DFF is supporting transformative research at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine to understand how benign fibroids can evolve into aggressive uterine cancers.
This work is unlocking new biomarkers, new drug targets, and new hope for non-hormonal treatments in women’s health.
Lead Investigators: Serdar E. Bulun, MD; Jian-Jun Wei, MD; Ping Yin, MD, PhD
Institution: Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine
Clinical Challenge
- Uterine smooth muscle tumors, including leiomyoma, leiomyoma with bizarre nuclei (LM-BN), and leiomyosarcoma (LMS), are among the most common neoplasms in women. Leiomyomas (fibroids) are benign and affect up to 80% of women yet lack effective long-term treatments. In contrast, leiomyosarcoma is a rare, aggressive malignancy with no reliable biomarkers to distinguish it from benign fibroids.
DFF-Supported Innovations
- Identified TDO2 as a key driver of leiomyoma (fibroid) growth and a promising therapeutic target.
- Discovered dystrophin gene loss unique to leiomyosarcoma establishing a potential diagnostic biomarker.
- Provided the first molecular evidence that certain leiomyosarcoma evolve from leiomyomas with bizarre nuclei (LM-BN).
- Initiated development of a first-in-class, non-hormonal TDO2 inhibitor for fibroid treatment.
Scholarly Output
- Five major peer-reviewed papers.
- Seven invited national & international presentations (USCAP, Yale, ASGO Taipei).
- Multiple abstracts and posters presented at NIH, USCAP, and global conferences.
Follow-On Funding
- NIH/NIEHS R01: Environmental pollutants & AHR pathway in fibroids.
- NICHD X01: Computational screening of TDO2 inhibitors.
- Ryan Family Research Fund: Development of first-in-class TDO2 inhibitors.
DFF-Funding Impact
- Advanced understanding of fibroid-to-sarcoma molecular transformation.
- Catalyzed discoveries in fibroid research, including new therapeutic targets, diagnostic biomarkers, and potential first non-hormonal oral therapy for uterine fibroids.
- Secured significant follow-on funding from NIH and institutional partners.
- Advanced women’s health through collaborative, translational research.
“The support from Diana’s Fibroid Foundation was instrumental to our recent discoveries and securing additional grants to accelerate our uterine fibroid research. We are deeply grateful for their partnership.” Serdar E. Bulun, MD
