Dr. Suzanne Turner
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Research Topic | Paediatric lymphoma and neuroblastoma |
Research Interest | Suzanne D. Turner, PhD is a Reader in tumour biology and pathology at the University of Cambridge. She directs a research group investigating mechanisms of ALK-induced malignancies and has contributed significantly to our understanding of the carcinogenic process having created one of the first murine models of ALK-induced tumour formation. In particular, mechanisms relating to the role of the T cell receptor in ALK-induced lymphomagenesis are an interest of the Turner group. |
Publications | Publication Link |
Contact | Division of Molecular Histopathology
Lab Block Level 3, Box 231 Addenbrooke’s Hospital Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK Telephone: +44 (0)1223 762655 E-Mail: sdt36@cam.ac.uk |
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Olaf MerkelMedical University Vienna |
Research Topic | Molecular profiling and apoptosis regulation in lymphoma |
Research Interest | Olaf Merkel is a lecturer in cancer therapeutics and an experienced biochemist. His main research interests are B and T-cell lymphomas. The focus of his group are non-coding RNAs, in particular miRNA and their impact on oncogenesis and cell survival. In particular, he is interested in the role of the oncogenic miR-155 and miR-17-92 clusters. Moreover, recently he became interested in cytokine regulation by BATF and cJUN in T-cell lymphomas. Also how cytokine signals are then transduced to the nucleus by the JAK/STAT pathway. Kinases in this pathway are potential therapeutic targets. |
Publications | Publication Link |
Contact | Institute for Clinical Pathology
Medical University of Vienna (MUV) Währinger Gürtel,18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria Vienna, Austria Tel:+43-1-40400-63900 Mobile: 0043-664-9697337 E-Mail: olaf.merkel@meduniwien.ac.at |
Dr. Gerda EggerMedical University of Vienna |
Research Topic | Epigenetics of ALK dependent cancers |
Research Interest | Gerda Egger is lecturer on epigenetics and tumour biology since 2009. She directs a research group studying the impact of epigenetics in different diseases including cancer. Using mouse models we are trying to understand how epigenetic aberrations are generated and how they can be reversed and remodelled. We are using genome-scale analyses to define targets of differential DNA methylation in patient samples to define epigenetic biomarkers and to discover epigenetic drivers of different pathologies. |
Publications | Publication Link |
Contact | Clinical Institute of Pathology
Währinger Gürtel 18-20 1090 Vienna, Austria Phone: +43 1 40400 63890 E-Mail: gerda.egger@meduniwien.ac.at |
Prof. Lukas Kenner
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Research Topic | AP-1 in Lymphoma formation |
Research Interest |
Lukas Kenner is board certified pathologist and an internationally acknowledged expert in comparative pathology. His research interest is the exploration of molecular mechanisms in neoplastic disease, their functional relevance for tumor progression and potential for clinical i8mprovements through diagnostic and prognostic measures. He has generated several transgenic mouse models for investigating the roles of AP-1 and PDGFRB in NPM-ALK transgenic mice. |
Publications | Publication Link |
Contact | Clinical Institute for Pathology
Medical University of Vienna Währinger Gürtel,18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria phone: +43 1 40400 – 36500 E-Mail: lukas.kenner@meduniwien.ac.at |
Prof. Šárka Pospíšilová,
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Research Topic | Genomics of lymphoproliferative disorders; role of p53 abnormalities in cancer |
Research Interest | Prof. Sarka Pospisilova is head of the research center of Molecular Medicine in CEITEC, MU and also works in the department of Internal Medicine – Hematology and Oncology in the University Hospital Brno. She coordinates national and international research projects in leukaemia and lymphoma and is a member of the board of the European Research Initiative on CLL (ERIC) within the European Leukaemia Net. Her research group studies the genomic background of ALK-related malignancies (with application of NGS and array technologies) and the role of the p53 pathway and microRNAs in these tumours.
