Our research into leukaemia
Leukaemia is a cancer of the white blood cells, and there are several different types. You can find out more about the different types of leukaemia on our patient information website, CancerHelp UK.
People diagnosed with leukaemia today are now four times as likely to survive their disease beyond 10 years as those diagnosed in the early 1970s. Our scientists have played a key role in developing drugs used to treat people with leukaemia. They continue to investigate the causes of the disease and are also searching for new ways to improve treatments.
Below are some of the highlights of our research into leukaemia.
On this page
Cancer genes
Prof Jim Neil
Molecular Oncology Laboratory
University of Glasgow, Glasgow
Investigating the faulty genes in leukaemia
Professor Jim Neil is an expert in the faulty genes at the heart of leukaemia – cancer of white blood cells. He and his team at the University of Glasgow are investigating a family of genes called RUNX, which are involved in the development of healthy blood cells, but can also drive the growth of leukaemia if they are faulty.
Professor Claus Nerlov
Institute for Stem Cell Research
University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
Stem cells and faulty genes at the heart of cancer
Professor Claus Nerlov is an expert in stem cells – the ‘immortal’ cells that produce all the different tissues of the body. There is an increasing amount of evidence to show that rogue stem cells may lie at the heart of many different types of cancer, including leukaemia. Professor Nerlov and his team are searching for the faulty genes that drive the growth of leukaemia stem cells, and developing drugs to target them.
Prof Kathy Pritchard-Jones
Institute of Child Health
University College London, London
Investigating the genetics of children's cancer
Professor Kathy Pritchard-Jones is one of the UK's foremost experts in childhood cancer, and programme director for cancer at University College London (UCL). She and her team of dedicated scientists and clinicians are carrying out research at the Institute of Child Health - part of UCL. Their aim is to identify genetic faults that can lead to certain childhood cancers. This could help predict how well a child could respond to treatment, whether the cancer will return and how long a child will survive.
Prof Bryan Young
Medical Oncology Laboratory
Barts & the London School of Medicine & Dentistry, London
Investigating faulty genes that cause leukaemia
Professor Bryan Young is studying the faulty genes and molecules that lead to leukaemia, a cancer of the white blood cells. His research focuses on acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), the commonest leukaemia in adults.
Clinical trials
Professor Andrew Pettitt
Department of Haematology, School of Cancer Studies
University of Liverpool, Liverpool
Improving treatment for lymphoma
Professor Andrew Pettitt is a leading expert on leukaemia and lymphoma at the University of Liverpool. He is researching ways to improve treatments for these diseases, and is part of the Liverpool Cancer Research UK Centre.
Personalised medicine
Professor Andrew Pettitt
Department of Haematology, School of Cancer Studies
University of Liverpool, Liverpool
Improving treatment for lymphoma
Professor Andrew Pettitt is a leading expert on leukaemia and lymphoma at the University of Liverpool. He is researching ways to improve treatments for these diseases, and is part of the Liverpool Cancer Research UK Centre.
Stem cells
Dr Dominique Bonnet
Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory
Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, London
Stem cells and leukaemia
Dr Dominique Bonnet and her team at our London Research Institute are looking for ways to improve treatments for leukaemia. They are exploring the role of special cells in the blood, known as haematopoietic stem cells.These fascinating cells can transform into many different types of mature blood cell, including red blood cells that carry oxygen and white blood cells that fight infection.
Dr Cristina Lo Celso
Department of Life Sciences
Imperial College, London
Fighting for space – studying stem cells in leukaemia
Dr Cristina Lo Celso works in the Centre for Regenerative Medicine at Imperial College London. She is studying the rogue cells that lie at the heart of leukaemia, with the aim of developing more effective, kinder treatments in the future.
Prof Tessa Holyoake
Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre
Gartnavel Hospital, University of Glasgow, Glasgow
Targeting leukaemia at its roots
Professor Tessa Holyoake is Director of the Paul O’Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre at Glasgow’s Gartnavel Hospital. Her pioneering lab work focuses on how cancer stem cells can trigger the return of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), a cancer affecting the blood. Her research could lead to new treatments that specifically target and kill stem cells, improving long-term survival and quality of life for people with CML.
Professor Claus Nerlov
Institute for Stem Cell Research
University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
Stem cells and faulty genes at the heart of cancer
Professor Claus Nerlov is an expert in stem cells – the ‘immortal’ cells that produce all the different tissues of the body. There is an increasing amount of evidence to show that rogue stem cells may lie at the heart of many different types of cancer, including leukaemia. Professor Nerlov and his team are searching for the faulty genes that drive the growth of leukaemia stem cells, and developing drugs to target them.
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