Tracing how chronic lymphocytic leukemia can change into Richter’s syndrome
Official title: Tracing the Evolution of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia to Richter's Syndrome: Defining Transformation
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11391354 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A physician-scientist is studying why CLL sometimes changes into Richter’s syndrome and how this transition happens at the genetic level, with the goal of better outcomes for people living with CLL.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $189,000 |
| NIH project number | 5K08CA270085-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391354 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who may develop Richter’s syndrome or whose samples can be studied for CLL-to-RS transformation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to RS-focused monitoring or without RS transformation risk may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on understanding the genetic and epigenetic changes that drive the transformation of CLL into RS. Researchers will build on existing analytic methods to separate CLL and RS DNA and map how clones evolve over time using patient samples. The work includes identifying recurrent genetic drivers of RS and linking them to biological pathways that could become targets for therapy. The findings aim to clarify why some patients relapse or progress and to inform more precise treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal new targets and timelines for intervention to prevent or treat RS in CLL patients.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary analyses have identified RS drivers and developed pipelines to study CLL-to-RS evolution, suggesting this approach is promising but still early.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parry, Erin M — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Parry, Erin M
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.