Dr. Spurgeon’s research focuses on translating lab findings into new therapies in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma, particularly mantle cell lymphoma. Dr. Spurgeon has a  special interest in: 1) unlocking the importance of cell signaling in lymphoid cancer pathogenesis, 2) identifying new therapeutic targets, 3) developing novel clinical trials, and 4) designing personalized treatment approaches.CLL:  Specifically, he is interested in the role of tyrosine kinases and B cell receptor (BCR) mediated signaling in leukemogenesis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). He hopes to develop kinase directed treatment approaches for CLL. He also is interested in determining if in vitro kinase targeted drug screens can help predict in vivo response to anti-leukemic therapy. This includes collaborations with Dr. Marc Loriaux, Dr. Jeffrey Tyner and Dr. Brian Druker in the Center for Cell Signaling. Lymphoma: In collaboration with Dr. Craig Okada at OHSU and Dr. Elliot Epner at Penn State, Dr. Spurgeon is exploring the role of epigenetic therapy in B cell malignancies especially in mantle cell lymphoma. Specifically, he is conducting an early phase clinical trial using cladribine, rituximab and vorniostat in relapsed B cell malignancies and newly diagnosed mantle cell lymphoma and CLL. This study evaluates DNA methylation patterns in patients on therapy and hopes to identify important target genes modified by this combination therapy.