Leukemia

The Leukemia Scientific Focus Group at the University of Colorado Cancer Center is dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with myeloid and lymphoid leukemias through cutting-edge translational research. Our mission is to develop more effective, targeted therapies by bridging basic science and clinical application.

Our team includes leading leukemia researchers and clinicians from across the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, spanning the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Immunology, and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. This collaborative, interdisciplinary approach ensures we can tackle leukemia from multiple angles.

With major support from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, American Cancer Society, Edward P. Evans Foundation, Veterans Affairs, and other public and private organizations, we are advancing promising discoveries into investigator-initiated clinical trials.

Our core research focus is on understanding and targeting the heterogeneous population of malignant stem cells that drive leukemia development and relapse. Using primary blood and bone marrow samples donated by patients, we apply a powerful array of molecular, metabolic, and functional assays to inform therapy design. This bench-to-bedside-and-back model fosters direct collaboration with clinical hematologists and enables innovative clinical trials and correlative studies at the CU Cancer Center.

Together, we are transforming leukemia care through science, innovation, and a commitment to patients and families.