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Defining the Mechanism of Genome Rearrangements in Ph-Like ALL to Determine Predictive Markers in High-Risk Hispanic Populations

Award Number: R37CA266042
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/14/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2027

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Defining the Mechanism of Genome Rearrangements in Ph-Like ALL to Determine Predictive Markers in High-Risk Hispanic Populations - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Philadelphia chromosome-like B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph-like ALL) is an ALL subtype that disproportionately affects the Hispanic community and is characterized as having a poor response to therapy, a high risk of relapse, and a peak onset in adolescents and young adults. While lacking a BCR-ABL fusion, nearly 65% of Ph-like ALL cases carry a rearrangement in the cytokine receptor-like factor 2 (CRLF2) gene, the most common being a chromosomal translocation with the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus (CRLF2-IgH) resulting in overexpression of CRLF2 and low survival. One comparative study found that Ph-like ALL occurred in 68% of Hispanics versus 23% of Whites and of those, 78% of Hispanics had disease associated with CRLF2 rearrangements compared to 22% of Whites, indicating a clear cancer disparity. The long-term goal is to develop predictive diagnostics based upon a patient’s genetic background to address cancer disparities. The overall objectives for this proposal are to leverage genetic and molecular expertise on the etiology of B cell malignancies to determine the mechanism underlying CRLF2-IgH formation and determine how changing levels of B cell-specific factors and epigenetic imprinting predispose Hispanics to this translocation and thus Ph-like ALL. The central hypothesis is that DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) leading to CRLF2-IgH translocations result from a mechanism involving activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) and DNA methylation and that differential regulation of these processes in Hispanics is driving the cancer disparity. The rationale for this project stems from results showing that CRLF2 DSBs resulting in CRLF2-IgH translocations are highly enriched in a 311 bp cluster region. DSBs within this cluster occur at motifs recognized by AID and these motifs contain CpG sequences that are also sites of DNA methylation. Evidence shows that meCT deamination is more detrimental that CU deamination and more likely to result in DSBs. Determining if aberrant AID expression and changing DNA methylation patterns account for increased CRLF2-IgH formation in Hispanics is critical in addressing the Ph-like ALL disparity and will be tested through three specific aims: 1) Define the molecular mechanism of CRLF2-IgH formation; 2) Determine genetic and epigenetic factors underlying Ph-like ALL disparities in Hispanics; and 3) Develop a molecular assay to detect CRLF2-IgH translocations and compare treatment response in Hispanics and non-Hispanics. The innovative aspects of this work are identification of a 311 bp DSB cluster associated with CRLF2 instability, application of new molecular and genomic techniques in human cells to address the etiology of Ph-like ALL, and the use of patient material from the UCI comprehensive cancer center that serves a large Hispanic population. This work is significant as it will address a major cancer health disparity in the Hispanic community and develops a novel diagnostic for early detection of new or relapsed disease while at the same time unravelling a molecular mechanism that is not only relevant to Ph-like ALL, but also to several additional B cell malignancies.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $406,847 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE	160 ALDRICH HALL	IRVINE	CA	92697	ORANGE	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	003	4	5/22/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$40,684
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE	160 ALDRICH HALL	IRVINE	CA	92697	ORANGE	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	002	4	4/10/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE	160 ALDRICH HALL	IRVINE	CA	92697	ORANGE	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	001	4	3/12/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$366,163
2025	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE	160 ALDRICH HALL	IRVINE	CA	92697	ORANGE	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	3	2/14/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $406,847

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $568,040 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE	160 ALDRICH HALL	IRVINE	CA	92697	ORANGE	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	001	3	1/24/2024	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$72,175
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE	160 ALDRICH HALL	IRVINE	CA	92697	ORANGE	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	002	3	1/26/2024	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$70,118
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE	160 ALDRICH HALL	IRVINE	CA	92697	ORANGE	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	005	3	5/3/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$20,188
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE	160 ALDRICH HALL	IRVINE	CA	92697	ORANGE	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	006	3	7/1/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$34,253
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE	160 ALDRICH HALL	IRVINE	CA	92697	ORANGE	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	004	3	4/22/2024	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$3,895
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE	160 ALDRICH HALL	IRVINE	CA	92697	ORANGE	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	3	1/23/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$363,401
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE	160 ALDRICH HALL	IRVINE	CA	92697	ORANGE	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	003	3	4/22/2024	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$4,010
														Subtotal = $568,040

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $570,379 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE	160 ALDRICH HALL	IRVINE	CA	92697	ORANGE	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	002	2	2/1/2023	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$76,351
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE	160 ALDRICH HALL	IRVINE	CA	92697	ORANGE	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	2	1/27/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$398,711
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE	160 ALDRICH HALL	IRVINE	CA	92697	ORANGE	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	003	2	5/17/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$17,878
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE	160 ALDRICH HALL	IRVINE	CA	92697	ORANGE	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	001	2	1/27/2023	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$77,439
														Subtotal = $570,379

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $540,445 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE	141 INNOVATION DR STE 250	IRVINE	CA	92617	ORANGE	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	001	1	9/2/2022	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$59,674
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE	141 INNOVATION DR STE 250	IRVINE	CA	92617	ORANGE	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	1	2/11/2022	NEW	$421,097
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE	141 INNOVATION DR STE 250	IRVINE	CA	92617	ORANGE	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	002	1	9/6/2022	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$59,674
														Subtotal = $540,445

Grand Total All Awards = $2,085,711

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Defining the Mechanism of Genome Rearrangements in Ph-Like ALL to Determine Predictive Markers in High-Risk Hispanic Populations

Award Number: R37CA266042

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/14/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2027

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