Exploring clonal diversity in paediatric B-cell leukaemia to identify new therapeutic weakness

Investigators: Sebastien Malinge, Rishi Kotecha, Laurence Cheung, Denise Anderson, Timo Lassmann

Project description

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL) is the most common type of cancer seen in children. In recent decades, the survival of children with B-ALL has significantly improved with risk-adapted therapy, but many children still continue to suffer from treatment-related toxicity and relapse. Our aim is to identify which cancer cells are resistant to treatment by using models we have established in the laboratory. Understanding the behaviour of every single leukaemia cell in reponse to therapy will allow us to develop new drug therapies and monitor their efficacy in destroying resistant cells. The outcome of our project is to provide new tools to help clinicians identify treatment resistant cells , to better predict and prevent relapses, with a view to improving the care and well-being of children with B-ALL.

Collaborators:

• Thomas Mercher (Gustav Roussy Institute, France)
• Jean-Pierre Bourquin (University Children's Hospital Zurich, Switzerland)
• John Crispino (Northwestern University, USA)
• Ryan Lister (University of Western Australia)
• Alistair Forrest (Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research Inc)
• Thierry Besson (Rouen University, France)

Partners: 

• Child Cancer Research Foundation
• Lejeune Foundation