Funding of research into new therapies for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in children.
Thanks to the collected amounts and the donations of our supporters, we have been able to cofinance a major research project on acute myeloid leukemia cured by the highest representative of the medicine in this field, Prof. Franco Locatelli, who treated our Gabriele.
During 2016 and 2017 we will continue to raise funds to support this project that we care about very much.
Research Title: epigenetic inhibitors in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia of childhood with lesions of the MLL gene
Project Scientific Coordinator: Prof. Franco Locatelli
Elements of innovation of the project
This project aims to evaluate, for the first time, the potential effectiveness of personalized epigenetic treatments in AML child characterized by rearrangement of the MLL, qualifying for the ability to increase the probability of care while reducing the side effects.
Description of Units participating
Lead Unit: Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Pediatric Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome
Scientific Coordinator and Project Leader: Prof. Franco Locatelli
Researchers of the same Master Units
Dr. Rossella Rota
Dr. Alice Bertaina
Collaboration with other Italian or Foreign centers
Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University-Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA. Director: Carlo Maria Croce.
Professor Carlo Maria Croce
Expected results
We expect that the results of this research project: (i) give indications regarding the therapeutic response with combination therapies with new specific drugs with reference to epigenetic molecular circuits; (ii) may highlight differences between individual patients in response to these treatments in order to highlight any heterogeneity; (iii) highlighting whether the de-molecular adjustments studied are present and to what extent in patients with relapsed; (iv) help to gain a better understanding of the role of some de-gene regulations that are the basis of leukemogenesis in pediatric AML characterized by rearrangements of the MLL.
The results from the experimental projects will be disseminated to the international scientific community by at least one publication in a biomedical journal with high impact factor. At the end of the first year, we will send a scientific report of progress of work which allows the Foundation to verify compliance with the schedule of the research plan and the adherence of experimental activities carried out as detailed in this project.