Assoc. Prof. Andrea Janíková is a head of Lymphoma working group of the Hematology and Oncology Department, University Hospital Brno. She is responsible for diagnostic and clinical management of lymphoma patients, clinical data and samples logistics. She is a board member of Czech Lymphoma Study Group, which is the national organization unifying all universities and covering more than 85% of all newly diagnosed systemic lymphomas in the Czech Republic. |
Publications | Publication Link (SP) |
Contact | CEITEC
Kamenice 753/5 Brno – Bohunice 625 00, Czech Republic Phone: +420532234622 E-mail: sarka.pospisilova@ceitec.muni.cz |
Prof. Falko Fend,
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Research Topic | Molecular Hematopathology |
Research Interest | Prof. Falko Fend is head of the Department of Pathology and has a long track record in lymphoma research, molecular pathology and as a diagnostic hematopathologist. Prof. Quintanilla-Martinez de Fend, senior staff member and group leader, is a renowned hematopathologist with a long track record in lymphoma research and is an active leading member of international societies and groups in the field. Our research interests include the pathobiology of ALCL, genetics of early stages of lymphoma and the advancement of molecular diagnostics in hematopathology. |
Publications | Publication Link (FF) |
Contact | Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology
University Hospital Tuebingen Eberhard-Karls-University Liebermeisterstrasse 8 72076 Tuebingen, Germany Phone: 0049/7071-29-82266 E-mail: falko.fend@med.uni-tuebingen.de |
Prof. Carlo Gambacorti Passerini
|
Research Topic | Clinical research into disease mechanisms of neoplastic disease |
Research Interest |
Prof. Carlo Gambacorti-Passerini is a leading physician in the field of oncogenic fusion proteins and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. He has contributed significantly to the development of imatinib for the treatment of CML and successfully pioneered an ALK+ lymphoma patient therapy with ALK inhibitors. His research centers on identifying the molecular pathogenesis of hematological cancers using genome sequencing. He is interested in molecular mechanisms governing the transition from chronic phase to blast crisis in CML. In addition he is engaged in target validation of oncogenic fusion genes, structural characterization and screening of small-molecule inhibitors and new tyrosine kinase inhibitors to overcome therapy resistance in patients with ALK+ lymphomas. |
Publications | Publication Link |
Contact | Via Pergolesi 33
20900 Monza, Italy Phone: 0039 0392339553 E-mail: carlo.gambacorti@unimib.it |
Prof. Pierre BroussetThe Cancer Research Centre of Toulouse (CRCT) |
Research Topic | RNA biology in hematological cancers |
Research Interest |
The research group of Pr Brousset explores the expression profiles and functions of microRNAs, snoRNAs and lncRNAs in hematological malignancies (including anaplastic large cell lymphoma) but also the interaction between non-coding RNA and RNA-binding proteins. 1) Role and regulation of autophagy in ALCL Autophagy is an emerging cancer research field. Depending on the tumor context, it can harbor pro-survival or pro-death functions. Our research interest is to understand its status, role and regulation (in particular post-transcriptionnal regulation through microRNA and/or RNA-Binding proteins) in different ALK(+) primary tumors and cell lines. We specifically aim to: determine the role of autophagy, using classical autophagy assays, in ALCL, NSCLC and neuroblastoma cell lines and mouse models; test whether autophagy modulation can potentiate the efficacy of ALK therapies (targeted-, chemo- and immuno-therapies); investigate the regulation of autophagy by miRNAs and/or RNA-BPs. Contacts: 2) MicroRNAs and epigenetics We focus on silencing of microRNAs by DNA methylation as mediators of drug resistance in NPM-ALK(+) ALCL. We have published that changes in microRNA expression and DNA methylation are causally involved in tumorigenesis of NPM-ALK(+) ALCL (Desjobert et al, Blood, 2011; Dejean et al, Leukemia, 2011). We hypothesize that hypomethylating drugs, alone or in combination with other agents, may benefit ALK(+) patients harboring tumors resistant to chemotherapy or to anti-ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (Hoareau-Aveilla, JCI, 2015). Using NPM-ALK(+) ALCL cell lines, a transgenic mouse model of ALK dependent lymphoma (Giuriato et al, Blood, 2010), murine and patients NPM-ALK(+) xenograft models and primary tumor samples from NPM-ALK(+) ALCL patients with or without relapse, we aim to: define microRNA and DNA methylation signature-mediated drug resistance in ALK(+) ALCL; identify new oncogenic mechanisms and microRNA targets depending on epigenetic regulation and assess the clinical relevance of these alterations to propose new therapeutic strategy in resistant ALK(+) ALCL. Contacts: |
