Lead researcher
Dr Donia Moujalled
Institution
Monash University
Tumour type:
Leukaemia
Years funded
2018-2020
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is a blood cancer that has a poor prognosis due to resistance to current therapies and to relapse.
Targets common to malignant clones are regulated by the BCL2 family of proteins. We have shown that drugs targeting the pro-survival proteins BCL2 and MCL1 can cause cell death in patient samples.
This project will examine the ability of a BCL2 and a MCL1 inhibitor to eradicate acute lymphoblastic leukaemia – either as a single agent or in combination with standard chemotherapy drugs or novel compounds. We will also examine patient samples in a world-first clinical trial for adult patients at The Alfred Hospital.
Funding Body
Cancer Council Victoria Research Grant