Current IWMF Research Projects
IWMF grant funding for research projects has helped to provide an understanding of the basic biology and genetics of WM. This research in turn has played a significant role in the development of treatments and treatment guidelines in current use, as well as potential new drugs still in the pipeline. The goal of our research program is to improve quality of life for WM patients and, ultimately, discover a cure.
The Foundation has a rigorous process in place for all research grant proposals, which includes review by an independent committee composed of selected members of the IWMF Scientific Advisory Committee and other experts in the field. The awarding of research grants is ultimately subject to IWMF Board of Trustees approval. Researchers who receive grant awards must submit periodic progress reports, including a layman’s summary, to the volunteer IWMF Research Committee for review and comment. A PDF of current IWMF research project recipients is available here.
IWMF / LLS Strategic Research Roadmap Initiative
Because of exciting advances in our understanding of the biological basis of WM, the IWMF decided in 2014 to update its research strategy and enlist the cooperation of many of the major players in the WM research community. To this end, the IWMF partnered with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to sponsor an annual Strategic Research Roadmap Summit, with the agenda is divided into five major topics:
Signaling – How do we find and block the pathways that WM cells use for communication?
Immunology/immunotherapy – How can we boost our immune system to fight WM?
Tumor microenvironment – How do we manipulate the bone marrow/tumor environment to kill WM cells?
“Omics” – What else can we learn about genomics, epigenomics, and mutations in WM cells that will improve the lives of WM’ers?
IgM Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) – How can understanding changes in the genome, transcriptome, and epigenome that accompany IgM MGUS progression to WM identify patients at risk of progression and interventions that may prevent or suppress progression?
All research projects that are funded by the Strategic Research Roadmap Initiative are marked accordingly.