Memorial Hospital Research Laboratories

Ross L. Levine, MD

Pictured: Ross Levine

Laboratory phone:

646-888-2796

E-mail:

leviner@mskcc.org

Affiliations:

Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program; Memorial Hospital Research Laboratories; Medicine; Geoffrey Beene Cancer Research Center

Research topics:

Cancer Pathology; Cell Signaling; Genetics & Genomics

The focus of the Levine lab is to improve our understanding of the genetic basis of myeloid malignancies, with a specific focus on the role of oncogenic disease alleles in the pathogenesis of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). As a postdoctoral fellow in Gary Gilliland’s lab, Dr. Levine used high-throughput sequence analysis of the tyrosine kinome to identify JAK2V617F and MPLW515L in the majority of MPN patients. More recently Dr. Levine’s lab has identified inherited disease alleles relevant to MPN and AML pathogenesis and characterized the effects of targeted therapies on signaling and outcome in MPN mouse models. Dr. Levine’s current efforts are focused on the following areas:

An Interview with Ross Levine

An Interview with Ross Levine Physician-scientist Ross Levine analyzes the genetic makeup of cancer cells to identify disease pathways. Learn more »

Identification of inherited and acquired disease alleles in MPN pathogenesis
Investigation of the role of different signaling pathways in hematopoietic transformation by activating mutations in JAK2 and MPL
Characterization of the effects of targeted therapies in MPN models and patient samples, and elucidation of the mechanisms of resistance MPN therapies using in vitro systems in order to develop additional novel therapies for MPN patients
Elucidation of the role of mutations in epigenetic modifiers, which impact methylation and chromatin state, in MPN/AML pathogenesis and therapeutic response

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Leukemias

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acute (uh-KYOOT)

Symptoms or signs that begin and worsen quickly; not chronic.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

AML

An aggressive (fast-growing) disease in which too many myeloblasts (immature white blood cells that are not lymphoblasts) are found in the bone marrow and blood. Also called acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, and ANLL.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

analysis (uh-NA-lih-sis)

A process in which anything complex is separated into simple or less complex parts.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cell (sel)

The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

genetic (jeh-NEH-tik)

Inherited; having to do with information that is passed from parents to offspring through genes in sperm and egg cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

genetics (jeh-NEH-tix)

The study of genes and heredity. Heredity is the passing of genetic information and traits (such as eye color and an increased chance of getting a certain disease) from parents to offspring.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

genomics (jeh-NOH-mix)

The study of the complete genetic material, including genes and their functions, of an organism.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

in vitro (in VEE-troh)

In the laboratory (outside the body). The opposite of in vivo (in the body).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

inherited (in-HAYR-ih-ted)

Transmitted through genes that have been passed from parents to their offspring (children).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

L

A measure of volume for a liquid, using the metric system. One L is equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (cc), 1,000 milliliters (mm), or 1.0567 quarts (qt). Also called liter.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

leukemia (loo-KEE-mee-uh)

Cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

methylation (MEH-thuh-LAY-shun)

A chemical reaction in which a small molecule called a methyl group is added to other molecules. Methylation of proteins or nucleic acids may affect how they act in the body.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

myeloid (MY-eh-loyd)

Having to do with or resembling the bone marrow. May also refer to certain types of hematopoietic (blood-forming) cells found in the bone marrow. Sometimes used as a synonym for myelogenous; for example, acute myeloid leukemia and acute myelogenous leukemia are the same disease.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

outcome (OWT-kum)

A specific result or effect that can be measured. Examples of outcomes include decreased pain, reduced tumor size, and improvement of disease.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

resistance

Failure of a cancer to shrink after treatment.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

therapeutic (THAYR-uh-PYOO-tik)

Having to do with treating disease and helping healing take place.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

transformation (TRANZ-for-MAY-shun)

In medicine, the change that a normal cell undergoes as it becomes malignant.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

View Ross L. Levine's physician profile.

Ross L. Levine is on the faculty of the
Gerstner Sloan-Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences