1. health and fitness
2. disease
3. cancer

Research Report
Summer 2014 | Volume 12 | Number 2
About the Research Report
Research Report is
a publication of the
Lymphoma Research
Foundation, providing
the latest updates on our
grantees and their progress,
as well as on the work of the
Foundation. The Lymphoma
Research Foundation is
the nation’s largest nonprofit organization devoted
to funding innovative
lymphoma research and
serving the lymphoma
community through a
comprehensive series
of education programs,
outreach initiatives, and
patient services.
Inside this Issue
Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Workshop
1
Letter from the CEO
2
ASCO President Interview
News from the Field
5
12
Scientific Advisory Board 14
Foundation Update
15
LRF Convenes 11th Annual Mantle Cell
Lymphoma Scientific Workshop
Elizabeth Thompson, Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) CEO, and John Leonard, MD, Scientific
Advisory Board Chair, welcome attendees to the LRF Mantle Cell Lymphoma Scientific Workshop.
O
n April 23 and 25, 2014, more than
50 lymphoma researchers gathered
in Atlanta, Georgia for the Lymphoma
Research Foundation (LRF) 11th Annual
Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) Scientific
Workshop. This annual gathering, which
included LRF MCL Consortium members,
grantees, and scientists from the United
States, Canada, and Europe, provides a
unique opportunity for the world’s leading
researchers to share scientific and clinical
findings, discuss current challenges and successes, and strategize on the most important next steps in MCL research.
In their welcoming remarks, LRF Chief
Executive Officer Elizabeth Thompson
and Scientific Advisory Board Chair John
Leonard, MD (Weill Cornell Medical Center),
noted LRF’s commitment to MCL research.
As the world’s largest private funder of
MCL research, LRF has played a central role
in the advances made in this area. In his
opening remarks, MCL Consortium Chair
Leo I. Gordon, MD, FACP (Northwestern
University Medical Center) noted that LRF
grants have led to important developments in the field, including the sequencing of the MCL genome, identification
of new molecular targets for therapy,
research into molecular and cellular differences between MCL among individual
patients, and the development of a genetically based prognostic model to help tailor
treatments.
In addition to directly funding MCL
research, LRF plays an invaluable role in
promoting collaborations between scientists and clinical researchers and between
geographically dispersed research groups.
Connections facilitated through LRF have
led to the awarding of at least three large
National Institutes of Health SPORE Project
Grants and several other large federal
grants, and numerous smaller grants from
private sources. The pooling of expertise
Continued on page 2
Letter from the CEO
Dear Friends,
Over the last few months, I have had the opportunity to attend several noteworthy scientific
meetings. These programs offered the opportunity to learn firsthand about the latest issues
and advances in cancer research and provided the honor of meeting with some of the talented
clinicians and researchers who serve on our Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), work on Lymphoma
Research Foundation (LRF) funded projects, or contribute to Foundation patient programs
and clinical initiatives. The first of these, the LRF Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) Workshop, convened in late April, brought together members of LRF’s MCL Consortium, current and former
LRF grantees, and other interested researchers to discuss recent advances in the treatment of
this particular subtype of lymphoma. The progress made in the study and treatment of MCL is
remarkable and we invite you to read the proceedings of this year’s Workshop, which begin on page one.
I have also recently returned from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago. This year’s
meeting was particularly exciting for LRF, as SAB member Julie Vose, MD, MBA of the University of Nebraska Medical Center,
began her term as ASCO President. We are thrilled to have someone of Dr. Vose’s skills and talents representing patients, oncologists, and researchers not just in lymphoma, but across all cancers. A short interview with Dr. Vose may be found on page
five. We are also pleased to bring you an expanded News from the Field section, highlighting a few of the notable abstracts
in lymphoma research presented at ASCO by Foundation SAB members, on page 12.
We highlight two LRF events that raise crucial awareness and support for our mission while giving participants the opportunity to enjoy the warm summer months. The Lymphoma Research Ride, under the dedicated leadership of former SAB Chair
Bruce Cheson, has raised over three million dollars to date, and is preparing for its eighth year in Maryland this September,
while our annual Golf Invitational raised over a quarter of a million dollars May 2014. More about these events may be found
on pages 13 and 15.
The research and events highlighted in this issue would not be possible without your continued support and dedication to
our mission. On behalf of the LRF Board of Directors and staff, thank you for all you do to help us move forward in our efforts
to eradicate lymphoma.
Yours in purpose and progress,
Elizabeth Thompson
Chief Executive Officer
MCL Workshop Proceedings
continued from page 1
and resources that occurs through these
collaborations is essential for making
the greatest advances in MCL treatment. As renowned MCL researcher and
MCL Consortium Executive Committee
member Martin Dreyling, MD, PhD,
explained, “It is tremendous what has
been accomplished [through LRF and the
MCL Scientific Workshop]. This meeting
is instrumental for all the collaborations.”
This report highlights the themes of LRF’s
2
Research Report
11th Annual MCL Scientific Workshop investigational therapies, and updates
and provides a broad overview of each on recent clinical trials in MCL. The workshop also included a Keynote Address
presentation.
on the use of genomics research in MCL,
and a debate on the role of allogeneic
Scientific Highlights
transplantation versus novel therapies for
patients with relapsed or refractory MCL.
The 2014 workshop included presenta- Key scientific highlights from the meettions on topics spanning many aspects of ing include:
MCL research, including recent advances
in the understanding of MCL biology, • A recent data analysis identifying four
biologic and environmental factors
results of laboratory studies evaluatthat are significantly associated with
ing new potential targets for MCL therthe risk of developing MCL.
apy, findings from preclinical trials of
MCL Workshop- Highlights
• Laboratory studies identifying genes
that may contribute to the development of MCL, including ATM, NOTCH1,
and UBR5.
• Description of genetic material,
including microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs, which may also play a
role in MCL biology.
• Molecular characteristics which may
predict responses to certain therapies.
• Nearby cells and soluble factors that
may promote the survival of MCL cells
and resistance to therapy.
• Newer versions of active agents that
may overcome drug resistance seen
with some MCL therapies.
• Strategies being evaluated to
improve responses to therapy such
as the use of maintenance therapy,
the addition of radioimmunotherapy to autologous stem cell transplant, and the use of more intense
induction regimens.
• Combinations of targeted agents
which have shown activity in preclinical studies and will be evaluated in upcoming clinical trials .
• A cell cycle inhibitor currently under
evaluation which appears to make
cancer cells more sensitive to other
drugs.
• Cellular immunotherapy strategies
currently in early clinical trials, in
which a patient’s immune cells are
isolated, genetically modified to
have enhanced antitumor activity,
and infused back into the patient.
Foundation’s contribution to this critical
work.
