Project Funding

Funding Philosophy

In general, The Myeloma Research Fund believes that collaborative research which encompasses both laboratory and clinical experiments will yield the most useful results in the shortest period of time. This type of joint project is generally not emphasized by other funding agencies. Accordingly, the MRF was created to fund such activity. Research projects which have been and will be funded have the following characteristics:

Collaboration

The MRF wishes to encourage myeloma researchers to leverage the understanding gained in laboratory work with experience gained in clinical trials.

Multi-year time horizon

The MRF believes that projects with the required scope to yield useful clinical results take more than one academic year, and are expected to take three to five years.

Clinical component

Projects which will be funded should include one or more clinical trials.

Restrictions

The MRF cannot fund projects which include for-profit business activity. In fact, the MRF can disburse funds only to registered non-profit organizations.

Current Projects

The first project the Myeloma Research Fund has funded is a collaboration between the following groups:

1. James R. Berenson, M.D.
Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research
The objective of these studies is to use pre-clinical studies to help guide further effective development of novel anti-myeloma strategies. 

2. Kenneth C. Anderson, M.D.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
This project focuses exclusively on development of therapies targeting the myeloma cell and its micro-environment. 

3. William S. Dalton Ph.D, M.D.
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
University of South Florida, Tampa Florida
The central theme of this research is that a better understanding of the molecular determinants of myeloma cell survival, drug response, and drug resistance will lead to development of improved myeloma therapies. 
Specific Aim #1:  To develop target based therapy for myeloma by studying the activity of small molecules that interrupt unique signal transduction pathways involved in myeloma cell survival and progression. 
Specific Aim #2: To investigate the hypothesis that the bone marrow microenvironment inhibits drug response by creating a sanctuary for myeloma cells.