This grant helps support a Pediatric Cancer Genomics (PGen) research conference planned for January 2014, hosted by Translational Genomics Research Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. Attending will be leaders in national and international translational cancer genomics, to focus on all aspects of pediatric cancer research.

Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer. Some types of leukemia cells have abnormal genetic material. One of these abnormalities is known to affect the CALM protein, which is essential for the cell to obtain iron from the body that is necessary for cell growth. Dr. Heath believes that leukemias with the abnormal CALM-AF10 protein will not have enough iron and by reducing the amount of iron available to them, the leukemia cells may be affected. This research project attempts to prove that these two mutations can cooperate to form leukemia. Dr. Heath also attempts to show that mutations of WT1 cause cells to function abnormally, which contribute to the development of leukemia. Preliminary work shows that cells with WT1 mutations grow faster and more aggressively. The first model to study the cooperation of FLT3/ITD and WT1 mutations has been created. Ultimately, if WT1 mutations are shown to contribute to the formation of leukemia, the development of a drug that interferes with WT1 could improve cure rates in patients with AML.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is treated with intensive chemotherapy that results in treatment-related toxicities in 80% of patients, some so severe that the patient does not survive therapy. Dr. Gramatges's research investigates genetic markers characterizing the subpopulation of children and young adults with AML who are at risk for severe treatment-related toxicities. Validation of these markers may lead to upfront screening of individuals with newly diagnosed AML, and in cases where these markers are discovered, modifications to the treatment regimen and closer monitoring to reduce treatment-related morbidity and mortality in this disease.

This grant funds a first year medical student to work in a pediatric oncology research lab for the summer. The experience may encourage them to choose childhood cancer research as a specialty.

This grant funds a first year medical student to work in a pediatric oncology research lab for the summer. The experience may encourage them to choose childhood cancer research as a specialty.

This grant funds a first year medical student to work in a pediatric oncology research lab for the summer. The experience may encourage them to choose childhood cancer research as a specialty.

This grant funds a first year medical student to work in a pediatric oncology research lab for the summer. The experience may encourage them to choose childhood cancer research as a specialty.

This grant funds a first year medical student to work in a pediatric oncology research lab for the summer. The experience may encourage them to choose childhood cancer research as a specialty.

This grant funds a first year medical student to work in a pediatric oncology research lab for the summer. The experience may encourage them to choose childhood cancer research as a specialty.

This grant funds a first year medical student to work in a pediatric oncology research lab for the summer. The experience may encourage them to choose childhood cancer research as a specialty.

This grant funds a first year medical student to work in a pediatric oncology research lab for the summer. The experience may encourage them to choose childhood cancer research as a specialty.

This grant funds a first year medical student to work in a pediatric oncology research lab for the summer. The experience may encourage them to choose childhood cancer research as a specialty.

This grant funds a first year medical student to work in a pediatric oncology research lab for the summer. The experience may encourage them to choose childhood cancer research as a specialty.

This grant funds a first year medical student to work in a pediatric oncology research lab for the summer. The experience may encourage them to choose childhood cancer research as a specialty.

This grant funds a first year medical student to work in a pediatric oncology research lab for the summer. The experience may encourage them to choose childhood cancer research as a specialty.

This grant funds a first year medical student to work in a pediatric oncology research lab for the summer. The experience may encourage them to choose childhood cancer research as a specialty.

This grant funds a first year medical student to work in a pediatric oncology research lab for the summer. The experience may encourage them to choose childhood cancer research as a specialty.

This grant funds a first year medical student to work in a pediatric oncology research lab for the summer. The experience may encourage them to choose childhood cancer research as a specialty.

This grant funds a first year medical student to work in a pediatric oncology research lab for the summer. The experience may encourage them to choose childhood cancer research as a specialty.

This grant funds a first year medical student to work in a pediatric oncology research lab for the summer. The experience may encourage them to choose childhood cancer research as a specialty.