Tao and his group have been studying
the interactions between cancer cells and
surrounding cells in the laboratory to try
Pathogenesis, Prognostic to understand these interactions at the
molecular level. The researchers found
Markers, and MCL Biology that certain proteins and small pieces
of genetic information, called microRModerator: Martin Dreyling, MD, PhD – NAs, are involved in these interactions.
University of Munich-Grosshadern
These findings help elucidate the biolScientists are making progress in under- ogy of lymphoma and mechanisms of
standing the biology of MCL and why the drug resistance, and may suggest a new
prognosis may differ between individual potential therapeutic target.
patients. This information may lead to the
identification of new therapies and help Kenta Yamamoto (Columbia University
guide treatment decisions.
Medical Center) discussed the potential role of the ataxia telangiectasia
mutated (ATM) gene in the biology of
lymphoma. ATM is normally involved
in the cell’s DNA repair mechanism,
helping to correct the genetic errors
that regularly arise in cells. However,
the ATM gene is often mutated in
lymphoma cancer cells and is inactivated in about half of MCL cases. To
better understand the potential role
of ATM in MCL, Mr. Yamamoto, who
works in the laboratory of Dr. Shan
Zha, MD, PhD, and his colleagues generated mice that lack ATM function
specifically in B-cells. Work is underway characterizing the lymphomas
that develop in these mice, to see how
they may correlate with human MCL.
Mr. Yamamoto is a young scientist
working toward a PhD. Hearing from
Mr. Yamamoto serves as a reminder
that the LRF not only provides support
to established investigators, but is also
helping train the next generation of
lymphoma researchers.
• Discussions of ongoing issues in
patient treatment, including the Jianguo Tao, MD, PhD (Moffitt Cancer Center)
role of and best agent(s) for maintenance therapy, the optimal use of In the opening presentation of the sestargeted therapies, and the optimal sion, Jianguo Tao, MD, PhD (Moffitt
induction therapy for both older and Cancer Center) reported results of laboratory studies investigating how the
younger patients.
environment around a tumor, called the
The research presented at the Workshop, tumor microenvironment, affects cancer
both by laboratory scientists and clin- cell growth and survival. Both direct cellical researchers, reflects the continual to-cell contact and the effects of soluble
progress being made toward the LRF mis- factors promote cancer cell survival and
sion to eradicate lymphoma and serve the development of drug resistance. Dr.
those touched by this disease, and the
Mamta Gupta, PhD (Mayo Clinic)
presented results of laboratory studies
investigating the potential role of long
noncoding RNA (LncRNA) in MCL biology.
Compared with microRNA, the functional
significance of long noncoding RNA is
not well understood. Recent scientific
studies have suggested a possible role
for long noncoding RNAs in the development of diseases including cancer.
Continued on page 4
lymphoma.org
3
MCL Workshop- Pathogenesis
MCL Workshop Proceedings
continued from page 3
Dr. Gupta and her colleagues conducted next generation RNA sequencing to
identify long noncoding RNAs in MCL
cells. The researchers found several long
noncoding RNAs that are present in lymphoma cells and may regulate the process by which certain proteins involved
in cancer growth are translated. They provided mechanistic evidence that a protein name c-Myc, which is involved with
cancer progression, is regulated through
GAS5 LncRNAs. These studies provide
new insight into lymphoma biology and
suggest LncRNA such as GAS5 a new
potential target for lymphoma therapy.
David Yang, MD (Universit y of
Wisconsin) discussed results of studies determining the validity and potential clinical significance of using a technique called immunohistochemistry
to assess levels of the cancer-promoting protein MYC in patients with MCL.
Previous studies have shown that a high
level of MYC genetic material (RNA) is
associated with poor prognosis in MCL.
Immunohistochemistry detects levels of
MYC protein rather than genetic material.
Because immunohistochemistry is relatively easy to perform, it could be a useful
technique if MYC levels were found to
have clinical significance. Dr. Yang and his
colleagues therefore conducted studies
in which they determined whether levels
of MYC RNA correlate with MYC levels as
assessed by immunohistochemistry in
patients with MCL and other lymphomas.
The levels did significantly correlate. The
researchers then found that MYC expression as determined by immunohistochemistry is independently predictive of
prognosis, and may therefore have clinical utility. However, Dr. Yang explained
that a larger study is needed to further
evaluate the use of MYC immunohistochemistry in MCL.
Girish Venkataraman, MD (University
of Chicago) shared a case study in which
4
Research Report
Mamta Gupta, PhD (Mayo Clinic) asks a question during a discussion period.
an MCL patient did not show the molecular characteristics that are typically seen
in MCL. In most cases, MCL is associated
with elevated levels of cyclin D1, typically due to a chromosomal translocation between chromosomes 11 and
14 called t(11;14)(q13;q32). However,
cases of cyclin D1-negative MCL have
been reported. In this case, the patient
had been diagnosed years prior with a
cyclin D1-negative low-grade B-cell lymphoma. The lymphoma responded to
treatment but eventually relapsed. Dr.
Venkataraman reported on the molecular characteristics of the lymphoma; at
this point, the lymphoma had cyclin D1
overexpression due to a translocation
between chromosomes 2 and 11 (t(2;11)),
causing an IGK-CCND1 translocation.
Investigating cases of MCL that vary from
the typical characteristics can help provide a more complete picture of MCL
biology and help accurately diagnose
patients.
Clinical Research in MCL
Moderator: Brad Kahl, MD – University of
Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center
Clinical researchers are evaluating new
ways to treat MCL along the disease
continuum, from initial treatment to
relapsed disease. Other researchers are
identifying risk factors for MCL, to help
predict who might be affected and why.
Changes are being made to the way large
clinical trials are funded in the United
States; these may help streamline the
clinical trials process, bringing the most
pressing issues to the forefront.
Ryan Cassaday, MD (University of
Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer
Center) discussed the potential use of
high-dose radioimmunotherapy prior
to autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for patients with persistent
or refractory MCL. In this investigational
approach, patients receive high-dose
radioimmunotherapy prior to ASCT to
remove as many tumor cells as possible
before transplant. The radiotherapy is
linked to a monoclonal antibody, allowing targeted delivery of radiation directly
to tumor cells and other cells expressing
the target protein (CD20 in this study).
The approach has shown benefit in other
types of lymphoma but has not been well
studied in MCL. Dr. Cassaday reported on
outcomes with the therapy in patients
with MCL who had received the therapy
at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center,
comparing outcomes in patients who
Continued on page 6
Interview with Dr. Julie Vose
An Interview with Julie M. Vose, President of ASCO
T
he 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Society of
Clinical Oncology (ASCO) included the induction of Julie
Vose, MD, MBA, FASCO of the University of Nebraska Medical
Center, as ASCO President for the 2014-2015 term. Dr. Vose is
a long time member of the Lymphoma Research Foundation‘s
(LRF) Scientific Advisory Board and has been active in several Foundation initiatives including the LRF Clinical Research
Mentoring Program, Lymphoma Rounds, and the North
American Educational Forum, which she co-chaired in 2008.
