RESEARCH GROUPS


Dr. Suzanne Turner

University of Cambridge

Institute Link

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 Merkel

Medical University Vienna

Institute Link

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 Egger

Medical University of Vienna

Institute Link

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

Medical University Vienna

Institute Link

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,
Assoc. Prof. Andrea Janíková

Masaryk University

Institute Link

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)

Publication Link (AJ)

Contact CEITEC

Kamenice 753/5

Brno – Bohunice 625 00, Czech Republic

Phone: +420532234622

E-mail: sarka.pospisilova@ceitec.muni.cz
E-mail: janikova.andrea@fnbrno.cz

Prof. Falko Fend,
Prof. Leticia Qunitanila-Fend

University of Tübingen

Institute Link

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)

Publication Link (LQF)

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
E-mail: leticia.quintanilla-fend@med.uni-tuebingen.de


Prof. Carlo Gambacorti Passerini

Università degli Studi Milano-Bicocca

Institute Link

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 Brousset

The Cancer Research Centre of Toulouse (CRCT)

Institute Link

brousset

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:
Sylvie Giuriato, E-mail: sylvie.giuriato@inserm.fr
Estelle Espinos E-mail: estelle.espinos@inserm.fr

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:
Fabienne Meggetto, E-mail: fabienne.meggetto@inserm.fr
Laurence Lamant, E-mail: lamant.l@chu-toulouse.fr

Publications Publication Link (SG)

Publication Link (PB)

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

Charité – University Medicine Berlin

Institute Link

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 Chiarle

Claudia Voena

University of Torino

Institute Link

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

  • ALK-driven transformation with in vitro and in vivo models
  • Mechanisms of chromosomal translocation formation in different tissues
  • Cancer Immunotherapy of ALK-driven cancers

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,
Dr. Christine Damm-Welk

Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, NHL-BFM study centre

Institute Link

dammwelk

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
E-mail: Christine.Damm-Welk@paediat.med.uni-giessen.de

Dr. Laurence Brugieres,
Dr. Veronique Minard

Institute Gustave-Roussy

Institute Link

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
E-mail: Veronique.MINARD@gustaveroussy.fr


Prof. Bengt Hallberg,
Prof. Ruth Palmer

University of Gothenburg

Institute Link (BH)

Institute Link (RP)

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)

Publication Link (RP)

Contact Medicinaregatan 9 a

413 90, Göteborg

Phone: +46 31 7863815

E-mail: bengt.hallberg@gu.se
E-mail: ruth.palmer@gu.se

Prof. Justus Duyster,
Dr. Lena Illert

University Hospital Freiburg

Institute Link

illert

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)

Publication Link (LI)

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
E-Mail: lena.illert@uniklinik-freiburg.de


Prof. Giorgio Inghirami

Weill Cornell Medical College

Institute Link

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
New York, NY 10065
P: (212) 746-2442 |

E-Mail: ggi9001@med.cornell.edu

George Rassidakis, MD, PhD

Karolinska Institute

Institute Link

Publication Link (SP)
Research Topic Lymphoma and Leukaemia Research
Research Interest

  • NPM-ALK signalling
  • AP-1 transcription factors in anaplastic large cell lymphoma oncogenesis
  • mTOR pathway in lymphomagenesis and leukemogenesis
  • Re-activation of p53 as a therapeutic target in lymphomas

Publications
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
E-Mail: georgios.rassidakis@ki.se

georgios.rassidakis@sll.se


Dr. Lara Mussolin

University of Padua – Paediatric Research Institute (Italy)

Institute Link


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
Fax.+39 049 964 0150