Introducing Two of Our Postdoctoral Researchers

Bing Cui, M.D.

Dr. Cui’s primary focus is developing novel immune treatment for patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) that target the protein ROR1, which we found on the surface of leukemic cells, but not on normal non-cancer cells. Because ROR1 is only found on the surface of the leukemia cells, but not on healthy cells, it can serve as an excellent target for therapy. Dr. Cui recently found that vaccination of mice with the adenovirus-containing the ROR1 protein could prevent the mice from dying of leukemia that expressed the ROR1 protein.

He is also working on the monoclonal antibodies development. Four new anti-ROR1 monoclonal antibodies specific for ROR1 were developed. Dr Cui found that two of these monoclonal antibodies can protect mice from developing leukemia . “With Dr. Kipps’ guidance, I hope we are close to the successful immune therapy of patients with CLL.” In addition, Dr Cui is also exploring the role of ROR1 in other cancers. If ROR1 has similar role in other tumors, this research could also be beneficial for treatment of other cancers.

Jessie-Farah Fecteau, Ph.D.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a disease into which one deregulated cell multiplies and invades the blood and tissues, like the marrow. In the tissues, CLL cells communicate with other surrounding cells, and manipulate non-leukemic cell survival and propagation. To develop new, more potent therapeutic agents, it is becoming increasingly clear that CLL cells should be targeted along with the disruption of the cells that support CLL cell survival, which are found in what we call the microenvironment.

In Dr. Kipps’ lab, I have been focusing my research on CLL microenvironment. I have developed a culture system allowing the study of supportive cells from the microenvironment directly derived from the marrow of CLL patients. These cells promote the survival of the leukemia cells in vitro, providing us with a tool to investigate the mechanisms of cell survival and the impact of new treatments on CLL cells in a microenvironment.

One particular survival factor produced by these marrow supportive cells is called Stromal cellderived factor-1 (SDF-1, CXCL12). One aspect of my work has been focused on understanding how this molecule contributes to leukemia cell survival and to find ways to inhibit its effect. From these studies, we found that the CLL cells of patients with aggressive disease survive better in the presence of this factor than CLL cells.

This survival benefit can be inhibited by a new drug called ‘Sorafenib’. We found that this drug can kill CLL cells in the presence of supportive cells from the marrow microenvironment. Sorafenib (Nexavar) is FDA approved for the treatment of kidney and liver cancer. Based on these exciting laboratory results, a phase II clinical trial of Sorafenib for the treatment of CLL is expected to open at UCSD later this year.

Since tumor microenvironment is increasingly recognized in many form of cancers to play a role in disease progression, all the findings we are making in CLL can open new avenues of research and understanding of cancer biology in other malignancies.

From the Desk of Dr. Kipps, Director of the BCRF

Postdoctoral researchers play an important role in the rapid advancement of research and science, fueling the advancement of science and new techniques in cancer research. Most of these trainees work from two to three years in academic research in a research laboratory to reach their goal of becoming an independent researcher. This system is mutually beneficial for our laboratory and the post doctoral researchers, by playing an influential role in shaping the future of the cancer translation research field.

The postdoctoral researchers receive an advanced education and engage in cutting-edge research. We benefit from mentoring and collaborating with the brightest young scientists in their fields. The postdoctoral training provides these researchers with the tools to take up the fight to find a cure for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and other cancers.

Donations play a large part in the success of the partnership between my laboratory and our postdoctoral researchers. Donations provide the essential resources to bring highly qualified young scientists into our laboratory to focus their research on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, which can be translated into other cancers.

Thank you for making this opportunity possible with your support!