Dr. Vose is Neumann M. and Mildred E. Harris Professorial
Chair and Chief of the Oncology/Hematology Division in the
Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Nebraska
Medical Center, and the Associate Director of Clinical Research
and Co-Chair of the Lymphoma Program at the Fred and
Pamela Buffet Cancer Center. She took time out of her busy
schedule to answer a few questions for the Research Report on
her new role and goals for her term as President.
What prompted you to run for President of ASCO?
I have been involved with ASCO since I was a fellow with volunteering for many projects and committees including the education, program, career development, and most recently the
ASCO Board of Directors. ASCO is a multi-faceted organization
which does so much to assist oncology patients, families and
professionals that I became very excited by the programs that
ASCO offered. I wanted to be a bigger part of the solution for
making a difference for our patients with cancer by serving as
ASCO President.
What do you hope to accomplish during your presidency?
My goals during my term as ASCO President and on the ASCO
Executive Committee is to increase the knowledge learned
from current patients based upon clinical trial information
and from the 97% of patients who are treated off clinical trials
to inform the treatments for tomorrow’s cancer patient. We
will be doing this with the development of Cancer LinQ, the
ASCO rapid learning system. In addition, we need to use data
driven guidelines to enhance the quality of our programs so
that our resources are used wisely. Overall, we need to utilize
our healthcare dollars in a more efficient way to benefit our
patients with cancer.
How do you see your goals for your presidency affecting
lymphoma research and patients specifically?
The information learned from patients not currently on clinical trials will be evaluated and will assist us in formulating
either new treatments or combinations of older treatments
to improve the therapy for patients with all cancers including
Long time LRF Scientific Advisory Board Member
and new ASCO President, Dr. Julie Vose.
lymphoma. Also by being a visible presence and the face of
ASCO, I will bring lymphoma research to the forefront of the
oncology world for care and research.
How has your experience on the LRF Scientific Advisory
Board prepared you for working on a larger scale with
ASCO?
The LRF Scientific Advisory Board is an excellent process for
prioritizing precious funding raised from the Foundation. It
has been an excellent example of experts and scientists working together to enhance the future of lymphoma care and
research. The same collaborations exist in ASCO on a much
larger scale involving all types of malignancies. I believe that
cooperative agreements between non-profit organizations to
assist each other and not duplicate efforts would benefit the
research support available.
What are the most important things patients and physicians should know about ASCO as an organization?
ASCO is the largest international organization for oncology professionals and has 35,000 members. It has many programs and
activities that support education, patient advocacy, research,
and public policy. The mission of ASCO is to provide the physicians who care for cancer patients the information and support
to treat the patients with the best available therapies. Through
the philanthropic support of the Conquer Cancer Foundation,
ASCO hopes to assist in building a future that has a world free
from the fear of cancer. n
For highlights of the lymphoma research presented at ASCO, see
News from the Field on page 12.
lymphoma.org
5
MCL Workshop - Clinical Research
MCL Workshop Proceedings
continued from page 4
had undergone standard ASCT without
radioimmunotherapy. This analysis was
conducted retrospectively, after patients
had been treated, and thus was not
designed to directly compare the two
approaches. However, radioimmunotherapy was associated with better survival
outcomes after adjusting for important
factors such as disease risk, age, and
sensitivity to chemotherapy at the time
of transplant. Dr. Cassaday noted that
these results contradict results of the
Nordic MCL3 study, which did not show
a benefit with standard-dose radioimmunotherapy for patients in first partial
remission. He also explained that the
radioimmunotherapy approach used for
these patients is no longer available, but
it provides proof-of-principle for future
studies with alternative approaches to
radioimmunotherapy.
Peter Hosein, MD (Sylvester
Co m p r e h e n s i ve C a n ce r Ce n t e r,
U n i ve r s i t y o f M i a m i ) d i s c u s s e d
approaches being evaluated to increase
the efficacy of MCL therapy, including
using a more intense induction regimen
and adding maintenance therapy after
induction therapy. In two sequential
phase 2 trials, the researchers are evaluating four cycles of an intensified CHOPlike regimen and high-dose methotrexate alternating with a high-dose cytarabine combination, in addition to and
rituximab in younger patients with MCL
(median age, 57 years). Hospitalization
is required for the duration of treatment
due to the intensity of the regimen. Of 35
patients who were evaluated for efficacy,
34 patients attained a complete response
and one patient attained a partial
response. Maintenance therapy with thalidomide or rituximab was administered
after induction therapy in 32 patients.
After a median follow-up of 5.3 years,
the median progression-free survival
was 7.8 years and the median overall survival had not been reached. At 5 years,
84% of patients were alive and 57% were
progression-free. Dr. Hosein concluded
that this intensive immunochemotherapy
that does not involve ASCT compared
favorably with other intensive regimens,
including those using ASCT.
Martin Dreyling, PhD, MD (University
of Munich-Grosshadern) provided an
overview of ongoing and future clinical trials in MCL being conducted by the
European MCL Network. For the initial
treatment of patients younger than age
65, the MCL Younger trial found that
alternating courses of R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin,
vincristine, and prednisone) and R-DHAP
(rituximab, dexamethasone, cytarabine,
and cisplatin) was more effective than
R-CHOP alone as induction therapy
before ASCT. Other European studies
have investigated the potential role of
total body irradiation (TBI) as a conditioning regimen prior to ASCT Essentially, in
patients with residual lymphomas right
before ASCT, TBI results in a significantly
improved long term outcome . For older
patients, the MCL Elderly R2 trial is comparing R-CHOP versus R-CHOP/Ara-C followed by maintenance rituximab with
or without lenalidomide, and in elderly
patients a regimen of bendamustine plus
rituximab with or without ibrutinib is currently being evaluated followed by maintenance therapy with rituximab with or
without ibrutinib.
For patients with relapsed disease,
European researchers have investigated the role of allogeneic SCT using
dose-reduced conditioning for younger
patients and the use of radioimmunotherapy in older patients. Researchers are
also evaluating R-HAD (rituximab, highdose cytarabine, dexamethasone) with
or without bortezomib. Other molecular
therapies being evaluated upon a second
relapse, or for patients not eligible for
R-HAD, include ibrutinib vs. temsirolimus
and a three-drug combination of bendamustine, rituximab, and temsirolimus.
Thomas Habermann, MD (Mayo Clinic) presents data from the InterLymph NHL Subtypes Project.
6
Research Report
Thomas M. Habermann, MD (Mayo
Clinic) presented results of MCL data
from the InterLymph NHL Subtypes
Project, a large analysis incorporating
international data sets evaluating potential risk factors in several NHL subtypes.
