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The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Honors Five Scientists for Outstanding Work in Blood Cancer Research

Posted on: Thursday, 28 June 2007, 15:03 CDT

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has named five researchers as Stohlman Scholars, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the advancement of blood cancer research. The honors will be officially announced at the Society's Stohlman Scholar Scientific Symposium on November 8, 2007, in Anaheim, California.

The Stohlman Scholars are Society Scholars who are in the fifth year of their research. Society Scholars are highly qualified investigators who have demonstrated their ability to conduct original research bearing on leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. These Scholars hold faculty-level or equivalent positions at major research institutions. This year's Stohlman Scholars include the following individuals:

-- Ravi Bhatia, M.D., City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA. Co-leader, Hematologic Malignancies Program, director, Department of Hematopoietic Stem Cell and Leukemia Research, professor, Division of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Dr. Bhatia's clinical interest is in treatment of hematologic malignancies and in hematopoietic cell transplantation, with emphasis on myeloid leukemias. His research interests are in studying the regulation of normal and malignant hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, therapeutic targeting of malignant stem cells, and hematopoietic stem cell therapeutics. -- Stephen J. Kron, M.D., Ph.D., The University of Chicago Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research. Associate professor, Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology. Dr. Kron's interest is in cell signaling and applying that knowledge to diagnosis and drug discovery for leukemia and other cancers. His laboratory has developed novel tools to measure the activity of the Bcr-Abl kinase in chronic myelogenous leukemia cells and to detect the degree of inhibition by Gleevec and other drugs. Their work has led to a laboratory test that may be useful in detecting sensitivity or resistance to Gleevec in CML patients during treatment. -- Christoph Plass, Ph.D., The Ohio State University and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH. Professor, Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, Division of Human Cancer Genetics. Dr. Plass' research is aimed towards a better understanding of chemical changes that regulate gene activity -- called DNA methylation -- and the role they play in human cancers. His laboratory uses the Restriction Landmark Genomic Scanning (RLGS) method, a two- dimensional DNA gel electrophoresis technique that allows researchers to compare DNA methylation patterns from healthy and malignant cells or from strains of mice to identify (polymorphic) markers that differ between them. His lab is also using RLGS to detect genetic alterations in human tumors. His most recent accomplishment is the identification of predisposing mutation in a gene called DAPK1 in a family with several individuals affected by chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). -- Guy Sauvageau, M.D., Ph.D., University of Montreal, Institut de recherche en immunivirologie et en cancerologie, Montreal, Quebec. Founding Scientific Director of the Institut, Canada Research Chair in molecular genetics of stem cells, and full professor of the University Department of Medicine. Dr. Sauvageau's work has led to ground- breaking discoveries in understanding the production of hematopoietic stem cells. With his research team he identified the potential for HOXB4 and Bmi1 genes in the self-renewal of these cells and went on to develop the recombinant HOXB4 protein that leads to the expansion of the hematopoietic stem cells. Clinical phases I and II of this work will soon begin with umbilical cord blood as a source of essential stem cells for patients requiring a transplant when there is no compatible donor. -- Michael Thirman, M.D., University of Chicago. Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of Leukemia Biology. Dr. Thirman's work is focused on critical genetic changes in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). His lab is studying the role of MLL and its partner proteins in the development of leukemia. Using model systems, Dr. Thirman's laboratory analyzes the pathways that mediate leukemogenesis with a goal of translating this knowledge into the development of new treatment strategies. His research team is testing novel agents, including peptides and small molecules that can target and disrupt the molecular pathways that result in the transformation of normal blood cells into leukemia cells.

"The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society believes that the work of these exceptional scholars and the more than 400 gifted scientists we are supporting around the world will result in substantial improvement in the lives of patients afflicted with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma," said Louis DeGennaro, Ph.D., the Society's Chief Scientific Officer. "The work being done by these gifted researchers shows great promise in advancing new and improved treatments for blood cancer patients."

The Stohlman Scholars are named in memory of Frederick Stohlman Jr., M.D., a major figure in stem cell physiology and blood cell cancer research.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society(R), headquartered in White Plains, NY, with 68 chapters in the United States and Canada, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $550 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made over 4.2 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

For more information about blood cancer, visit http://www.lls.org/ or call the Society's Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by master's level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

Contact: Andrea Greif Director, Public Relations (914) 821-8958

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

CONTACT: Andrea Greif, Director, Public Relations of The Leukemia &Lymphoma Society, +1-914-821-8958

Web site: http://www.lls.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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