Publications | Publication Link (SG) |
Contact | UMR1037 INSERM-UPS-ERL5294 CNRS
Team 7: RNA biology in hematological cancers Oncopole de Toulouse, Entrée C, 2 avenue Hubert Curien CS53717 31037 TOULOUSE Cedex 1 – FRANCE phone: 0033-5-82-74-15-75 |
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Dr. Stephan Mathas
|
Research Topic | Mechanisms of transformation in lymphoma |
Research Interest | Stephan Mathas works as an MD treating in particular patients suffering from malignant lymphomas and group leader at the Max-Delbrück-Centre for Molecular Medicine. His research focuses on the pathogenesis of classical Hodgkin lymphoma and ALCL, for which his laboratory has already identified key molecular defects. |
Publications | Publication Link |
Contact | Institute for Hematology, Oncology and Tumorimmunology
Charité University Medical School Campus Virchow-Klinikum 13353 Berlin, Germany Phone: 0049 30 94 06 – 28 63 E-mail: stephan.mathas@charite.de |
Dr. Roberto ChiarleClaudia VoenaUniversity of Torino |
Research Topic | In vivo models of ALK-driven tumors and ALK-targeted immunotherapy |
Research Interest | Roberto Chiarle has wide expertise in cellular biology, immunology, and molecular biology. He holds clinical qualifications for haematopathology and is currently the recipient of a double appointment as Full Professor and clinical physician at the University of Torino and as Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. RC is a pioneer in the field of ALK-related lymphoma having generated one of the first mouse models of ALK-induced ALCL. His research aims at therapeutic targeting of ALK by means of specific inhibitors, drugs and immunotherapy. His objectives are therefore to improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of
|
Publications | Publication Link |
Contact | Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences
University of Torino Via Santena, 7 – 10126 Torino, ITALY Phone: +39 011.633.6861 E-mail: roberto.chiarle@unito.it E-mail: claudia.voena@unito.it |
Prof. Wilhelm Woessmann,
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Research Topic | Molecular diagnosis of childhood ALCL; Immune response to ALK in ALCL |
Research Interest | Wilhelm Woessmann is a paediatric oncologist, co-chair of the NHL-BFM study group and an active member of the European paediatric NHL study group (EICNHL). His translational research includes biological risk factors, molecular biology and immune response against ALK in children with ALCL. |
Publications | Publication Link |
Contact |
Dept of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Justus-Liebig-University Feulgenstr. 12 35392 Giessen Phone: +49- (0) 641-985-43462 or -43400 E-mail: wilhelm.woessmann@paediat.med.uni-giessen.de |
Dr. Laurence Brugieres,
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Research Topic | Immunology of ALCL |
Research Interest | Laurence Brugieres, MD is a paediatric oncologist involved in ALCL trials since 1999. She is engaged in a research programme devoted to biological mechanisms involved in immunogenicity of ALCL in children and investigates immune responses against ALK according to the type of treatment given to the patients. |
Publications | Publication Link |
Contact | Maison du projet
39, rue Camille Desmoulins 94 800 Villejuif Phone: + 33 (0)1 42 11 50 05 E-mail: Laurence.brugieres@gustaveroussy.fr |
Prof. Bengt Hallberg,
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Research Topic | Mechanisms behind the oncogene ALK in cell and mouse model systems |
Research Interest | Bengt Hallberg has been working with receptor tyrosine kinase-mediated signalling since the beginning of the 1990’s. Recently his research has been addressing the role of ALK in the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma and has shown a dependence on ALK for MYCN transcription. He is investigating the function and importance of ALK RTK’s and differences in constitutively active ALK RTK mediated signalling at the molecular level as compared with wild type ALK in relevant cell models. This work is also carried out in mouse models which we have developed in with the aim of addressing ALK signalling in vivo.