Continued on page 8
MCL Workshop - Keynote Address
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Randy Gascoyne, MD
T
he MCL Workshop’s keynote speaker was Randy
Gascoyne, MD, Research Director, Centre for Lymphoid
Cancer, British Colombia Cancer Agency. A member of
LRF’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), Dr. Gascoyne has
been both a principal investigator and a collaborator
on LRF funded projects in both MCL and follicular lymphoma. Dr. Gascoyne discussed recent advances and
future directions in the application of genomics to MCL.
The techniques used to perform genomic sequencing
have improved dramatically since the first publication of
the human genome in 2001. The technology used today,
called next-generation sequencing (NGS), has already led
to many discoveries in MCL, including the identification
of several mutations that could be important in the development of MCL. Dr. Gascoyne reviewed the initial NGS
work to come from his laboratory, identifying recurrent
mutations in NOTCH1 and UBR5 in MCL. Dr. Gascoyne suggested that next-generation sequencing would continue
to have a profound impact on cancer treatment by better
elucidating the molecular biology of cancer, leading to the
discovery of novel targets for therapy. He also reviewed
the first NGS landscape paper published by LRF funded
researcher Dr. Elias Campo (PNAS, 2013).
Researchers have been exploring the molecular biology
of MCL for years. The characteristic genetic event associated with MCL, the t(11;14) translocation leading to cyclin
D1 overexpression, is important but not sufficient for the
development of MCL. An understanding of the additional
genetic alterations that may be involved could lead to the
identification of new therapeutic targets. It could be that
individual patients may require different therapies based
on the molecular characteristics identified at diagnosis.
Moreover, the type and frequency of these mutations may
change throughout the course of the disease, particularly
in the face of therapy. Dr. Gascoyne said that this type of
application of genomics “will revolutionize the way we do
medicine and the way we treat cancer.”
Dr. Gascoyne and his colleagues found that recurrent mutations in NOTCH1 appear to be associated with significantly
worse outcomes in MCL. Mutations in a specific enzyme (E3
ubiquitin ligase UBR5¬) are also recurrently found in MCL.
Dr. Gascoyne noted that the types of mutations present in
MCL cells may change over time as the disease progresses
and develops resistance to therapy. The researchers have
been investigating mutations associated with resistance
to specific MCL therapies. A better understanding of the
molecular mechanisms of resistance may explain why some
patients respond to certain therapies while others do not.
The researchers identified specific mutations (specifically
involving TRAF2 and BIRC3 genes in the alternative NF-κB
pathway) that are mutated in a subset of patients and likely
predict resistance to ibrutinib. These patients may benefit
from therapies that use other mechanisms of action.
Looking forward, Dr. Gascoyne asserted that targeted
genomic studies must be included into phase 2 and 3
clinical trials testing new agents in MCL. He suggested
that these studies are needed “to understand the impact
of these mutations on response to novel agents and determine resistance mechanisms, so we can achieve the goal of
precision medicine.” n
lymphoma.org
7
MCL Workshop- Novel Therapies
MCL Workshop
continued from page 6
Dr. Habermann noted that the etiology of MCL is unknown and no specific
causes have been identified to date. In
this analysis, various factors (lifestyle,
demographic, and health-related) were
compared among 14,129 patients with
non-Hodgkin lymphoma, including 557
patients with MCL, and 23,096 individuals without lymphoma. The researchers
identified 4 factors that were significantly associated with MCL risk. Individuals
who were male, had a family history of
a hematologic malignancy, or had lived
on a farm (but not farm workers who
did not live on farms) were associated
with an increased risk of MCL. A history of
Cristoph Rader, PhD (Scripps Research Institute) and Izidore Lossos, MD (University of
atopy (predisposition to an allergic reacMiami) enjoy a discussion. Both investigators are Foundation MCL grantees.
tion) was significantly associated with a
lower risk of MCL. Dr. Habermann concluded that these findings pave the way in 2014 to discuss clinical trial priorities mTOR inhibitors have shown some efficafor future studies investigating environ- in lymphoma. Dr. Smith indicated that cy in relapsed MCL, not all patients with
these changes will require a focusing of MCL respond to these agents and thus
mental and genetic risk factors for MCL.
efforts to identify the most pressing and newer agents within the class have been
Mitchell Smith, MD, PhD (Cleveland potentially practice-changing issues in developed. Whereas the current mTOR
inhibitors, such as temsirolimus and
Cancer Clinic) led a discussion on recent MCL treatment.
everolimus, block their target (mTORC1)
changes to the way large federally
through indirect effects, newer mTOR
funded clinical trials are organized and
Novel and Cellular
inhibitors directly interfere with mTORC1.
funded in the United States. Previously,
Therapies
Studies from Dr. Bi and colleagues prolarge clinical trials were conducted via
vide new information on how these
“cooperative groups” such as the Eastern
Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) and Moderators: Michael Williams, MD – newer agents, called ATP competitive
the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG). University of Virginia; Leo Gordon, MD, inhibitors of mTOR, interact with compoFACP – Northwestern University Medical nents in the cell to inhibit cell growth and
Over the past 5-10 years, there has been School
induce apoptosis. Understanding these
a movement away from having numerous independent cooperative groups A variety of novel approaches to MCL interactions may provide information on
towards a more centralized system for therapy are being evaluated. These how to most effectively use the newer
planning, organizing, and funding clini- include the use of investigational target- mTOR inhibitors.
cal trials. These changes are taking place
in an attempt to improve the speed and
efficiency of clinical trials, to optimize
scientific innovations, and to improve
patient recruitment. Under the new system, called the National Clinical Trials
Network (NCTN), clinical trial planning
and prioritization will be overseen by disease-specific committees and subcommittees. Dr. Smith is serving as the chair
of the MCL subcommittee; the broader
lymphoma committee plans to meet later
8
Research Report
ed agents designed to inhibit processes
important to cancer cell growth and survival as well as immune-based therapies
designed to harness the power of the
immune system to fight MCL.
Chengfeng Bi, MD, PhD (University of
Nebraska Medical Center) presented
results of studies comparing the mechanisms of action of different drugs within
the class of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, which include
temsirolimus and everolimus. Although
Selina Chen-Kiang, PhD (Cornell-Weill
Medical Center) provided an update on
studies investigating the potential use
of the cell cycle (the process by which
cells divide) as a target for MCL therapy. An investigational cell cycle inhibitor
called PD0332991 (palbociclib) is currently being evaluated in clinical trials of
various cancers. PD0332991 interferes
with the cell cycle by inhibiting specific proteins, cyclin-dependent kinases 4
and 6. Dr. Chen-Kiang and her colleagues
MCL Workshop- Novel Therapies
proposed that prolonged inhibition of
CDK4/6 in MCL cells may sensitize them
to the effects of a partner drug. To evaluate this hypothesis, the researchers conducted a phase I study in which patients
with relapsed MCL received PD0332991
in sequential combination with bortezomib. To identify genes that may be associated with responses to, or resistance to,
PD0332991, the scientists have been conducting functional genomic analyses of
MCL cells isolated serially from patients
These studies identified ways that a cell
cycle inhibitor may “reprogram” cancer
cells, making them sensitive to
other cancer drugs. These findings
may help elucidate genome-based
biomarkers for using these types of
drugs for MCL therapy, which has
broad implication for targeting the
cell cycle in human cancers.
also enhance the efficacy of other cancer
therapies.
