Myeloid neoplasms

Problem

In recent years there have been important advances in the treatment of patients with haematologic neoplasms. But for a significant proportion of these patients, the benefits obtained, in terms of both treatment response and survival, are still limited. In view of this situation, greater knowledge of the biology of these neoplasms is sure to contribute to the improvement of therapeutic results and, therefore, of the prognosis and survival of patients.

Approach

The strategy of the group is to seek molecular alterations that can be used as therapeutic targets for tackling haematological neoplasms.

It also seeks to improve knowledge of the micro-environment in which neoplastic cells proliferate, along with the body's physiological defence mechanisms against this growth.

Impact

The results of the group’s research have improved: the molecular definition of certain types of acute myeloblastic leukaemia; the establishment of correlations between the molecular phenotype and clinical-haematological data; and the prognosis for patients with chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms and various types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It has also contributed to implementing new treatments for patients with myeloma and other monoclonal gammopathy.