The Analysis of Autologous Leukaemia Specific Lymphocytes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Alder Hey Leukaemia Research\nAbsolute Lymphocyte Count Study Protocol\nThe Identification and Analysis of Autologous Leukaemia Specific Lymphocytes\n
IRAS ID
118970
Contact name
Russell Keenan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Childhood leukaemia is the most common childhood cancer. Research has made significant progress and current treatment offers a good chance of cure. However, there are still many children where the current treatment approaches cannot cure them. At Alder Hey we have been the first in the world to show that a simple blood test called absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) is a very cheap and readily available method of predicting if childhood leukaemia is going to come back or not.\nThe next step in understanding this process is a major laboratory based project with scientists working closely with clinicians to identify the cells within the ALC population that are having an anti-leukaemia effect. \n\nIt is important to understand that this work is not just to identify a useful prognostic indicator that can guide patient’s treatments. Using cell purification technologies some of which were first developed by Dr Keenan these cells could be harvested and used as a new form of leukaemia and cancer specific therapy.
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EE/0211
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion