Understanding chemotherapy resistance in Mixed LIneage Leukaemia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding and overcoming chemotherapy resistance of Mixed Lineage Leukaemia
IRAS ID
235278
Contact name
Maria Teresa Esposito
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Roehampton
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Leukaemias are heterogeneous forms of blood cancer. Mixed Lineage Leukaemia is a particularly aggressive form of leukaemia arising as a result of a mutation involving the gene MLL. MLL-leukaemia responds poorly to chemotherapy, 5-year survival ranges from 25% to 50%. The molecular mechanisms underpinning the chemotherapy resistance are unknown.
Activation of cell survival pathways, DNA damage repair and escape of cell cycle checkpoints are among the main mechanisms implicated in development of chemotherapy resistance.
The University of Roehampton, in collaboration with Barts Cancer Institute, aims at investigating the mechanisms underpinning the development of chemotherapy resistance in MLL-leukaemia, developing new tailored therapeutic strategies and define new prognostic markers for this disease. By using multiple in vitro cell models (human cell lines, human primary samples) and in vivo models (syngeneic and patient-derived xenograft) and cellular and molecular biology techniques we aim at dissecting the molecular mechanisms underpinning chemotherapy resistance in MLL-leukaemia. The data obtained will help identify novel therapeutic targets and prognostic markers for this incurable disease.REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/WM/0428
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jan 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion