Marking the launch of its new initiative to accelerate the development of
blood cancer therapies, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society today announced a
collaboration with Ensemble Discovery Corp. of Cambridge, MA. The
Society-funded project will apply Ensemble Discovery's proprietary
technology (known as DNA-Programmed Chemistry) to identify cells
responsible for minimal residual disease (MRD) -- the low levels of cancer
cells that remain even after remission is achieved and which can result in
relapse. The goal of the project is to create a sensitive test to detect
the protein (BCR-ABL kinase) central to the development of chronic
myelogenous leukemia (CML).
The potential clinical benefit of the test is to develop a better
understanding of the disease remission process. MRD cells are resistant to
the benefits of the patient's initial therapy. The test will allow the
isolation of these cells and may lead to a better understanding of the
mechanisms of resistance. That understanding will enable the appropriate
selection of subsequent therapy based on the patient's disease status.
"Ensemble Discovery's technology has a unique capability that enables
the isolation of residual disease-causing cells, thereby allowing
scientists to focus on strategies to eliminate these cells," said Brian J.
Druker, M.D., Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute, whose
research led to the discovery of Gleevec(R), the frontline targeted therapy
for CML patients.
The majority of newly diagnosed CML patients treated with Gleevec
achieve durable remissions. However, despite these remissions the disease
persists at a low level as minimal residual disease in nearly all patients;
most would relapse if therapy were discontinued or if resistance to the
drug developed. While this test is directed at CML, it may also have
applications for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), acute myelogenous
leukemia (AML), lymphoma, prostate, lung and breast cancer, stroke and
autoimmune diseases.
The contract with Ensemble Discovery is the first agreement undertaken
as part of the Society's new Therapy Acceleration Program (TAP), which
supports private sector and academic-based projects, with the goal of
moving more blood cancer therapies into the development pipeline. The
Society will continue to invest in research at the early stages of
discovery, but this new initiative is directed at driving development and
regulatory approval of new blood cancer therapies at the critical clinical
stage.
"While maintaining the Society's current $60 million annual investment
in basic and translational research, the Therapy Acceleration Program will
use additional Society resources to bring more therapies to patients
faster," said Louis DeGennaro Ph.D., senior vice president, Society
research, and director, TAP.
The Society is committed to funding the proof of concept phase of the
Ensemble Discovery project. If the concept is proven to work, the Society
would provide additional funding to help with the creation of the product.
"We are very pleased to be engaging with The Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society on this program," said Dick Begley, president and CEO, Ensemble
Discovery Corp. "Our technology can offer unique advantages for simple,
sensitive detection of complex proteins such as BCR-ABL (the molecular
cause of CML) and signaling pathways implicated in many diseases."
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, headquartered in White Plains, NY,
with 66 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 $483 million in research specifically
targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made
4.2 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare
professionals.
For more information about blood cancer, visit LLS 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.
About Ensemble Discovery Corporation
Based in Cambridge, MA, Ensemble Discovery Corporation is developing a
nanochemistry platform to control chemical reactivity, which will transform
the way scientists discover new chemicals. Ensemble Discovery is utilizing
DNA-Programmed Chemistry (DPC), an innovative method for creating new
chemical bonds based on the groundbreaking work of Professor David Liu of
Harvard University. For chemical discovery, Ensemble integrates DPC into a
nanoscale selection system that combines chemistry, biology and informatics
to discover novel compounds. In its diagnostic programs, Ensemble uses DPC
to control the generation of detection signals in response to the presence
of specific molecular events underlying human diseases. Ensemble aims to
generate new products that address significant unmet needs in therapeutics,
detection and other specialty chemical markets.
About Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Leukemia is a malignant disease (cancer) of the bone marrow and blood.
It is characterized by the uncontrolled accumulation of blood cells.
Chronic leukemia progresses more slowly and allows greater numbers of more
mature, functional cells to be made. Most cases of chronic myelogenous
leukemia (CML) occur in adults.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
LLS
View drug information on Gleevec.