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MLL (Mixed Lineage Leukemia)-rearranged leukemias are one of the most prevalent childhoods leukemias and carries poor to intermediate prognosis. Current therapy is still inadequate for MLL-rearranged (MLLr) leukemias, highlighting the need to develop better therapeutics. A protein complex that helps to rearrange the packing of genomic DNA within the cell, the BAF chromatin remodeling complex, is vital for MLLr leukemia cell survival. In addition, loss of BAF complex has also been shown to boost anti-tumor immunity in previous published studies. Dr. Zhu and colleagues will target BAF complex leads to dual effects of eradicating leukemia cells, boosting anti-tumor immunity which synergizes to curb leukemia. Dr. Zhu and colleagues' research will identify a novel dual acting therapy for MLLr leukemia.

This grant is funded by and named for Emily Beazley's Kures for Kids Fund, a St. Baldrick's Hero Fund. At the age of 8, Emily was diagnosed with Stage III T-cell lymphoblastic non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and battled through three relapses. Her family prayed for a miracle but discovered Emily herself was the miracle, inspiring a community to come together to show love and change lives. She had a dream of starting a foundation to fund research and named it “Kures for Kids”. Today, Emily's family and friends carry on her dream and her mission in her memory.