CLL Global aims to fund patient-oriented projects with rapid clinical applications and to expand the knowledge of CLL on a global scale. The success of the foundation can be measured by the success of our grant recipients. Check out what’s been accomplished to date:
CLL Research Consortiums
CLL Global provided seed money for the formation of two CLL Research Consortiums, one in Australia and one in Israel. Both consortiums are providing new information beneficial for CLL research and allowing people worldwide to become more aware of this disease.
The CLL Australian Research Consortium and The CLL Israeli Research Consortium
CD3/CD28
CD3 and CD28 are proteins found on T-cells (immune cells) that do not function properly in CLL patients. CLL Global’s Alliance program is sponsoring a multi-center clinical trial using microbeads to “turn on” CD3 and CD28, allowing CLL patients’ immune system to function properly. Learn More
8-Chloro-Adenosine
8-Chloro-Adenosine (8-cl-ado) is a compound created by Dr. Varsha Gandhi (MD Anderson) and is currently being tested in a phase I clinical trial headed by Dr. William Wierda at MD Anderson. Learn More
Compounds from Nature
Nature is often overlooked as a therapeutic option for cancer treatment. However, CLL Global grant recipients are “going green” to fight cancer. Learn More
PEITC is a molecule found in vegetables such as broccoli and watercress. Dr. Peng Huang (MDACC) is turning this molecule into an anti-cancer drug. His laboratory studies have demonstrated that PEITC has strong anti-cancer activity when given in high concentrations. Presently, the compound is being formulated into capsules to be used in clinical studies.
CLL Global has also supported research being conducted by Dr. Neil Kay at Mayo Clinic using an oral green tea extract. In the initial study, asymptomatic patients were given varying doses of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major component of green tea. The majority of patients had a reduction in lymphocyte count and decline in lymph node size. Subsequently, the Mayo researchers have conducted a second study with similar findings. Both PEITC and green tea represent opportunities to use relatively non-toxic treatments to delay and fight cancer growth.
The Ripple Effect of Research Grants
Promising research funded by CLL Global often results in additional funding from other agencies. A pool of $5 million awarded by CLL Global translated into over $22 million of additional funding for CLL research. That means every dollar spent by CLL Global turned into an additional $4 of funding. It is evident that every gift has a ripple effect possible only because of philanthropic support. Hopefully CLL Global donors are impressed that their dollars are multiplied several times over with the potential of having far reaching global effects toward the cure of CLL.
Reserch Collaborations
Medical research is generally performed in silos, as each individual researcher has his or her own niche. By promoting collaboration, these niches can intertwine into innovative ideas at an accelerated pace. To fulfill this need in the research community, CLL Global created the U.S./European Alliance. Now, researchers are able to feed off of each other’s ideas and ensure there is no overlapping of research. Although this may not seem like a major accomplishment to those outside of the medical research environment, CLL Global stamps it as a major feat.
Patents Pending
Several of our grant recipients have patents which have been filed related to their grant projects.