Ruth Palmer has been working with ALK in the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster since 1996. The laboratory is investigating ALK signal transduction with an interest in its role in developmental processes employing Drosophila melanogaster and mouse model systems. Our aim is to understand the importance and function of the ALK receptor tyrosine kinase during both normal and pathological developmental process. |
Publications | Publication Link (BH) |
Contact | Medicinaregatan 9 a
413 90, Göteborg Phone: +46 31 7863815 E-mail: bengt.hallberg@gu.se |
Prof. Justus Duyster,
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Research Topic | Identification and Eradication of ALCL-Lymphoma Stem cells |
Research Interest | Prof. Justus Duyster is head of Medical Clinic for Hematology, Oncology and stem cell transplantation and has a long track record in the field of lymphoma and leukemia research and oncogenic fusion proteins. The Duyster group has previously established a murine bone marrow transplantation model and showed that retroviral NPM-ALK transduction into murine bone marrow leads to a histocytic or plasmocytic disease depending on viral titre. To induce a T-lymhoid ALCL in mice, we currently expressed NPM-ALK in a spatio-temporal manner. We will use this model to study lymphoma stem cells in NPM-ALK driven lymphomas and the eradication of the Lymphoma initiating population. Moreover, our current research involves the signal-transduction and the crosstalk between the DNA-damage stress axis in lymphoma initiation and progression. |
Publications | Publication Link (JD) |
Contact | Prof. Dr. Justus Duyster/ Dr. Lena Illert
University Medical Center Freiburg Dept. of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Hugstetter Str. 55 79106 Freiburg, Germany Tel: 0761-270-34060 Fax: 0761-270-32060 E-Mail: Justus.Duyster@uniklinik-freiburg.de |
Prof. Giorgio Inghirami
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Research Topic | Biology of lymphoproliferative disorders |
Research Interest |
The main interest of Dr. Inghirami’s laboratory involves the molecular and biological characterization of PTCL, in particular, Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL). A major effort has been devoted to the development of innovative in vitro and in vivo models to test new compounds and preclinical protocols.The development of a functional genomics laboratory and more recently of a hPDT mouse facility led to the discovery of the several molecular mechanisms leading to Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase – driven lymphomagenesis and to the discovery of targets which could be explored as sensitive molecules for innovative tailored therapies. Moreover, the transcriptional characterization of a large panel of PTCL has provided novel insights to the origin of ALCL and a diagnostic classifier for routine clinical analyses. Molecular cytogenetic analyses have recently identified a high-risk group of patients, supporting the rationale for the implementation of tailored up – front therapy for naive ALCL patients. |
Publications | Publication Link |
Contact | Department of Pathology
Hospital S. Giovanni Battista Università di Torino Via Santena 7, 10126 Torino, ITALY phone: +39 011 633 4623 Email: giorgio.inghirami@unito.it 525 East 68th Street, Starr Pavilion, 715 E-Mail: ggi9001@med.cornell.edu |
George Rassidakis, MD, PhD
Karolinska Institute |
Research Topic | Lymphoma and Leukaemia Research |
Research Interest |
|
Publications | Publication Link (SP) |
Contact |
Senior Consultant Hematopathologist Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden Adjunct Professor of Pathology Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden Adjunct Professor of Hematopathology The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA Phone (office) +46-851776162 Mobile: +46+708517667 |
Dr. Lara Mussolin
|
Research Topic | Paediatric Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Hodgkin Lymphoma |
Research Interest |
Lara Mussolin, PhD, is Assistant Professor at Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, Italy. She is responsible of molecular diagnosis of NHL of childhood for all national AIEOP (Associazione Italiana di Emato-Oncologia Pediatrica) centres. She is member of the EICNHL (European InterGroup of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma) Group for the study of Minimal Residual Disease in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) of childhood. She directs a research group aimed to identify new prognostic biomarkers in paediatric NHL. |
Publications | Publication Link |
Contact |
Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova (Italy)
www.sdb.unipd.it Via Giustiniani, 3 – 35128 Padova (Italy) Paediatric Research Institute – Fondazione Città della Speranza Corso stati Uniti 4, Padova (Italy) Tel. +39 049 821 5565 |