University of California, Los Angeles
$100,000 Tower Career Development Grant
Research Title:
Eph/Ephrin Signaling Regulates Multiple Myeloma in the Bone Marrow Vascular Niche
Multiple Myeloma is the second most common blood cancer. It arises out of plasma cells, whose normal function is to make antibodies to fight infections. Although in recent years the treatment has become more effective, Multiple Myeloma remains essentially incurable. One unique aspect of the disease is the close ties to the normal bone marrow cells, specifically the blood vessel cells. Without signals from these cells, the cancer dies. We don’t know which signals are the most relevant; our experiments are designed to discover that. This could form the basis for new treatments designed to disrupt these pathways to benefit patients.
Dr. Sasine is a physician-scientist who is developing new treatments for blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, MDS and multiple myeloma. In particular, he and his team studies how interactions between cancer cells and the microenvironment drive the progression of cancer. His lab is also investigating how to use novel cell therapies to deliver macromolecules to cancer cells.
Clinically, Dr. Sasine treats patients with blood and bone marrow disorders. He routinely uses autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplants (bone marrow transplants). He is also an expert in Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells and engineered immune cells.
Sponsor: John Chute, MD