C h r i s t o p h R a d e r, P h D ( S c r i p p s
Research Institute) reviewed his
research group’s progress on developing
targeted agents against ROR1 as MCL
therapy. ROR1 is a protein that is selectively expressed on the cell surface in
certain types of cancer cells, including
MCL. Because its expression appears to
be fairly restricted, ROR1 may a good
therapeutic target, as most healthy cells
would be protected. In 2013, Dr. Rader’s
produced monoclonal antibodies against
ROR1, generated antibody-drug conjugates, and are currently investigating
ways to increase the antibody-to-drug
ratio to enhance the potency of the antibody-drug conjugate.
Mariusz Wasik, MD (Abramson Cancer
Center, University of Pennsylvania) discussed an investigational immunotherapeutic technique that involves harnessing the patient’s own immune system to
maximize responses to MCL therapy with
other agents such as small-molecule BTK
inhibitor ibrutinib, the agent with
substantial efficacy in MCL. The protocol involves isolating a patient’s
T-cells from the blood and genetically modifying them to express
chimeric antigen receptors (CARs)
that recognize CD19, a protein that
is expressed on the surface of many
B-cell malignancies. These modified
T-cells are then expanded in numbers in the laboratory then infused
back into the patient; the modified T-cells may have an enhanced
ability to recognize and destroy
cancer cells. This immunotherapy
approach has shown efficacy in
other types of B-cell lymphoma.
Dr. Wasik and his colleagues have
begun evaluating the approach in
MCL, either alone or in combination
with Ibrutinib, in laboratory and
animal studies.
Richard Jones, PhD (The
University of Texas, MD Anderson
Cancer Center) discussed the
use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as a novel therapeutic
approach in lymphoma. IVIG is a
heterogeneous mixture of antibodies made from pooled plasma from
more than 10,000 blood donors.
IVIG is FDA-approved for a variety of
conditions associated with immune
deficiency and is used off-label in
various autoimmune conditions.
IVIG has a good safety profile and
has been used for more than 20
Leslie Popplewell, MD (City of
years. Dr. Jones suggested that IVIG Mariusz Wasik, MD (University of Pennsylvania) presents an
Hope) also discussed the use of
may have a role in the treatment of update on his LRF-funded research.
CAR-engineered CD19-specific
blood cancers, as it has been shown
to inhibit the growth of lymphoma cells group received a grant from LRF to devel- T-cells in MCL therapy. Dr. Popplewell
and other cancer cells in the laborato- op antibody-drug conjugates targeting and her colleagues have been evaluating
ry, and case reports have indicated the MCL. An antibody conjugate is similar to the technique in patients with relapsed
efficacy of IVIG in various tumor types. an unconjugated monoclonal antibody B-cell lymphoma to evaluate whether the
Dr. Jones explained that IVIG may work such as rituximab but is physically linked immunotherapy can maximize responsthrough numerous mechanisms. One with another component designed to es to ASCT. A phase 1 trial showed the
proposed mechanism involves suppres- increase the antibody’s potency and feasibility of isolating, treating, and
sion of heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70), minimize toxicity to other cells. The sec- expanding CAR-engineered cells and
a protein that is involved in resistance ond component may be a chemotherapy the safety of introducing the cells back
to proteasome inhibitors such as bort- drug, radiotherapy, or a protein designed into patients. However, in some patients,
ezomib. By blocking those resistance to enhance recruitment of other immune the modified cells did not persist in the
Continued on page 10
mechanisms, administration of IVIG may cells. Dr. Rader and his colleagues have
lymphoma.org
9
MCL Workshop- Debate
MCL Workshop
continued from page 9
blood. The researchers then modified the
chimeric antigen receptor, using a second generation model with a costimulatory domain in an attempt to enhance
the persistence of infused cells in the
blood and to further enhance their function. A phase I study evaluating the second generation anti-CD19 CAR+ T-cells is
currently underway in a group of patients
with B-cell lymphomas with infusion
shortly after autologous stem cell transplant during the period of pancytopenia
after high dose chemotherapy. Finally, Dr.
Popplewell described some further CAR
T-cell modifications that are currently
being evaluated in preclinical studies to
improve the ability to treated cells to recognize and bind to their target cells.
Mitchell Smith, MD, speaking on behalf
of Xiaoxian Zhao, PhD (Cleveland
Clinic), presented preclinical data on a
new potential combination therapy
approach for MCL therapy. To conduct
their laboratory studies, Dr. Zhao and
colleagues developed a novel MCL cell
line (based originally on cells isolated
from a patient with MCL) that has the
typical molecular and cellular characteristics of MCL. This MCL cell line allows the
researchers to evaluate the antitumor
activity of potential therapies. Dr. Zhao
and colleagues are evaluating the feasibility of combining ibrutinib with an
investigational agent, ABT-199. Whereas
ibrutinib inhibits the B-cell receptor signaling pathway, ABT-199 inhibits Bcl-2,
a molecule involved in regulating cell
survival. Targeting two different pathways important to MCL biology may yield
greater antitumor activity. In laboratory
studies, the combination of ibrutinib and
ABT-199 did appear to have greater activity against MCL cell lines. The researchers
conducted molecular studies elucidating the effects of these therapies at the
molecular level. Dr. Smith concluded that
10
Research Report
the data support further investigation of toxicity and mortality. Therefore, allothis therapeutic strategy for MCL.
geneic SCT is typically reserved for certain cases in carefully selected patients.
However, there is a reason that allogeDebate: Novel Therapies
neic SCT is still considered despite its
Versus Allogeneic Stem
risks—it has the potential to induce a
Cell Transplant
complete response even in patients with
treatment-refractory disease.
