John Crispino, Ph.D.
Institutional Affiliation:
Associate Professor of Medicine
Feinberg School of Medicine
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
of Northwestern University
http://www.medicine.northwestern.edu/scripts/bio.pl?pid=5356
Education
Washington University, B.A.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Work
Harvard Medical School
Research
Novel Approaches to Targeting Megakaryocytic Diseases
Impact
Our goals are to 1) better understand the normal development of megakaryocytes, the cells that give rise to platelets, and 2) to identify drugs that will serve as new therapies for megakaryocytic leukemia.
Summary of Research
Leukemia develops when blood cell precursors grow excessively. There are many different forms of leukemia, which are classified by the type of blood cell that is affected or by the genetic abnormality that causes the disease. Unfortunately, there is no one treatment that works for all types. One very aggressive form of blood cancer for which there are few promising treatment options is Acute Megakaryocytic Leukemia (AMKL). This malignancy, which is generally fatal within 1 year of diagnosis, is caused by the uncontrolled growth of megakaryocytes, the cells that release platelets into the bloodstream to control bleeding. We are applying our expertise in megakaryocyte biology to develop novel therapeutics for AMKL. Our studies include basic research to better define the ways in which the human body regulates the growth of megakaryocytes. In addition, we also are developing new drugs that specifically target the abnormal growth of AMKL cells. Since this is a very rare form of leukemia, traditional pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are not able to perform research in this area. Our success depends upon generous support of the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation and on our collaborations with scientists in the SWCRF Institute Without Walls. |
