Dr. Kipps is recipient of the Swim Across America Award.
2005-2008 Research Grant:
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the most common form of the disease in adults in Western societies, is considered incurable. 10-20% of newly diagnosed patients and more than 50% of relapsed patients have limited or no response to treatment, which leads to a poor prognosis for survival. Most of these therapy resistant CLL-patients are frequently associated with dysfunctional p53 due to deletions in the short arm of chromosome 17. Therapeutic options for these patients usually involve high-risk immunosuppressive treatments, which further reduces their lifespan. A new alternative [CD154] has the potential to sensitize leukemia cells to cell death [apoptosis.] Preliminary research findings have been corroborated in vitro and in vivo on patients treated under the phase 1b protocol and the first patients who have completed the proposed treatment course achieved a complete response. This strategy will test the hypotheses in the context of a gene therapy clinical study, with the aim of developing novel chemo-sensitization alternatives, not only in CLL but potentially in other types of cancer. In previous research, the team observed biologic and clinical activity without dose-limiting toxicity. The goal is to regulate the expression of proteins, genes and microRNA’s independently, so as to stimulate greater chemo-sensitization. Dr. Kipps, who has been working in the field for more than twenty years, is encouraged that a more effective treatment for this disease is within reach.
Current Research:
Dr. Kipps has continued to focus on CLL and other B cell malignancies. His work has led to the identification of various genetic factors that have been linked to the progression of CLL, and he and his lab are working on developing vaccines and drugs to induce an immune response to these factors that will inhibit, and eradicate, this disease. His studies have led to the development of clinical trials for patient’s suffering from CLL. The novel aspect of these clinical trials is that thanks to the research Dr. Kipps has conducted and the molecular markers he has identified, the patients participating in the trial can be separated into different subgroups to receive more specialized treatment. This method allows the patients the best chance of responding well to this new treatment and allow Dr. Kipps and his team to better understand the different markers and how they affect the progression, and determine the therapy needed to treat, CLL and potentially other cancers as well.
Dr. Thomas J. Kipps Gene Therapy for Lymphoma & Leukemia Award Recipient (2010)
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