Why some CLL cases turn into aggressive Richter's syndrome
Comprehensive dissection of the CLL genome & phenome to improve patient outcomes
Researchers are mapping genetic, epigenetic, and protein changes in people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia to find who is at risk of turning into aggressive Richter's syndrome and to point toward better tests and treatments.
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-11179160 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This program links genetic, transcriptomic, and methylation data from over 1,000 CLL patient samples with clinical records to look for patterns that precede transformation to Richter's syndrome. It also examines protein-level changes and uses genetically faithful mouse models to mirror human disease subtypes and test how tumors behave and resist therapy. The team aims to define distinct molecular subtypes of Richter's transformation and identify markers that could allow earlier diagnosis. Parts of the work use laboratory and animal experiments to validate potential drug targets found in patient samples.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with CLL—especially those with changing symptoms, suspected transformation, or who can donate blood/tissue samples and share clinical data—would be the best fit to contribute to this effort.
Not a fit: People without CLL or those with stable CLL who are not at risk of transformation are unlikely to directly benefit from this RS-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable earlier detection of patients likely to develop Richter's syndrome and point to new targeted treatments to improve outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Large genomic studies in CLL have already identified important subtypes and some therapeutic vulnerabilities, but comprehensive linking of multi-omics data to predict and treat Richter's transformation is still relatively 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.