Project Update 2020

As often happens in biomedical science, our initial experiments generate findings that pull back the curtain to reveal much more complex biology. That has certainly been true for our work. We started with the knowledge that GFI1 was critical to the survival of T-AL/L cells, that its partnership with LSD1 was pivotal to that role, and that an inhibitor of LSD1 (SP-2577) could trigger T-AL/L cell death. Since then, we have learned that our LSD1 inhibitor blocks the binding between GFI1 and LSD1 and disrupts interactions with other GFI1 partners important for leukemia development. Insofar as successful new drug development depends upon a thorough understanding of the biology underlying its target, we feel it is extremely important to expand our studies to address these unexpected but exciting findings. We hope they will increase the probability of successfully targeting the GFI1—LSD1 relationship for therapeutic benefit.

Project Update 2018

Since our project began, we have laid the groundwork for deploying a new drug to treat leukemia. Unlike current drugs that act non-specifically to kill leukemia cells, our drug targets two proteins, GFI1 and LSD1, that leukemia cells need to stay alive. By targeting leukemia’s Achilles’ heel, we hope to achieve better outcomes for patients but fewer immediate and long term side effects. Along the way, we have discovered new details about how this partnership between GFI1 and LSD1 works, which not only reveals new insights about how our drug might be working, but also suggests how our drug might be combined with others to work even better. We are really excited by both the treatment opportunity that lies right in front of us and perhaps an even brighter future.

Project Update 2017

“I thought you might be interested to know that we recently presented our work at an international workshop on T-ALL in Leuven, Belgium. This was a gathering of world leaders in this area of inquiry and it was an honor to be asked to participate. The work engendered a lot of enthusiasm and even forged a new collaboration with (Dr.)Tom Look (an ALSF Grantee at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute). Overall, it was a great experience and a terrific opportunity to showcase work supported by ALSF. Thanks so much!"