The introduction of novel therapies is
changing the treatment landscape for The decision of whether to use novel
MCL. However, the treatment of relapsed agents or allogeneic SCT was debated
and refractory MCL remains a complex by two workshop participants. The parand challenging issue in which many ticipants debated the best approach for
factors must be considered. Among the a hypothetical 63 year-old patient with
treatment options that are considered intermediate-risk relapsed MCL who has
for some patients with relapsed or refrac- a suitable donor for allogeneic SCT. Brad
tory MCL are novel therapies and allo- Kahl, MD (University of Wisconsin) was
geneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). assigned to argue in favor of novel therAllogeneic SCT differs from autologous apies and Koen van Besien, MD (Weill
SCT in the original of the donor stem Cornell Medical Center) was assigned
cells that are used to repopulate the to argue in favor of allogeneic stem cell
immune system after a conditioning regi- transplantation. Both clinicians agreed
men. Whereas autologous SCT uses the that the treatment of relapsed/refracpatient’s own cells, which are collected tory MCL is complex, and the decision
and stored prior to the conditioning for transplant-eligible patients is more
regimen, allogeneic SCT uses cells from realistically a question of how to best
another individual. Because the cells are sequence the use of novel therapies and
from another person, allogeneic SCT allogeneic SCT.
carries a much higher risk of significant
Brad Kahl, MD (University of Wisconsin) and Koen van Besien, MD (Weill Cornell Medical
Center) debate treatment options during a hypothetical MCL case study.
MCL Workshop- Summary
Arguing in favor of novel therapies, Dr.
Kahl noted that multiple novel therapies are now FDA-approved for relapsed
or refractory MCL including bortezomib, lenalidomide, and ibrutinib. Other
agents, including temsirolimus and idelalisib, have demonstrated efficacy in
early trials, as have novel combinations
such as lenalidomide and rituximab. Dr.
Kahl pointed out that durable responses
have been reported with some of these
novel strategies. There are also agents
earlier in development such as ABT-199,
which may provide additional options
in the future. Combinations of targeted
agents may yield even greater efficacy.
A planned clinical trial will evaluate ibrutinib administered along with other targeted agents in patients with relapsed or
refractory MCL. Given the potential benefit of targeted agents, Dr. Kahl concluded that targeted therapy would be the
preferred initial option for this patient,
reserving allogeneic SCT for a later time.
Arguing in favor of allogeneic SCT, Dr.
van Besien noted that allogeneic SCT
offers the potential for long-term complete remission. Although allogeneic
SCT is associated with a high mortality
risk, outcomes after allogeneic SCT have
improved in recent years even though
the age of patients undergoing the procedure has been increasing (and the risk
of toxicity is higher in older patients). Dr.
van Besien argued that patients typically
receive allogeneic SCT when their disease
is highly resistant to chemotherapy; if
patients could undergo the procedure
earlier in the course of the disease, when
the MCL is still sensitive to chemotherapy, outcomes could be better. In regards
of what type of SCT procedure to use,
Dr. van Besien noted that less intensive
conditioning regimens, called reducedintensity conditioning (RIC), have been
developed in an attempt to reduce toxicity. However, data suggest that RIC regimens are not necessarily less toxic than
conventional regimens. One approach
that could be considered is the use of
umbilical cord blood transplants, which
2014-2015 MCL Consortium Executive Committee members:
Brad Kahl, MD (University of Wisconsin)
Leo Gordon, MD, FACP (Northwestern University Medical School), Chair
Martin Dreyling, MD, PhD (University of Munich-Grosshadern)
Not pictured: Steven Bernstein, MD (University of Rochester)
Pedro Jares, MD (University of Barcelona IDIBAPS)
may cause less graft versus host disease
(GVHD).
Both speakers, as well as conference
attendees, emphasized the importance
of patient preference in developing a
treatment plan for relapsed or refractory
MCL. Particularly for cases in which there
is no clear path, the patient’s treatment
goals and preferences have a key role in
the treatment decision-making process.
Summary
For more than a decade, the MCL
Consortium has served as a valuable
resource for MCL investigators by providing research funding and promoting
collaborations that increase the impact
of individual research efforts. There has
been great progress in MCL in recent
years, leading to the development of
multiple new effective therapies. There is
still work to be done, both in the laboratory and in the context of clinical trials.
Scientists left the MCL workshop with
new ideas and strengthened connections, ready to press forward toward the
goal of eliminating lymphoma. LRF looks
forward to continuing to play a central
role in these crucial efforts.
LRF would like to extend special thanks
to Celgene Corporation, and Millennium:
The Takeda Oncology Company, for
supporting the Annual MCL Scientific
Workshop through unrestricted educational grants. n
To support LRF’s
research initiatives, visit
community.lymphoma.org/
supportresearch
lymphoma.org
11
News from the Field
News from the Field - ASCO Special Edition
The annual meeting of the American Society
of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) took place in
Chicago from May 30 through June 3, 2014,
convening over 25,000 oncology professionals
from a wide range of specialties. The following
are a selection of the significant studies in
lymphoma research presented by Lymphoma
Research Foundation (LRF) Scientific
Advisory Board (SAB) members during the
meeting.
T
he results of the RESONATE trial,
presented at ASCO and published
concurrently in the New England Journal
of Medicine (NEJM), provided further
evidence of ibrutinib’s (Imbruvica)
effectiveness as an alternative to chemotherapy. 391 patients with relapsed or
refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia
(CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma
(SLL) received either ibrutinib or the standard chemotherapy ofatumumab. The
one-year overall survival for patients who
received ibrutinib was 90 percent, a significant improvement over the 81 percent
rate for patients treated with ofatumumab. Former SAB member John Byrd, MD
of Ohio State University was first author
on both the ASCO abstract and NEJM
paper; SAB members Kristie Blum, MD of
Ohio State University and Sandeep Dave,
MD, MS of Duke University contributed to
the NEJM publication.
T
he ROMULUS study evaluated new antibody drug conjugates polatuzumab
vedotin and pinatuzumab vedotin with
rituximab (Rituxan) against each other in
relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell
lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL) patients, seeking to further
gauge their effectiveness and toxicity.
The two drugs demonstrated similar levels of effectiveness, with polatuzumab
vedotin showing response in 56 percent
of patients in DLBCL and 70 percent of
patients in FL, while pinatuzumab vedotin demonstrated response in 57 percent
of patients in DLBCL and 62 percent of
12
Research Report
patients in FL. The study is still ongoing;
further studies of polatuzumab vedotin
and rituximab are planned. A number
of researchers with LRF ties contributed
to this study, including SAB members
Ranjana Advani, MD, PhD of Stanford
University, Bruce Cheson, MD, FACP,
FAAAS, of Georgetown University, and
Oliver Press, MD, PhD of Fred Hutchinson
Cancer Research Center, and 2014 Career
Development Award recipient Catherine
Diefenbach, MD of New York University.
I
delalisib is an oral drug that inhibits
the protein PI3K, which contributes to
tumor growth across a variety of nonHodgkin lymphoma (NHL) subtypes.
