Research in HCL and HCLv
Comprehensive Research: We take a comprehensive approach to research and discovery in hairy cell leukemia. Through our grant funding, we empower investigators to pursue groundbreaking research that may transform our understanding and treatment of this rare disease.
Patient Data Registry: In addition to research grants, we maintain an expanding HCL patient data registry, further supporting progress in the field. Learn why the HCL Patient Data Registry matters. >>
Published Research: Researchers supported by HCLF grants frequently publish their findings in leading scientific journals. Stay informed about the latest advances by following research updates. >>
Clinical Trials: Patients with HCL play a vital role in advancing research by participating in clinical trials. Eligibility depends on factors such as HCL subtype, disease stage, and prior treatments. Explore clinical trials. >>
CURRENT RESEARCH
HCL2025: Strengthening Our Understanding of the Molecular Basis of HCL to Develop Additional Therapies and Optimize Patient Outcomes
In 2020, the Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation and Blood Cancer United (formerly LLS) joined forces to launch HCL2025, a 5-year, up to $10 million research initiative. After a competitive grant review process, we awarded multi-year grants to eight investigators at some of the world’s best cancer research and treatment centers.
HCL2030: Expanding Research in HCL to Better Characterize HCL Biology, Develop New Therapies and Optimize Outcomes for Patients
The Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation and Blood Cancer United are collaborating again to invest $5-7 million in new research over 5 years. This grant opportunity has closed and we should announce grant decisions in March 2026.
PAST RESEARCH
Competitive Research Grants
The HCLF previously partnered with the SASS Foundation for Medical Research to jointly fund up to $2 million in hairy cell leukemia (HCL) research grants and fellowship awards. Our primary research focus included: Basic science exploring the biology of HCL; Correlative studies for biological and molecular markers associated with existing clinical trials where samples and clinical data are being collected; and Clinical research projects that contribute to studies providing real benefit for patients with HCL, including long-term follow-up studies, detailed quality of life studies, correlative lab studies and studies of new therapy options. This successful partnership ended in 2023.
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2021-2023 Grantees
Dr. Clive Zent, University of Rochester Medical Center, Wilmot Cancer Center, USA
Dr. Robert J. Kreitman and Dr. Evgeny Arons, National Cancer Institute, NIH, USA
2020 Grantees
Dr. Clive Zent, University of Rochester Medical Center, Wilmot Cancer Center, USA
Dr. Versha Banerji, The University of Manitoba, Canada
Dr. Robert J. Kreitman and Dr. Evgeny Arons, National Cancer Institute, NIH, USA
Dr. Chris Oakes, The Ohio State University, USA
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2019 Grantees
Dr. Leslie Andritsos, University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center, USA; and Dr. Claire Dearden, The Royal Marsden, UK
Dr. Ralf Küppers, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
Dr. Thorsten Zenz, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland
2018 Grantees
Dr. James Blachly, The Ohio State University, USA
Dr. Christopher Park, NYU School of Medicine, USA
Dr. Thorsten Zenz, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland
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2017 Grantees
Dr. Leslie Andritsos, The Ohio State University, USA
Dr. Judit Demeter, Semmelweis University, Hungary
Dr. Christopher Oakes, The Ohio State University, USA
Dr. Enrico Tiacci, University of Perugia, Italy
2016 Grantees
Dr. Omar Abdel-Wahab, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA
Dr. Brunangelo Falini and Dr. Enrico Tiacci, University of Perugia, Italy
Dr. Ralf Küppers, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
Dr. Philip Thompson, MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA
Fellowship Awards
In 2017, the HCLF and SASS Foundation launched the first cohort of HCL fellowship awardees with more than $150,000 in early career research support. Fellowship awards were aimed at investigators who wish to pursue a career involving clinical or fundamental research in hairy cell leukemia or related leukemia research fields under an experienced research sponsor's mentorship. We funded fellowship awards up to $75,000 per year. This initiative was completed in 2021.
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Dr. Fabienne Meier-Abt, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland
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Dr. Sascha Dietrich, University of Heidelberg, Germany
Dr. Wendy Pang, Stanford University School of Medicine, USA
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Dr. Sascha Dietrich, University of Heidelberg, Germany
Dr. Kerry Rogers, The Ohio State University, USA
Dr. Justin Taylor, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA
Establishing A Foundation for Non-Chemotherapy HCL Treatment
In 2017, we launched a successful partnership with the SASS Foundation for Medical Research and Blood Cancer United (formerly LLS) to jointly support $1.2 million in new translational research over a 3-year period. Through this partnership, we funded studies in chemotherapy-free treatment strategies for HCL. This initiative ended in 2020 and paved the way for additional research and clinical trials in non-chemotherapy approaches.
Dr. Jae Park from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Dr. Enrico Tiacci from the Institute of Hematology at the University of Perugia received funding through this initiative.
HCLF SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE
Since 2013, we have hosted an annual Scientific Conference focused on expanding knowledge of hairy cell leukemia. Our conference is aimed at researchers and doctors at HCL Centers of Excellence with experience in studying and treating HCL, and whose knowledge would be enriched by information sharing and discussion with other practitioners. This annual meeting helps to create synergy and eliminate silos in knowledge and treatment of the disease among experts in the field.
2025 Scientific Conference: Interviews with HCL Experts
We invited CURE (an online and print resource for patients with cancer) to attend the Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation 2025 Scientific Conference. CURE spoke with experts to highlight research, treatment, and patient-focused care for hairy cell leukemia (HCL) and HCL Variant (HCLv). Click here to watch the interviews. >>
2019 Scientific Conference: Interviews with Experts
Each year, our Scientific Conference brings together leading hairy cell leukemia experts. Over two days, conference attendees present research and difficult cases, and discuss strategies for collaborative study and consensus building in approaches to treatment. We invited over 50 doctors from 10 countries representing our HCL Centers of Excellence to attend our scientific conference on October 24-25, 2019 in Rome. Many of these doctors are past or current recipients of research grants funded by the Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation in partnership with other foundations. During the conference, these investigators shared exciting updates on their research and clinical trials. The conference featured high-caliber scientific presentations and discussion about optimal therapies for patients, as well as thoughtful conversations about opportunities for future research to further improve patient outcomes.
OncologyLive interviewed attendees during our conference and published excerpts of these interviews after the meeting.
HAIRY CELL LEUKEMIA PATIENT DATA REGISTRY
Many important questions still remain unanswered in hairy cell leukemia. More research is needed to elucidate outcomes in specific disease subtypes, complications of the diseases and their therapies, and other issues pertinent to patients such as quality of life.
Our Registry is a critically important tool that enables researchers to study hairy cell leukemia in ways not previously possible given the rarity of the disease. Through the Registry, we cooperate and collaborate with patients, doctors, and institutions around the world to collect HCL patient data. The Registry helps researchers identify new trends in patient outcomes, discover previously unknown complications of the disease, and design clinical trials for new therapies until a cure is discovered.
How Can You Get involved?
We encourage your institution to participate in the Hairy Cell Leukemia Patient Data Registry to enrich our collective data and facilitate collaborative research and investigation in HCL. For information on how to involve your institution, please contact Anna Lambertson by email at info@hairycellleukemia.org or by phone at +1 224.355.7201.