Did you know that over the past 5 years, the WMFC has committed over $750,000 to fund research for a cure and improved treatments for WM?  Pretty darn good for an all-volunteer organization with so few patients having such a rare cancer.  80% of all WMFC donations go directly to WM Research!

Research makes a difference.  “Three years ago my whole world came crashing down when I was diagnosed with WM” says Anne.  “Through the advocacy of the WMFC Toronto support group, I was connected with Dr. Berinstein about to open a new clinical trial.  My participation in this trial changed my life.  I now feel better, but more importantly, I have so much hope for the future knowing that trials like this will continue.”

Active Research Projects Update:                                                

Dr. Hunter, DFCI, Boston (grant US$200,000):  This research is for a multiomic analysis of DNA, RNA and epigenomic networks in WM.  The WMFC has already paid US$120,000 toward this research and will be contributing a further US$80,000 in 2022.  Review the layman’s update of this research, as well as the full-blown update, at this link.

Over the years, the WMFC has supported the Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) for over $650,000 towards WM research.  And why DFCI?  The DFCI labs identified recurring mutations in most WM patients (MYD88 and CXCR4).  Their labs also identified that Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) was a downstream target of the mutated MYD88, which enabled a clinical trial with a BTK Inhibitor, resulting in the first-ever approval of a drug for WM: Ibrutinib.  This has led to other BTK inhibitors, such as Zanubrutinib, Acalabrutinib, Pirtobrutinib, and Nemtabrutinib, which are all used in current treatment or trials of WM.

Dr. Chen and Dr.Trudel, University Health Network, Toronto (grant $96,421):  This research focuses on the use of peripheral blood cell free DNA (cDNA) for genetic profiling in patients with LPL and WM. 

Future Research:  

The WMFC is presently finalizing details of a joint partnership which would double WM research funding in Canada in 2023.  We need your help to make this new research a reality.

And in May, WMFC will be keeping up with the latest research as WMFC board members attend the 2022 IWMF/LLS Scientific Committee Research Review, keeping an eye open for additional grant opportunities.

Donate here and help us all progress towards a cure!