Introduction

Our research is focused on Acute Lymphoblastic Leukeamia (ALL) disease, including B-cell precursor and T-precursor ALL. We want to resolve questions that require a full range of research from from basic to clinical. We aim to provide the physician with new tools, by using basic research data that will have an impact on healthcare, in order to improve survival rates in patients with this type of leukaemia.

Our Research

The group’s current research is divided into two main areas, according to the two main subtypes distinguished in ALL:

1. Precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP-ALL): BCP-ALL is the most prevalent ALL subtype and accounts for 75% of ALL cases. Although it is a highly heterogeneous disease at genetic level, different cytogenetic subtypes have been identified and, more importantly, their prognosis has been clearly established in many clinical trials. This has allowed clinicians to stratify patients according to their genetic profile to schedule intensive or less intensive treatments.
2. T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL): T-ALL is the least common ALL subtype (25% of adult ALL cases), and the most complex and heterogeneous at genetic level, with a dismal prognosis. to improve the survival rate of patients with T-ALL, we first need to obtain detailed and relevant molecular information to accurately define the risk and thus decide on the treatment.

Our Goals

We are convinced that new treatments for ALL patients can be obtained only through basic research. Therefore, our goals are:

1. To identify the genetic alterations leading to treatment resistance and disease recurrence in adult ALL.
2. To accurately define the risk of ALL by genetic analysis at diagnosis and relapse in order to decide on the most appropriate treatment.

Our Challenges

Although ALL is a rare form of cancer, it has a huge impact on patients, their relatives and the health system. To find new therapies and provide new knowledge, our research hopes to: 1. Decipher the genetic complexity of ALL at both diagnosis and relapse. 2. Identify critical genetic lesions in ALL cells that could be targetable with new drugs.