Multiple studies of idelalisib were presented at ASCO, which is currently under
evaluation by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) in indolent refractory NHL and CLL. One abstract of note
looked specifically at idelalisib plus
rituximab in CLL subpopulations with
common genetic markers that generally indicate poor prognosis. Researchers
found that the combination therapy
remained effective across all these highrisk subpopulations, with 76.5 percent
of patients in the highest-risk subgroup,
achieving a response, a rate only slightly
lower than the 80 percent of patients
who possessed neither high-risk indicator. SAB members Bruce Cheson and
Andrew Zelenetz, MD, PhD of Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, as well as
former SAB member Susan O’Brien, MD
of MD Anderson Cancer Center, contributed to the abstract.
Three studies of idelalisib also ran concurrently in the May 29 issue of Blood.
The studies, available in full on Blood’s
website, further reinforced idelalisib’s efficacy in relapsed or refractory patients
with indolent NHL, MCL, and CLL respectively. Contributions to these studies
were made by the above researchers as
well as John Byrd and SAB Member Brad
Kahl, MD of the University of Wisconsin.
In an accompanying commentary, Bruce
Cheson noted that the growing number of positive results for oral agents
such as idelalisib “provide further encouragement that the possibility of a
chemotherapy-free world is, indeed, a
rapidly approaching reality in indolent
non-Hodgkin lymphomas, mantle cell
lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic
leukemia.”
A
new combination therapy of
lenalidomide
(Revlimid)
and
rituximab was also featured in multiple
abstracts at ASCO. A study by the Alliance
cooperative group of the therapy as a first
treatment in FL featured contributions
from SAB members Nancy Bartlett, MD of
Washington University Medical School in
St. Louis, Kristie Blum, and Bruce Cheson
and SAB Chair John Leonard, MD of Weill
Cornell Medical Center. Of the 57 patients
evaluated, 93 percent responded to
treatment, with 72 percent achieving a
complete response in an average of 10
weeks. 89 percent of the patients reached
two years without further progression of
their disease. The findings suggest this
therapy could be an effective alternative
to standard chemotherapy regimens.
H
odgkin lymphoma (HL) therapies
discussed at ASCO included the ongoing Echelon-1 study, which examined
the combination therapy brentuximab
vedotin (Adcetris) plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbaxine (A+AVD) versus
doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and
dacarbaxine (ABVD) as a first treatment
for advanced classical HL. This ongoing
trial is a response to an earlier trial comparing A+AVD to brentuximab vedotin
plus ABVD (A+ABVD), which concluded
that A+ABVD had an unacceptably high
rate of pulmonary toxicity (side effects
in the lungs) compared to ABVD alone,
but noted a lack of those side effects
in the A+AVD group. Researchers on
Research Ride
Lymphoma Research Ride Prepares for Eighth Annual Event
O
ver the past seven years, one of the
Lymphoma Research Foundation’s
(LRF) largest annual fundraisers has
been the Lymphoma Research Ride,
held in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Founded in 2007 by Bruce Cheson, MD,
Deputy Chief, Division of HematologyOncology and Head of Hematology
at the Lombardi Comprehensive Care
Center at Georgetown University, and
his wife, Christine Cheson, the Research
Ride is a non-competitive bike ride where
survivors, family, friends, individuals,
community teams and corporate teams
ride in honor and in memory of those
whose lives have been touched by Cyclists gather at the starting line for the 2013 Research Ride.
lymphoma. To date, this event has raised more than $3 million The funds raised by the Research Ride are crucial to supporting
dollars to fund and raise awareness for lymphoma research. LRF’s grant portfolio. The $455,000 raised in 2013 funded 85
Inspired by the success of the Maryland Research Ride, LRF’s percent of the 2014 Postdoctoral Fellowship grants. In 2014,
Dr. Cheson and the planning committee hope to surpass that
Chicago Chapter established their own Research Ride in 2013.
number, with a fundraising goal of $550,000.
Dr. Cheson, a long time member of LRF’s Scientific Advisory Board
(SAB) and Chair from 2010 through 2012, began the ride as a The 2014 ride will be held Sunday, September 28. Riders of all
way to give back to his patients. “The Ride is a truly extraordinary skill levels are encouraged to participate, and may choose from a
experience for the patients, their families, and caregivers,” 25, 40, or 50 mile route. Children ages 10 and above are eligible
Dr. Cheson says, “with music, food, and an amazing sense of to ride if accompanied by an adult rider. Training rides will be
held in the months leading up to the event. Non-participants
enthusiasm and empowerment.”
can sponsor the ride by donating to a specific participant or
An avid cyclist himself, Dr. Cheson fields his own Research Ride team, or making a general donation. Corporate sponsorships are
team that is often at the top of the fundraising totals – for the also available at a variety of levels. Volunteers are also welcome
2013 Ride, they raised more than $52,000. For their dedication to assist and participate in organizing the event. No previous
to raising awareness and funding for lymphoma research, the experience is necessary! For more information or to donate, visit
Chesons were honored with the Distinguished Service Award at lymphoma.org/Ride2014 or contact Laurie Alfano-Cristaldi at
[email protected]. n
LRF’s 2013 Gala.
News from the Field
continued from page 12
this trial, which include SAB members
Stephen Ansell, MD, PhD of Mayo Clinic,
Nancy Bartlett , Jonathan Friedberg, MD
of the University of Rochester , and Anas
Younes, MD of Memorial Sloan-Kettering
Cancer Center, hypothesize that simply
substituting the bleomycin in ABVD for
brentuximab vedotin will effectively treat
the disease while reducing the pulmonary
side effects. The trial is currently enrolling
at multiple centers in the United States,
Canada, Europe, and Asia.
S
elinexor, a targeted oral therapy that
inhibits the protein exportin 1 (XP01),
was featured at ASCO in presentations
of early clinical trials across a variety of
cancers. SAB member Andre Goy, MD of
Jon Theurer Cancer Center contributed
to a study measuring dose levels and
effectiveness of selinexor in 28 patients
with relapsed or refractory NHL. Patients
demonstrated a disease control rate (stable disease or better) of 74 percent across
all dose levels, with an objective response
rate of 28 percent. The trial is still ongoing,
but current results suggest the therapy
may be effective in patients whose disease is resistant to other treatments.
Additional studies are planned in Richter’s
Syndrome and DLBCL specifically. n
lymphoma.org
13
Scientific Advisory Board
Lymphoma Research Foundation’s
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD 2013 - 2014
The Lymphoma Research Foundation’s volunteer Scientific Advisory Board, comprised
of 45 world-renowned lymphoma experts, guides the Foundation’s research activities,
seeking out the most innovative and promising lymphoma research projects for
support.
There’s still time to participate in a late summer or
fall Lymphomathon! Since 2003, the Lymphoma
Research Foundation (LRF) has raised almost $11.7
million through its nationwide Lymphomathon
program. Funds raised by participants support
LRF’s mission of eradicating lymphoma and
serving those touched by this disease.
