Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

liquid biopsy research

This multiyear grant commenced in 2021 and funds a research project headed by Dr. Arash Alizadeh. Dr. Alizadeh has developed expertise in a technique called cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis. In this method, the DNA that is present in the blood is extracted and analyzed by very sensitive methods that can detect very minor DNA fragments. As tumor cells typically shed DNA (because the tumor cells die or release DNA by other mechanisms) and cancer cells typically contain mutations in DNA, it is possible to use DNA methods to assess the presence and progression of tumors without invasive methods, such as a biopsy or radiological methods. In this grant, Dr. Alizadeh is developing a computerized algorithm called Continuous Individualized Risk Index (CIR1) in newly diagnosed lymphoma patients which will allow him to determine the outcome probabilities for an individual patient in a dynamic fashion.

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Current Grant
$330,000

Grant Term
Three Years

Cumulative Grants
$333,000