SUMMARY
Mayo Clinic cancer researcher Susan L. Slager, Ph.D., investigates the inherited genetic basis of lymphoma, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma and Hodgkin lymphoma. She also studies hematological precursor conditions, including monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) and clonal hematopoiesis, that can transform into cancer.
Dr. Slager leads the B-cell lymphoma family registry at Mayo Clinic. This registry includes more than 500 families with a member who has a blood or lymph node cancer or precursor lesion. The families are monitored over time to better understand why biological relatives have a higher risk of any type of lymphoma than that of the general population.
In addition, Dr. Slager leads the MBL biobank. The biobank has more than 10,000 participants who have been screened for monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis. The goals of research through the biobank are to identify factors associated with developing MBL and to understand the clinical impact of living with the condition.
For more information about Dr. Slager's research, visit her lab website.
Focus areas
- Lymphoma susceptibility. Dr. Slager hopes to identify inherited genetic variants that increase the risk of lymphoma and its subtypes. She and her colleagues have identified more than 150 inherited variants that are associated with an increased risk of lymphoma, mainly associated with specific lymphoma subtypes. The next steps involve understanding how the variants biologically lead to lymphoma.
- Monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis. MBL is a hematological precancerous condition that can lead to CLL. Dr. Slager and her colleagues have shown that in families with multiple members with CLL, relatives have an increased risk of getting MBL compared with the general population. Her team has shown that people with MBL have an increased risk of lymphoma other than CLL, as well as melanoma, serious infections and reduced vaccination responses. Dr. Slager hopes to better understand the factors that predict who will develop MBL and which people with MBL will develop disease progression.
- Clonal hematopoiesis (CH). CH is a hematological precursor condition to myeloid malignancies. Dr. Slager is leading efforts to evaluate the relationship between CH and MBL and their combined impact on the risk of lymphoma, infections and other clinical outcomes using the MBL biobank.
Significance to patient care
Lymphoma can run in families. Dr. Slager's research helps scientific understanding of why lymphoma develops, who is most likely to get it, and who may have worse health outcomes. This knowledge could lead to better ways to monitor people at risk and find the disease earlier, when treatment may work better.
Professional highlights
- Endowed Professor of Lymphoma Research, Mayo Clinic, 2024-present.