Three-year grant to advance targeted therapies in treatment-resistant lymphomas
Atrium Health Foundation has been awarded a $749,000 grant from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Follicular Lymphoma Foundation, and the Institute for Follicular Lymphoma Innovation to support leading lymphoma research at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute. Conducted in collaboration with Wake Forest University School of Medicine, the study will test a novel targeted therapy to treat two challenging forms of lymphoma—mantle cell lymphoma and transformed follicular lymphoma.
Targeted therapies have helped revolutionize cancer treatment by precisely attacking cancer cells while sparing healthy ones, in contrast to traditional chemotherapy, which affects all rapidly dividing cells. Although small-molecule drugs are commonly used in these therapies, they can encounter issues like drug resistance and harmful side effects. To overcome these challenges, researchers at Levine Cancer are employing a next-generation strategy that incorporates multi-target inhibitors and pre-targeted nanoparticles to improve drug delivery and treatment accuracy.
Steven Park, MD, vice chair for research in the Department of Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders at Levine Cancer Institute, leads the study, which aims to deliver powerful triple inhibitors for drug-resistant mantle cell lymphoma and dual PROTACs for transformed follicular lymphoma. Preliminary results are promising, positioning Atrium Health at the forefront of lymphoma treatment advancements.
“Our research has the potential to unlock new treatments and improve outcomes for patients battling this complex cancer,” said Dr. Park. “Philanthropy accelerates these breakthroughs by providing the essential funding and resources needed for innovative studies. We are deeply grateful to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for its generous support, which brings us one step closer to a cure and offers hope to patients and families at Levine Cancer.”
Since 2017, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has been a dedicated partner of Atrium Health Foundation.
“The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is thrilled to continue our support of the dedicated researchers and physicians at Atrium Health who work tirelessly to bring the most innovative treatments to blood cancer patients,” said Orsi Giricz, PhD, senior director of research programs and communications at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
With the latest funding, Levine Cancer is poised to significantly enhance the effectiveness of small-molecule drugs, offering renewed hope for patients with drug-resistant lymphoma. This groundbreaking support could revolutionize targeted therapies and have impacts across a range of cancers.