Puget Sound July 20
Chicago August 24
Los Angeles September 6
Philadelphia September 21
Arizona November 8
Register at
lymphomathon.org
Leave a Legacy
Remember LRF in Your Will
Your bequest can have a lasting impact on
LRF’s mission to eradicate lymphoma and
serve those touched by this disease.
To learn more about including LRF in your
estate planning, please contact us at
[email protected]
LRF National Headquarters
115 Broadway, Suite 1301
New York, NY 10006
212-349-2910
212-349-2886 (Fax)
[email protected]
LRF Helpline
800-500-9976
[email protected]
Stay Connected
14
Research Report
John P. Leonard, MD
Chair
New York-Presbyterian
Hospital, Weill Cornell
Medical Center
Leo I. Gordon, MD, FACP
Chair Elect
Northwestern University
Medical School
Bruce D. Cheson, MD, FACP,
FAAAS
Immediate Past Chair
Georgetown University
Hospital, Lombardi
Comprehensive
Cancer Center
Ranjana Advani, MD
Stanford University
Medical Center
Stephen Ansell, MD, PhD
Mayo Clinic
Nancy Bartlett, MD
Washington University
Medical School
Steven H. Bernstein, MD
University of Rochester
Medical Center, James P.
Wilmot Cancer Center
Kristie A. Blum, MD
The Ohio State University
Comprehensive Cancer
Center
John Chan, MD
City of Hope
Kojo S.J. Elenitoba-Johnson,
MD
University of Michigan
Medical School
Laura Pasqualucci, MD
Columbia University
Herbert Irving Comprehensive
Cancer Center
Richard I. Fisher, MD
Past Chair
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Temple University School of
Medicine
Oliver Press, MD, PhD
Past Chair
Fred Hutchinson Cancer
Research Center
University of Washington
Medical Center
Christopher R. Flowers,
MD, MS
Winship Cancer Institute of
Emory University
Nathan H. Fowler, MD
The University of Texas
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Jonathan Friedberg, MD
University of Rochester
James P. Wilmot Cancer
Center
Randy Gascoyne, MD
BC Cancer Agency
Andre Goy, MD
John Theurer Cancer Center
Kanti R. Rai, MD, BS
Hofstra North Shore - LIJ
School of Medicine
Sonali M. Smith, MD
The University of Chicago
Eduardo Sotomayor, MD
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
Louis M. Staudt, MD, PhD
National Cancer Institute
Center for Cancer Research
Julie M. Vose, MD, MBA
University of Nebraska
Medical Center
Michael E. Williams, MD
Thomas M. Habermann, MD University of Virginia
Mayo Clinic
School of Medicine
Elaine S. Jaffe, MD
National Cancer Institute
Wyndham Wilson, MD, PhD
National Cancer Institute
Brad S. Kahl, MD
University of Wisconsin
Carbone Cancer Center
Thomas Witzig, MD
Mayo Clinic
Neil E. Kay, MD
Mayo Clinic
Ann S. LaCasce, MD
Morton Coleman, MD
Harvard Medical School
New York-Presbyterian
Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Center
Izidore Lossos, MD
University of Miami
Carlo M. Croce, MD
Sylvester Comprehensive
The Ohio State University
Cancer Center
Comprehensive Cancer
Center
Ari Melnick, MD
New York-Presbyterian
Myron S. Czuczman, MD
Hospital
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Weill Cornell Medical Center
Riccardo Dalla-Favera, MD
Craig Moskowitz, MD
Columbia University
Memorial Sloan-Kettering
Herbert Irving Comprehensive
Cancer Center
Cancer Center
Owen O’Connor, MD, PhD
Sandeep Dave, MD, MS
New York-Presbyterian
Duke University
Hospital, Columbia University
Medical Center
Kieron Dunleavy, MD
National Cancer Institute
Anas Younes, MD
Memorial Sloan-Kettering
Cancer Center
Andrew D. Zelenetz,
MD, PhD
Memorial Sloan-Kettering
Cancer Center
Members Emeritus
Joseph R. Bertino, MD
Founding Chair
UMDNJ-Robert Wood
Johnson Medical School
The Cancer Institute of
New Jersey
Charles Coltman, MD
San Antonio Cancer Institute
Saul Rosenberg, MD
Stanford University School of
Medicine
Foundation Update
Annual Golf Invitational
Raises $276,000 for
Lymphoma Research
A LEGACY OF PROGRESS
A FUTURE
of PROMISE
2014 ANNUAL GALA
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014
MANDARIN ORIENTAL, NEW YORK
Steve Prince, Chairman, LRF Board of Directors,
and Jim Stern.
SAVE THE DATE
L
RF held its Annual Golf Invitational on May 19, 2014
at Quaker Ridge Golf Club in Scarsdale, New York.
The outing was attended by 80 golfers and raised
$276,000 to support our mission.
“The Lymphoma Research Foundation was honored to
host its annual Golf Invitational at the world-renowned
Quaker Ridge Golf Club,” said Steven J. Prince, LRF
Chairman of the Board. “This event was a wonderful
opportunity for golf enthusiasts of all levels to enjoy a fun-filled day on one of the best golf courses in
the world, while raising awareness and funds for lifechanging lymphoma research.”
Golfers enjoyed a round of golf on the pristine course
and beautiful spring weather, followed by a cocktail
hour, dinner and awards ceremony with prizes for contest winners.
LRF would like to express our sincere appreciation
to Steve Prince and Jim Stern, who served as the
Presenting Sponsors/Underwriters of the event; as
well as Michael Targoff, Tournament Sponsor. For more
information about the LRF Golf Invitational, including
photos from the event, visit lymphoma.org/golf. n
North American Educational Forum on Lymphoma
October 24 to 26, 2014
Manhattan Beach, California
The North American Educational Forum on Lymphoma is the most
comprehensive lymphoma-specific educational conference in North
America. This annual 2 ½ day program provides critical information on
treatment options, support issues, clinical trials and the latest advances
in lymphoma research.
lymphoma.org/EdForum
lymphoma.org
15
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE
PAID
NEW YORK, NY
PERMIT #370
Lymphoma Research Foundation
115 Broadway, Suite 1301
New York, NY 10006
2015 Grants
Now Open
Adolescent/Young Adult Lymphoma
Cooperative Group Correlative Grant
• Open to researchers pursuing correlative clinical/translational
studies in AYA lymphomas that are adjunct to a major
NCI cooperative group research project in lymphoma.
Young Investigator Grants
• Three-Year Clinical Investigator Career Development Award
• Two-Year Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Lymphoma Clinical Research Mentoring Program
For RFPs, visit lymphoma.org/research/grants ­or contact [email protected]
Application Deadline: September 3, 2014