The Association’s Research Program supports two different types of scientific research: basic and clinical. Basic science is concerned with trying to understand the function of cells and the disease process; this type of research generally is conducted in a laboratory under controlled settings. Clinical science takes what is learned through basic science and applies it directly to the treatment of patients. The two forms of research compliment each other and are necessary in the quest for better treatments and a cure.

Clinical scientific efforts are supported through the Association’s Research Program via the Histiocyte Society’s active clinical trails (also called treatment protocols). In the past, the Association has financially supported the LCH I, LCH II, HLH 94 and HLH 2004 studies. Currently, support is still being provided for the LCH III study, and the Association has pledged to continue that support with the LCH IV study that is slated to be opened in early 2009.

Basic scientific research efforts are funded via program’s annual Research Grant Awards. The first awards were distributed in 1992, when eight projects were each granted $10,000. By January 2008, the Association had awarded 117 projects, for a total of $3.2 million dollars. While those initial projects received only $10,000 each, the Association now awards an average of $50,000 per project.

Learn more about the Research Grant Funding Process