Why Richter's syndrome responds or doesn't respond to treatment
Defining the determinants of response and resistance to therapy for Richter's Syndrome
This project looks at tumor and immune features in people with Richter's syndrome to find why some therapies work and others fail.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11179165 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have Richter's syndrome, researchers will collect your blood and tumor samples and connect them to your treatments and outcomes. They will use genetic sequencing, immune profiling, and other laboratory tests to compare tumors from people who respond to newer drug combinations (like PD-1 blockers with ibrutinib or venetoclax plus chemotherapy) versus those who do not. The team will also use patient-derived cell and animal models to test how specific tumor or immune features cause sensitivity or resistance. The goal is to find biomarkers and mechanisms that could guide better treatment choices for future patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia that has transformed into Richter's syndrome, especially those starting or receiving newer treatments or willing to provide blood and tumor samples and treatment records.
Not a fit: People without Richter's syndrome, those with other cancers, or patients unwilling to share samples and treatment data are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors choose treatments most likely to work and avoid ineffective options for people with Richter's syndrome.
How similar studies have performed: Some clinical reports show promising responses to combinations like PD-1 blockers with ibrutinib and venetoclax plus chemotherapy, but linking those responses to specific molecular or immune features is still largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Dana-Farber Cancer Inst — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Catherine Ju-Ying — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Wu, Catherine Ju-Ying
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 below.