# 12 Hematologic Malignancies

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR · 2020 · $18,676

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The Hematologic Malignancies Program (HMP) is a multidisciplinary, collaborative group of basic, translational,
and clinical investigators that includes 74 members (46 primary, 28 associate) from 11 departments. The HMP
is led by Robert Z. Orlowski, a laboratory-based physician-scientist with expertise in plasma cell biology, protein
homeostasis, and drug resistance; Michael Andreeff, a laboratory-based physician-scientist focusing on
lymphoid and myeloid cell biology, apoptotic signaling, and stem cell biology; and Hagop M. Kantarjian, a
clinician-scientist who is an authority on clinical and translational leukemia biology. Members of the HMP pursue
the goal of enhancing our understanding of the pathobiology of hematologic malignancies, and leveraging this
new knowledge to develop effective personalized, targeted treatment strategies that ultimately will enable us to
cure all patients with these diseases. To achieve this goal, the HMP has the following specific aims: Aim 1: To
study the epigenome and identify novel drivers of malignant disease and to develop therapies targeted to these
features; Aim 2: To develop antibodies, vaccines, and adoptive cellular immunotherapies that boost immune
recognition and eliminate malignant cells; Aim 3: To define microenvironmental influences on tumor biology and
drug resistance that modulate biomarkers and regulate chemosensitivity; and Aim 4: To validate novel therapies
in preclinical models and translate them in a rational, biomarker-driven approach to maximize their impact upon
patient outcomes. Program annual direct peer-reviewed funding totals $6.7M, of which $3.8M (57%) is from the
National Cancer Institute, including a SPORE in Leukemia. The HMP is leveraging strategic industry alliances
and the MD Anderson Moon Shots Program to enhance the breadth of investigator-initiated translational studies
and to strengthen understanding of basic biology of these malignancies. Over the last six years, HMP
investigators have authored more than 2017 publications where 1126 (56%) represent intra-programmatic
collaborations, 545 (27%) represent inter-programmatic collaborations, and 1192 (59%) represent inter-
institutional collaborations. Fifty-one percent of publications have appeared in journals with IF >5 and 20% in
journals with IF >10, including Cancer Cell, N Engl J Med, and Lancet Oncol. Program members utilized 14
shared resources. During the past grant period, program members contributed significantly to regulatory
approval of multiple agents for hematologic malignancies, including small-molecule inhibitors of Bruton tyrosine
kinase, BCR/ABL, B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2, and Janus kinase 2 as well as immunotherapies targeting CD19 and
other moieties.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9997829
- **Project number:** 5P30CA016672-44
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** ROBERT ZYGMUNT ORLOWSKI
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $18,676
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9997829

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9997829, 12 Hematologic Malignancies (5P30CA016672-44). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9997829. Licensed CC0.

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