The V Foundation for Cancer Research has awarded a $200,000 grant to Jason Schwartz, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, to support his studies of childhood myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), bone marrow disorders that can lead to cancer.
Schwartz and his colleagues previously have linked germline SAMD9 and SAMD9L mutations to a significant percentage of familial MDS cases, thus marking these genes as a new class of MDS-predisposition genes.
The grant will support an investigation of the molecular interactions and regulatory roles that these genes may play in inflammatory signaling, and how mutated SAMD9 or SAMD9L leads to the development of MDS.
“I am grateful to the V Foundation for choosing to support my research at this early juncture in my career,” Schwartz said. “I hope to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of MDS in SAMD9/9L-related syndromes so that we can provide increasingly individualized therapy for children with MDS.”
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded by former NCAA basketball coach Jim Valvano to achieve “Victory Over Cancer.” Since 1993 the foundation has awarded nearly $290 million in cancer research grants nationwide.
