The Leukemia Program at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute
and Brigham and Women's Hospital

The Leukemia Program at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital lead by Dr. Richard Stone, continues to make strides in the therapy of individuals with acute leukemia and related disorders. We continue to grow both in terns of additional clinical trials and interactions with growing numbers of world-class scientists as well as expansion with regard to patient volume and staff physicians. Our clinical volume continues to grow with over four hundred new patients seen annually. Twenty protocols were /are open to accrual, representing cutting edge bench-to-bedside research.

We now have a complement of 4 full time staff physicians (Drs Stone, DeAngelo,Wadleigh and Sirulnik) and many others including the physician scientists (Drs Letai ,Decpario, Frank, Chen, Levine and others) who cover our inpatient service. We now have 3 full time advanced practice individuals (Ilene Galinsky, RNP (senior research nurse practioner), Susan Buchanan MS, PA-C, Adriana Penicaud MS, PA-C) whom help with patient care and clinical trials.

We continue to work collaborating with premier research scientists including Dr. James Griffin Chief, DFCI Department of medical oncology and Dr. Gary Gilliland (Harvard … Center Leukemia Program Director.)

Achievement during the past year include:

1. Results of key clinical trial in which a genetically defined group of AML patients were given a targeted agent was published in Blood.
2. Results of a key clinical trial in which patients with advanced AML were treated with a novel targeted agent against the frequently activated FLT3 enzyme we completed for publication in Blood.
3. Completed a multi institutional trial of a novel FLT3 inhibitor in mutatnt FLT3 AML
4. Lead a multi-national trial in which a FLT3 inhibitor (at one of two dose schedules) was given in combination with chemotherapy in AML patients age 18-60.
5. Lead a multi institute trial in which MLN 518, a FLT3 inhibitor in combination with chemotherapy is given at escalating dosing to patients with AML.
6. Described a novel mutation in myeloproliferative disorders.
7. Published laboratory findings describing how other drugs work in combination with FLT3 inhibitors in mouse models of AML
8. Conducted two trials of novel tyrosine inhibitors in imatinib resistant CML patients
9. Worked with local scientists to develop gefitinib a small molecule kinase inhibitor in AML.
10. Worked with local scientists to develop a trial in T cell ALL based on a novel mechanism of leukemogenesis

The team of dedicated professionals at the Leukemia Program:

1. Richard Stone MD Associate Professor; Clinical Director
2. Daniel J. DeAngelo MD PhD Assistant Professor
3. Andres Sirulnik MD Instructor
4. Martha Wadleigh MD Instructor
5. Ilene Galinsky RN, MS, ANP-C Program Research Nurse Practioner
6. Farah Daftary Lead clinical trial support
7. Susan Buchanan Physician Assistant
8. Adriana Penicaud Physician Assistant
9. Clinical research assistants: Julia Mansfield; Danielle Cornett; Amy Theriault; Kaveh Riahi; Bracken Babula; Caroline Talbert
10. Xioqui Li PhD Post doctoral researcher
11. Suiying Liu Post doctoral researcher
12. Ed Fox Director Core Molecular Biology facility
13. Donna Neuberg PhD Biostatistician
14. Clinical Support team: Carmen Lopez; Terrie Greene; Matt Kramer
15. Administrative Support: Susie Crowley; Kelly Sullivan
16. Physician scientist: James Decaprio MD; Anthony Letai MD; David Frank MD, Ross Levine MD; Iris Chan MD
17. Gary Gilliland MD - Program Director
18. Jim Griffin MD - Medical Oncology Department Chief