Blood Theme
The objectives of the Blood Theme is to develop and implement novel biologically based advances that transform clinical outcomes for patients with common blood disorders and for patients who need blood component transfusions.
We aim to deliver:
1. Novel anti-cancer stem cell antibody therapies targeted against cancer stem cell antigens (e.g. anti-CD47), in collaboration with the Cancer Theme.
2. Improvements in clinical transplantation of alternative donor stem cells (e.g. umbilical cord blood stem cells) using novel approaches to track, expand, and immunodulate the graft.
3. Practice-changing advances in blood transfusion component prescribing through clinical trials and advances in electronic prescribing systems (in collaboration with Biomedical Informatics and Technology – BIT Theme).
4. Extensive mutation profiles through new genomic technologies on samples from patients with blood tumours (especially leukaemias) to provide more accurate diagnosis and to guide therapy (collaboration with Genomic Medicine Theme).The BRC funding to the Blood Theme has enabled us to work towards establishing appropriate clinical research infrastructure. Research within the Blood Theme focuses on the identification and monitoring of leukaemia stem cells in both acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
In addition we have been evaluating the role of a newly identified protein in the expansion of haematopoietic stem cells. We have established a state-of-the-art molecular diagnostics facility. This facility underpins all of the clinical trial work in haematology but there is also a focus on CLL research.
We are also in the early stages of developing a clinical trial to assess the potential of regulatory T cells in the management of graft versus host disease. We have an interest in the assessment of microRNAs in the classification and prognosis of lymphoma, and are proposing a PhaseI/II clinical trial using immunotherapy for the management of diffuse large B cell lymphoma.
