The IWMF is pleased to congratulate the 11 young investigators recognized at the 9th International Workshop on WM (IWWM9) on October 5-8, 2016, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
The Young Investigator Awards (YIAs) were established to encourage interest, knowledge, and skills in the study of WM by young medical specialists, researchers, and postdoctoral fellows, thereby continuing to stimulate research that will sustain and improve patients’ lives.
The eleven (11) recipients are the researchers and clinicians whose research abstracts were selected by the IWWM9 faculty(link is external). The recognition of their work included participation in IWWM9, with funding provided by the IWMF, WM-Italy, and the European Waldenstrom Network.
The 2016 YIA recipients and the organizations funding their awards were:
| Awardee | Abstract Title | Institution | Country | Funding Organization |
| Constance Baer
|
MYD88 and CXCR4 analyses in lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma routine diagnostics need to consider mutations outside the L265P hotspot and follow-up testing | MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory, Munich | Germany | IWMF |
| George Chen
|
Acquisition of BTK C481S produces resistance to ibrutinib in MYD88 mutated WM and ABC DLBCL cells that is accompanied by ERK1/2 hyperactivation, and is targeted by the addition of the ERK1/2 inhibitor ulixertinib | Bing Center for Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | USA | IWMF |
| Eric Durot
|
Retrospective analysis of 56 cases of transformed Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. A study on behalf of the French Innovative Leukemia Organization (FILO) | Department of Hematology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Reims | France | IWMF |
| Simone Ferrero
|
MYD88L265P mutation detection in Waldenström macroglobulinemia by droplet digital PCR: minimal residual disease monitoring and characterization on circulating free DNA | Dept. of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Sciences, Division of Hematology, University of Torino, Torino | Italy | IWMF |
| Maria Luisa Guerrera
|
Chromosome 6q deletions are common in Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, and target regulatory genes for MYD88, CXCR4 and BCL2 signaling | Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia | Italy | WM Italy |
| Joshua Gustine
|
The high risk for symptomatic hyperviscosity in patients with high serum IgM levels can be used to support initiation of treatment in Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia | Bing Center for Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | USA | IWMF |
| Shahrzad Jalali
|
Identifying a role for PD-1/ PD-L1/PD-L2 signaling in Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia |
Mayo Clinic, Rochester | USA | IWMF |
| Lisa Kaiser
|
Characterization of endogenous CXCR4 inhibitory peptides to target Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia | Institute of Experimental Cancer Research, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm | Germany | EWMn |
| Aneel Paulus
|
Creation of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia digital avatars using machine-learning and systems biology algorithms exposes novel and clinically relevant therapeutic opportunities | Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville | USA | IWMF |
| Nickolas Tsakmaklis
|
Mutated MYD88 homozygosity is increased in previously treated patients with Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, and associates with CXCR4 mutation status | Bing Center for Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | USA | IWMF |
| Josephine M. Vos
|
Prevalence of MYD88 L265P mutation in IgM anti-MAG peripheral neuropathy | Antonius Ziekenhuis Nieuwegein (AZN), Nieuwegein and UMC Utrecht | The Netherlands | IWMF |
