The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has selected Owen N. Witte, M.D. for its prestigious de Villiers International Achievement Award. His significant contributions to understanding the cause of certain blood cancers and immune disorders have led to the development of improved therapies for patients.

The award was presented at the Society's annual Journey of Hope Research Award Dinner on October 1 in Washington, D.C.

Significantly, Witte's work over the past 20 years has resulted in an understanding of the molecular consequences of the Ph (Philadelphia) chromosome abnormality, which is present in the cells of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and related types of acute leukemia. By defining the molecular target, a mutant tyrosine kinase, he provided the basis that ultimately led to the development of the breakthrough drug, Gleevec, now used as a frontline therapy for patients with CML.

"Dr. Witte's years of research laid the groundwork for a milestone in the treatment of leukemia," said Dwayne Howell, president and chief executive officer of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. "His work has given hope to thousands of patients, and we are proud to recognize his great accomplishments in the fight against these life-threatening diseases."

Witte is a researcher with UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center and an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at UCLA, where he is a professor of microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics and holds the President's Chair in Developmental Immunology. He is also a professor of molecular and medical [harmacology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

In addition to his own achievements, Dr. Witte has a long-standing interest in the education of physician scientists. He currently holds the position of director of the UCLA Medical Scientist Training Program, which provides combined M.D. and Ph.D. training for a highly select group of medical students.

Witte received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his medical degree from Stanford University. Over the span of his career, Dr. Witte has been the recipient of numerous cancer research and hematology awards, including the Milken Foundation Award in Basic Cancer Research, the Rosenthal Award of the American Association for Cancer Research, and the Dameshek Prize of the American Society of Hematology.

Witte is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Academy of Microbiology. He also serves on the editorial board of Cell, Journal of Clinical Investigation, among other publications. He is active with multiple foundations and advisory boards including the Pew Scholars in Biomedical Science, The Damon Runyon Scholars Board, and the CaP CURE Research grants program.

About the de Villiers International Achievement Award

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's de Villiers International Achievement Award and grant was created in 1953 to recognize outstanding research contributions that advance the treatment of prevention of leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma. The award is named for the founders of the Society, the de Villiers family, whose son, Robert, died of leukemia. The award is the Society's highest scientific honor, and consists of a medal and a grant of $100,000 over a two-year period to support a research fellow in the laboratory of the honoree.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, headquartered in White Plains, NY, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society's mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society has provided more than $358 million for research specifically targeting blood cancers, including more than $110 million from 2001 to 2003. For more information, visit www.LLS.org.