DHL simultaneously activates multiple cancer-causing oncogenes, making it very difficult to treat with frontline chemotherapy. While inactivating oncogenes with targeted therapy effectively kills tumor cells, this effect is limited by relapse and treatment resistance. In contrast, immunotherapies can provide a long-term survival benefit but are less effective with DHL because of reduced expression of the common anti-cancer immunotherapy, CD20. Li believes that combining the treatment approaches in a targeted therapy that suppresses oncogenes together with anti-CD20 immunotherapy holds great promise.

A third CPRIT grant awarded Houston Methodist $4 million to further the RNAcore’s evolution from a research and clinical-grade RNA provider to the only academic group in the U.S. to provide integrated RNA therapeutics services that span from the conception of an idea to commercialization.