Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL2030)

Program Goals

The goals of the HCL2030 grant program are focused on four major efforts:

1. Uncovering novel features of cHCL biology
2. Understanding the distinguishing features of HCLv and applying that knowledge in the clinic
3. Translating new medical knowledge into clinical applications and testing novel treatments in patients through clinical trials
4. Applying the HCL registry created by HCLF (Andritsos et al, 2023) to examine long-term outcomes and quality of life

These activities should be driven ultimately by the overarching goal to improve patient outcomes and cure this disease.

Examples of projects of potential interest include:

• Studies of cellular activities that underlie the behavior and vulnerabilities of HCL cells including the role of novel signaling pathways, epigenetic alterations, metabolic vulnerabilities, cellular interaction with the microenvironment, and regulation of aberrant cell morphology
• Development of novel immunotherapies targeting unique or abundant HCL cell surface markers
• Exploration of novel combination therapies with the potential to provide improved efficacy and extended relapse-free survival
• Studies into the molecular basis of HCLv and alternative therapies to treat the disease
• Investigations into resistance mechanisms including immune evasion, resistant clone evolution, failure of B-RAF or RAS pathway inhibitors, and cellular changes underlying disease relapse
• Development and use of in vitro or in vivo systems to model HCL, including novel cell culture systems, patient-derived xenographs (PDX) and other animal models
• Development and evaluation of reliable surrogate blood-borne markers to predict progression-free survival, detect early relapses, or justify early interception in the 10-20% of “watch and wait” patients with HCL or those previously treated for HCL

Funding Mechanisms

HCLF and LLS have collaborated to support up to seven (7) new grant awards through a Second Request for Proposals, as follows:

Laboratory to Clinical Research Grants (LCRGs)

• Projects focused on translational research, including basic research if justified, that has relevance to therapeutic development
• Project led by a single Principal Investigator (PI) but may have one co-PI
• 3 years of support, with the third-year funding dependent on progress assessment at end of year 2
• Cost not to exceed $250,000/yr ($750,000 total), including indirect costs
• Indirect costs (institutional overhead) capped at 10% of the total grant award; our goal is to maximize funds directed to actual research
• Funds intended for flexible use may include salaries (capped at 40%), equipment, supplies, or personnel. Refer to the budget section of this document for more details
• A Patient Involvement Plan (PIP) is required for LCRGs if a clinical trial is involved

Collaborative Team Grants (CTGs)

• Projects focused on the development and implementation of novel clinical trials that are feasible within the time period of the grant
• Program activities can include pre-clinical development and correlative studies
• Either one trial with supporting correlative work or multiple projects with related but distinct approaches that contribute to a transformational advance in the treatment of HCL
• Up to 4 investigators (Project Leaders) led by a Program Director (PD)
• Funding for core facilities (e.g., chemistry, genomics, animal models, computation) may be included but cannot exceed 20% of the total cost
• Up to 4 years of support
• Cost not to exceed $625,000/yr ($2,500,000 total), including indirect costs; more focused applications may not require the maximum amount of funding
• Indirect costs (institutional overhead) capped at 10% of the total grant award; our goal is to maximize funds directed to actual research
• Funds intended for flexible use may include salaries (capped at 40%), equipment, supplies, or personnel
• Demonstration of other financial support for the proposed work from industry or other NFPs, which leverages funding provided by HCLF and LLS is encouraged
• A Patient Involvement Plan (PIP) is required for CTG grants

How to apply

• Download the program documents from above
• Is this your first time applying for an LLS Research grant? You can get started by requesting a new account in the LLS Research Portal by clicking here.
• Applicants must carefully read the program guidelines before beginning their applications.
• See the table below for all the key dates and deadlines:

2025-2026 Application Key Dates