Blood Cancer
Blood cancers involve overgrowth and malignant transformation of blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets) within the bone marrow. Types of blood cancers include leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
This overgrowth of blood cells can reduce the bone marrow's ability to produce other types of cells, including immune cells, which impacts many aspects of the body, and the abnormal cells spill out into the bloodstream.
Researchers at TRI are investigating different types of blood cancer in an effort to develop improved treatments:
Lymphoma
The Blood Cancer Research group at Mater Research, led by Professor Maher Gandhi (Mater Research CEO, Director of Mater Research Institute-UQ and senior staff haematologist) is currently investigating the tumour microenvironment in lymphoma and new biomarkers for the disease. They focus on types of lymphoma including Hodgkin Lymphoma, PTLD, Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, Follicular Lymphoma and virus associated lymphomas.
Prof Gandhi is currently leading a multi-site Phase I clinical trial of cell-based immunotherapies for patients with relapsed diffuse B-cell lymphoma. Read more.
Leukaemia
The Stem Cell and Cancer Research Group at Mater Research, led by A/Prof Ingrid Winkler, are investigating the molecular mechanisms of relapse in patients with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) following chemotherapy .
UQ-Diamantina Institute researchers are investigating work closely with clinicians and have developed a program into Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) – the second most common adult leukaemia. The researchers have performed sophisticated genetic profiles on CLL patient samples and have identified key players which may be involved in the progression of the disease.
