells, among others, from a variety of myeloid and lymphoid diseases. Samples are highly annotated and custom clinical annotation is available to find samples that meet your criteria. We can collect fresh samples from your patient population of interest or work with you to determine which frozen samples will work best for your study. We have more than 60,000 vials, spanning 40 disease categories, with emphasis on myeloma, CLL, CML, CMML, and AML.
Additionally, we work with clinical investigators to conduct laboratory studies that can provide data to support investigator-initiated clinical trials. We provide input regarding experiments and budgets, as well as the hands-on expertise to carry your ideas from inception to FDA submission. We can also perform correlative studies to enhance the findings from clinical trials.
Please contact us to discuss your study.
View publications that include patient samples from the Division of Hematology Biorepository.
Hematology Drug Discovery Program
We screen small molecules that are in development in other indications within oncology for activity against acute myeloid leukemia. Molecules that have passed Phase I safety evaluation are screened against a panel of cell lines +/- stromal support and analyzed for apoptosis. Promising candidates are screened against a panel of primary samples from AML patients and are further evaluated by xenograft with SPECT/CT + PET/MRI. Molecules with in vivo activity will be evaluated by an investigator-initiated trial at Huntsman Cancer Institute.
All discussions and results are confidential and subject to CDA/NDA.
A Sample of Current Projects
Correlating clinical outcomes and gene expression
Center members are working to identify subgroups of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), using gene expression profiling in tumor samples. They will correlate the gene expression profiles with clinical characteristics and outcomes. Broader objectives include identifying appropriate treatments for the different types as new metabolic therapies become available.
Identifying genes for inherited susceptibility to multiple myeloma
Working from the unique resources of the Utah Population Database, the center looks for genes associated with a familial risk for multiple myeloma. Evidence suggests a familial predisposition for this disease, but the genes are still unknown. Finding them could potentially lead to earlier identification of the disease and perhaps new therapeutic approaches.
Investigating new treatment approaches for myelofibrosis
With support from a pharmaceutical company, the Division of Hematology Biorepository is evaluating novel combinations of small molecules that are hypothesized to induce apoptosis in myelofibrosis cells.
Hematological Malignancies and Hematology Center Leaders
Douglas W. Sborov, MD, MS
Shannon Buckley, PhD
